{"id":2999,"date":"2026-03-27T19:19:35","date_gmt":"2026-03-27T18:19:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/footstepsoffreedom.nl\/?p=2278"},"modified":"2026-05-11T15:11:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T13:11:12","slug":"no-pain-no-gain-hoe-az-alkmaar-me-aan-extra-druiven-hielp-in-servie","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footstepsoffreedom.nl\/en\/no-pain-no-gain-hoe-az-alkmaar-me-aan-extra-druiven-hielp-in-servie\/","title":{"rendered":"No pain, no gain: how AZ Alkmaar helped me get extra grapes in Serbia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/p>\n\n

Day 6: The Sultans Trail from Belgrade to Sofia<\/h2>\n\n

#reflection September 10, 2025<\/p>\n\n

The body is a wonder<\/h2>\n\n

It\u2019s amazing how quickly my body recovers. I thought I wouldn\u2019t be able to move at all, as I could barely get up when I tried to go to the bathroom last night \u2013 my whole body felt so stiff and painful. However, in the morning, no pain at all. While climbing again, I do notice that I have significant muscle soreness in my calves, but that\u2019s normal when you tackle mountains again after seven months in the lowlands and walk nearly 30 km in sweltering heat.<\/p>\n\n

Fortunately, it\u2019s cloudy and there\u2019s a breeze. That helps a lot, although it\u2019s going to be 32\u00b0C again, the difference being that I leave early today. I conquer the most unpleasant part, a ridiculously steep climb, before the heat reaches its peak. To prepare myself mentally for the ascent, I enjoy a sandwich by the banks of the Danube<\/a>. It is incredibly tough, but it goes with less puffing and panting than yesterday. The muscle soreness is killer, but\u2026 no pain, no gain!<\/p>\n\n

Football connects<\/h2>\n\n

When I reach the top, I walk by a fruit stand. What a pleasant surprise! I buy delicious grapes, and the vendor asks if I am from Holland. He lets out a cry of joy when I confirm.<\/p>\n\n

“From Groningen?<\/em>“<\/p>\n\n

“No.<\/em>“<\/p>\n\n

“From Amsterdam then?<\/em>“<\/p>\n\n

“No, from Alkmaar.<\/em>” I say, thinking at the same time that he has probably never heard of that place.<\/p>\n\n

“Ohh, Alkmaar\u2026 Alkmaar yesss, AZ!!!”<\/em> He lists several players from AZ.<\/p>\n\n

“Yes, that\u2019s my team!”<\/em> I lie, as I\u2019m not at all interested in football and don\u2019t know any of the players.<\/p>\n\n

“Fantastic, fantastic.” He enthusiastically exclaims and puts an extra bunch of grapes in the bag and shakes my hand.<\/p>\n\n

Football connects, that\u2019s something I\u2019ve learned during my travels.<\/h2>\n\n

As I snack on my grapes, I walk on. The route isn’t extraordinary, but it beautifully reflects what life is like here. There’s no tourism, just a presentation of everyday life. I walk for miles through orchards filled with apples, pears, and nectarines, witnessing how the people live here, often in houses that are only half-built or quite dilapidated. Hikers speed by in their vehicles, and in the villages, you can find small shops that you might easily overlook. The residents know where to find them; advertising only costs money.<\/p>\n\n

After another 30 km on the clock, I arrive at my nice room, which I booked for two nights in Smederevo<\/a> (\u20ac20 per night). I now allow my body some rest, and it’s going to rain tomorrow, so that works out well.<\/p>\n\n

\n
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Na een loopbaan in de commerci\u00eble wereld, coaching en training, en jarenlange inzet in de vluchtelingenopvang, koos ik op mijn zestigste voor een radicale wending: ik gaf mezelf een sabbatical en trok de wereld in \u2013 te voet. Wat begon als een plan om 10.000 kilometer door Europa te wandelen, groeide uit tot iets veel groters: een nieuwe manier van leven. In negen maanden legde ik meer dan 5.500 kilometer af, met alleen mijn tent, schrijfboek, wandelkar (die ik liefdevol \u2018Wheelie\u2019 noem) en mijn barefoot schoenen. Al lopend ontdekte ik dat dit mijn pad is: een nomadisch bestaan, schrijvend onderweg. Ik geloof in het ritme van de voeten, in eenvoud, traagheid en aanwezigheid. Reizen zonder haast, leven met weinig, en onderweg de verhalen vangen die zich aandienen. Mijn missie? De schoonheid van vertraging, vrijheid en verbondenheid tastbaar maken in woorden. Ik b\u00e9n onderweg. En daar voel ik me thuis.","sameAs":["https:\/\/footstepsoffreedom.nl","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/marnix_footsteps_of_freedom\/"],"url":"https:\/\/footstepsoffreedom.nl\/en\/author\/cheersmarnix\/"}]}},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/footstepsoffreedom.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-03-27-at-16.29.46-2.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1600&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1263,"url":"https:\/\/footstepsoffreedom.nl\/en\/why-this-blog-even-if-walking-is-your-worst-nightmare\/","url_meta":{"origin":2999,"position":0},"title":"Why this blog \u2013 even if you hate hiking?","author":"Marnix van der Lijn","date":"1 May 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"ON GETTING LOST, FREEDOM AND STORIES So no, this isn\u2019t a blog about hiking routes, gear tips or how to prepare for a long-distance trek. 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