Sar Mattheus walking to Jerusalem

On foot to Jerusalem by 2000 !
An ad in the 'koopjeskrant' attracted my attention: "Netherlands: A pilgrims eco-walk from Amsterdam to Jerusalem to improve relations between nature and people in the New Millenium. Wish me luck! Sar Mattheus, NL."
So I contacted it and a genuine pilgrim showed up. Sar Mattheus (Thijs Postma) departed symbolically on the 21 st of June 1998 (the longest day of the year) from Amsterdam. Every week-end he walked a while until he arrived in Arnhem. On the 28 th of August he left Arnhem definitely on foot to Jerusalem. Sar hopes to arrive there by year 2000. His itinerary included Paderborn, Weimar, Lichtenstein, Prague, Vienna, Boudapest, Arad, Timisoara, Vidin, Sofia, Plovdiv and Istanbul.


Istanbul On Februari the 6th of this year the pilgrim crossed over the bridge between Europe and Asia on foot. Then he continued through the Turkish inland via Eskisehir. On March the 5 th Sar arrived at the lake of Egirdir. The mountains and the biting cold are now behind him. He took a rest for a week in Olimpos (Kumluca)(March the 28th).
The purpose of his pilgrimage is that Sar wants to draw attention to the Environment and the Earth. He wants to send a message of warning to preserve the precious nature for the children of the next millenium. We cross our fingers for Sar and continue to follow him.
Look also to the site that his sister has opened for him with the report of his first months of pilgrimage. http://www.thijspostma.nl/ecowalk It is also possible to support Sar financially to help him achieving his project. He really needs it.
April the 21st 1999: Sar has arrived today in Antalya. This is the e-mail message I received from him: "Hello dear Paul, I finished today my walk from Eširdir to Antalya, I needed 6 days. Meanwhile it's getting here very hot. But it was a splendid trip throughout the wild nature and two very nice lakes. I lost my way on the second one and every-one pointed me a different direction. At last two goat shepherds helped me out and pointed me the right way. I sleep again each night in my little tent and it's a real pleasure to listen every night on my own, somewhere in the middle of the genuine nature, to the birds, frogs and to feel the fresh breeze through the trees. It's a real KICK and it makes me forget the fatigue of the day. Next day I start the journey feeling absolutely great. The day after tomorrow I'll move on. First to Perge and Side, two nice cities of the antiquity. Then along the coast, direction Alanya, where I hope I'll be able again to use the Internet. Sar Mattheus"
The 3rd of May 1999 A letter from Sar posted in Alanya
"Meanwhile I arrived in Alanya. It was a journey of 7 days from Aksu including one day of rest in a 'pansyon-camping' at the beach in Kizilot with Mustafa, a protector of sea turtles and their eggs. He's a very nice guy and he cooked deliciously. I went there also for a swimm and it made me feel fantastic... Of the two old Roman cities, Perge en Side, the first one is really the nicest, as there are still walls and pillars standing upright. At another forgotten ruin of a little church I found an old Roman bronze coin. This happened exactly on the day that I performed 8 of the 16 months on the road and a big 'M' of Mattheus was still clearly noticeable on the tail. I felt very happy with my discovery. This coastal region is very touristic with huge concrete hotels and a lot of souvenir shops. And unfortunately more buildings of this kind are in the making everywhere in that area."

The 21st of May: Mail from Sar from Silifke (Turkey) At the end I took another way than the coast line. After Alanya I returned inland, to the mountains, far from the busy roads. I was happy that I took this small winding road. It was quite difficult and a bit longer, but I didn't regret it. The scenery was fabulous with a lot of typical Turkish little villages, unknown by the tourists. I met many nice and hospitable people. Here in Silifke, I got much help from a bookseller, who is also active in environmental contacts with the press. I even made an appearance in front of the local VIP's on the seats of honour during the opening of the festival of music.

Ist of June: e-mail from Sar from Adana (Turkey) Now I have to look for a visa to walk through Syria. I have to return to the Dutch embassy in Ankara. I've already sent them a letter. I hope they can help me. Maybe the environmental organisation here in Adana can help me for traveling back to Ankara. It will take at least one week before I can continue to walk. I'll go in the direction of Iskendrun en than Hatay and further to the Syrian border.
June, the 13th 1999: Thijs went to Ankara and hoped to get a visa for Syria. This didn't work out because he's on his way to Israėl and therefore cannot continue through Syria.
June, the 19th : Letter from Thijs Thijs has arrived in Antikya, the last middlerange city in Turkey. He sent all his Israėl and Jerusalem information back to Holland, as well as his eco-walk pamflets. He will present himself well shaved and polite at the Syrian border in Kassab. He has let his hair cut and washed his clothes. This way he hopes to cross the border and get a visa for Syria. Then he will follow the Mediterranean coast to the south.
June the 21: e-mail from Thijs I'm now in Antakya and I'm preparing everything for my journey through Syria. I'm intending to cross the border near Kassab in about three days. Some people say that I can cross it without visa, other say it's impossible. I guess it will depend on the customs officer. I do hope I will succeed... Greetings.
July the 20th Sar in Palmyra. In the end Sar Mattheus has succeeded to cross the Syrian border without any problem. After a difficult journey of 4 days he reached Palmyra (160 km through the hot desert).
2nd of August mail from Damas (Syria) I achieved the way from Palmyra to Damas (240 km) in six days. It was really very hard but also a very special experience.

20th of August : Email from Jerash (Jordan) I have arrived now in Jerash - Jordan, halfway from the border and the capital Amman. I have crossed the border to Jordan without any problem the day before yesterday. I stayed almost 2 months in Syria and enjoyed it. Damas was a very interesting city, with an older center, many palaces, mosks and souks. I hope to reach Amman in about 3 days and before starting my route to Jerusalem, I intend to go and visit first Petra, as I know this must be worth seeing. The relations between Jordan and Israel are nowadays good, so there won't be any problem to cross the border.

11th of September: Sar has arrived in Petra, Jordan. I arrived meanwhile to Petra. It's really a magical place. I'll stay here a few days to rest from my 10-days journey from Amman.

4th of October: Sar Mattheus is in Aqaba, Jordan. About half October he has crossed the border with Israėl and will stay about three months in the Holy Land.
November 13th 1999 THIJS FINALLY ARRIVED IN JERUSALEM On November 8th Thijs arrived in Jerusalem. It was indeed a difficult walk through the Negev desert. He visited on his way Masada, Hebron and Bethlehem. The weather is now a few degrees colder but still sunny and warm during the day. Maybe he is going to walk around the lake of Tiberias if he needs more action.