Your own way of life.

I look up from watching my feet, my effort so far to focus myself, steel my thoughts on the task at hand. As I glance upwards I see myself surrounded by bush, greenery and all that subsitutes New Zealand wildlife. Friends in tow, we tramp on, aware that the only way we will reach our destination is to keep at it. A daunting but self satisfying thought. Forcing your feet to continue, one by one, you move on. Friends surround me, reminding me why I'm here, the reason we came. I pull my eyes back to my feet, concentrating my attention on my inadequate tramping shoes, the stones digging into my soles like they're intent on destroying my feet. The air is damp, but silent. We are all in our own worlds, concentrating on continued movement, not wanting to lag behind.

I think of the city, the bustling place we left behind to come here. It sounds mad. Leaving the temptation of a town filled with activities behind to escape to a stone track surrounded for miles by bush, trees and all things green. But its the unknown, the challenge and the struggle in life that can define you, remind you who you are and why you're here. And that's what my friends and I wanted, and what we're getting. I wouldn't trade it for anything.