A major downer for hikers Barry Gepken and Monique de Haas from Erica in their 5,000 kilometer journey to Jerusalem. Due to a serious injury at De Haas, the Drenthe will not be able to get any further for the time being.
The woman was taken to a hospital in Germany this morning where it was found that she has an acute hernia. “Shit, my soul mate has fallen out,” says Gepken. “With a hernia you can walk badly, so this is not such good news.”
The walkers started their journey to Jerusalem together with dog Maurice at the end of June. Earlier they walked 2,700 kilometers to Rome. During the route, the two want to ’empty the head’ and ‘think about things you don’t get to do otherwise’. Last week they had arrived in the German state of Thuringia. They are now well on their way to the Czech Republic.
But whether they reach that country at all remains to be seen. “A few days ago, Monique fell forward,” says Gepken. “With a backpack of several kilos it is ‘mumps’, like a domino stone. That is probably the cause of the hernia. She had a fall in her leg, slept badly and said: this will not work at all. This morning we only have to ask for help asked.”
“Maybe she needs surgery,” Gepken continues. “Then it will be a long story. We have to put our heads together and put everything together. It is a long journey to Jerusalem, maybe she can still hook up. The best would be if they could give her a miracle cure , but we both know recovery is a long one.”
Despite the setback, Gepken doesn’t give up. “We are always hopeful. We’re just going to see what we can make of it.”