If a man does a trip, he can tell a lot. If he undertakes another pilgrimage, the treasure of events and experiences is all the greater. It is no different with Bruno Schneider, who is back from the second part of his pilgrimage to Jerusalem and has a huge treasure of new experiences.
His father, or more precisely his desire to undertake a trip to the Holy Land, is a backdrop and was an incentive for Bruno Schneider to undertake a pilgrimage. The Way of St. James differed in his considerations. "Everyone is doing it," says Schneider in reflective vest. Since he also always wanted to go to Jerusalem, the idea matured and was implemented two years ago, with part one. Two years ago, it went from Overreach to Istanbul. After exactly 2930 kilometers, the plane returned home.
Now part two, which was approached with the same bicycle, stood. Front and back the flags of the countries that are going through, "and some cards and luggage." But at the start in Overreach should be one of the few difficulties. "The train did not want to transport my bike, which was packed in a carton," says Schneider. When this problem was resolved, the plane went in the direction of Istanbul, where he started part two, with 2060 kilometers ahead of him.
Schneider is going to swarm about this section. He talks about beautiful landscapes and countless beautiful experiences. Continuing along the Mediterranean coast, he had to pass thirteen road blocks and get to know the Turkish police. "These were positive encounters without exception. The policemen were interested in my travels and the many flags of the countries traveled. I'm not a footballer, "he remarks, smiling. Even political discussions were not spared, in which there were quite negative comments in the direction of President Recap Endogen.
The first great pilgrimage destination was Ephesus, where the Apostle Paul had been serving the Christian community there for several years. "It was a sublime feeling to be able to pray in the church ruins," recalls. The journey was mainly along the highway D 400 along the coast. By bicycle, 14 kilos of luggage, helmet and safety vest despite tropical temperatures, "quickly passed Antalya and Alana". The mass tourism in this area was one of the few negative impressions for Schneider. From Slake it took the ferry to Cyprus. From Lanoka in South Cyprus it was still 55 minutes by plane to Tel Aviv. He reached Jerusalem by bike after one day.
Also here were impressive experiences, such as worship at the Sea of Galilee. "That was very emotional. In a spontaneous church service, Protestant Christians from the USA, pilgrims in hi vis vest from Brazil and Japan as well as took part. A trip to Jordan to a study friend from Giessen, whom he had not seen for 37 years, concluded the trip. After almost four weeks, the plane went in the direction of Frankfurt. Here he can imagine a bicycle tour through the Maury. "But then with my wife Bettina."