Günter Spiegel
A challenge I've overcome: Stepping in the ring for my first boxing fight
A dream for my future: Falling happily in love!
A hope for the global village: less fear of difference
Brilliantly chatty and hugely engaging Günter is German but decided one day he wanted to try living as a foreigner, so one day upped and moved to London with minimal planning. Looking back he sees that choice as a little naïve, but I really admire that gutsy following of instinct and trusting in one's path, and as it turns out Günter settled well and successfully in London, working in fashion. Based in Hackney we had lots of London chat to share. Günter swims six times a week in London fields lido where my old flatmate Isabel goes almost daily in the summer, and is clearly a dear member of that community because they had messaged him just that morning in Casa Esmerelda to say they were missing him!
Our interesting chat continued throughout the afternoon with Liam and Mel and as I was really grateful for the reflections and memories we shared while wandering the rows of extravagant but crumbling tombs at Cemetery Recoleta. Something we're both agreed on is that experiencing the death of loved ones really motivates you to grab a hold of life and not put off plans and hopes.
A multi-skilled lad, Günter is really into hiking and after the South American part of his journey his plan is to head to national parks in the US to hike some more. He's also boxed for the last year and vividly remembers his first moment of stepping into the ring, to the blasted lyrics of Destiny Childs' 'Bootylicious': 'can you handle this'. Winning that first fight against an established opponent by thinking 'I'm going to enjoy this as long as it lasts', Günter attributes success in the ring above all to mental attitude. He also spoke of the moment of seeing fear in an opponent's eyes as the moment of knowing you have power over them and can win, an observation we translated in travel terms by thinking about how important it is not to be irrationally fearful as a traveler of being robbed. We spoke of how yes it's important to be sensible and alert, as you would anywhere, but also be open to people. Folk will notice your attitude in your eyes and respond to the feeling you're transmitting. (So let's share love and not fear eh?!)
And what beautiful honesty in Günter's personal wish, to fall happily in love. A wish so simple, and common amongst all of us but so rarely expressed directly in words as clear as these. Huge respect Günter, I certainly agree, I have the same dream. Wishing that your dream comes to you very soon :-)
Love starts where fear ends
Thanks for all the stimulating chat Günter.
Enjoy your travels and hopefully see you back in London lovely!
:-)
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