WHAT IS THE TEMPLAR TRAIL?
As described in
the book Along the
Templar Trail by Brandon
Wilson (2008), the Templar Trail is the approximate route followed
during the First Crusades in 1096 by Godfrey de Bouillon and his
40,000 troops from France to liberate the city of Jerusalem. It
stretches across eleven countries and two
continents.
How do the Knights Templar fit into the
story?
It took Lord
Bouillon and his troops four years to reach the Holy City. Out of
those soldiers, nine were selected to become the first Poor Knights
of Christ of the Temple of Solomon—or the first Knights Templar.
These warrior monks were honored with the duty of protecting
Jerusalem, future pilgrims, and the Temple of Solomon. Legend has
it that they also guarded the Ark of the Covenant and Holy
Grail.
Where
does the Templar Trail begin? Where does it
lead?
Beginning in
April 2006, the two men, an American and 68-year-old Frenchman,
hiked canal paths beginning in Dijon, France thru Switzerland to
Donaueschingen in southern Germany, the source of the Danube River.
There they connected with the Donau
radweg, or bicycle
path, that led them through Bavaria into Austria, then Bratislava,
Slovakia and into Hungary. From Budapest, they headed south still
following the Danube Valley on smaller bicycle paths and roads to
Belgrade, Serbia where they connected with the ancient Roman
Via
Militaris to Istanbul.
From there, their destiny eventually led them to Jerusalem—although
not exactly on the route originally envisioned.
So
this path was originally used for war?
Yes, that’s what
makes this story more than a little ironic (and symbolic), since it
involves the transformation of this road of war into a path of
peace.
Was
it a peaceful journey for the two modern
pilgrims?
No, not exactly.
Besides the conflicts that arise in any intense travel situation,
by the time they reached Belgrade, the Middle East erupted in war.
Israel and Hezbollah traded missiles, Haifa was attacked, Beirut
Airport was bombed, and southern Lebanon was evacuated. The world
press speculated that this might become the start of World War III.
Soon after, there was an attempted attack on the US Embassy in
Damascus, tourists were gunned down in Amman, Jordan, and an
Ebola-like virus erupted in eastern Turkey. It was far from your
typical trip.
How
did this turmoil affect their journey?
The men decided
to continue walking to Istanbul where they would weigh their
options and decide if, how and where to continue. Without giving
away too much of the story, let’s just say that disaster is the
mother of improvisation.
Let’s
discuss smaller details for a minute. How far did the men walk each
day?
Depending on the
availability of lodgings, they averaged 31 kilometers (20 miles) a
day.
Did
they carry a tent?
No. In order to
travel simply and reduce the weight of their packs, they counted on
staying in monasteries, pensions, or bed and breakfasts along the
way. In fact, Wilson, an ultra-light trekker, carried only a
seven-kilo (15 pound) pack.
Were
they always able to find a place to sleep?
Yes. On a few
nights it was touch-and-go, but then locals came to their
rescue.
How
long did it take to reach Jerusalem?
160 days total;
137 of those were walking days. The trail blazed was 4223
kilometers (2620 miles) or the equivalent of walking from New York
to Los Angeles.
What
was the reason for walking this trail?
In his
book, Along the
Templar Trail, Wilson
mentions three reasons for walking this trail. First, it was to
make a personal
pilgrimage as he had done on the legendary Camino Santiago across
Spain, the St. Olav’s Way across Norway, and the Via Francigena
from Canterbury to Rome. Next, he was determined to make this a
walk for peace, to remind people of the necessity to choose
non-violent means to settle our differences, especially today.
Finally, he wanted to create a peaceful path for future pilgrims to
follow to Jerusalem, a city holy to three major religions. He has
seen how these paths can be transformative where an inner peace is
attained. Pilgrims return home with increased tolerance and
understanding. That peace is then shared with their families,
colleagues at work, and communities. To that end, his new book
contains stages, distances, rough maps, photos, and a packing list
for others who follow in their footsteps.
Was
he successful in spreading his message of peace?
As word of their
mission spread, major media, including national television networks
and major newspapers in cities such as Belgrade, Sofia, Plovdiv,
and others interviewed them, spreading their message to
millions.
How
much did their walk for peace cost?
True
to the concept of making this simple trail available to everyone,
they budgeted about $30US pp/day. It was entirely self-supported
except for some gear: Montrail (Columbia) supplied Wilson’s shoes,
LEKI USA his Nordic walking sticks, and GoLite provided his
pack.
What
lessons might readers take away from this true story?
There are many.
But one theme is that each of us can make a difference in the
world. After a thousand years of conflict and destruction, the
world is ready for peace—and peace begins within. As Wilson says,
“We are all pilgrims, each on their own path, each with their own
story to tell. Walking is only a first step, but one we each can
take to discover the peace within. In that way, eventually, war
will become unconscionable. Darkness will be dispelled with
light—one person, one step at a time.”
Is this Brandon Wilson’s first book about travel and
peace?
This
is Wilson’s third book, yet his most impassioned. His first,
Yak Butter
Blues: A Tibetan Trek of Faith (2004), told of
an incredible 1,000 km. trek he and his wife made on a rugged
pilgrimage route across Tibet. Staying with Tibetan families, they
survived blizzards, Chinese bullets and slow-starvation.
It’s a riveting tale
of human endurance and intimate look at a Tibetan culture teetering
on the edge of extinction. His next, Dead Men
Don’t Leave Tips: Adventures X Africa (2005), took
readers onto the crazed roads of African adventure, while adding a
face to the world’s most misunderstood continent.