Terra Incognita

Terra Incognita - Unexplored or unknown territory

I enjoy looking at historical maps. I love reveling in how accurate mapmakers used to be when creating these maps with very little technical information or technological advancements. If you look at maps that are old enough, you will often see the latin expression "terra incognita" associated with certain areas. This designation was assigned to areas on a map which had not been explored, documented or described. Mapmakers had to guess on the contents of these areas and their imagination often got the best of them. You can see this imagination at work in the form of unicorns and dragons in the above picture. Today, there is hardly any terra incognita in the form of geography, but the "unknown" is all around you. Terra incognita once inspired exploration of new lands, new knowledge and new experiences. Today, I think 95% of people take the opposite approach. I want to be different.

I estimate 80% of the people that I have spoken with about my decision to walk Te Araroa have asked me the same question.

"Are you nervous/scared?"

I can honestly say, I am not in the least bit nervous, scared, reserved, or timid about my trek. Initially, I was shocked by these questions. "Why would I be nervous?" I would often exclaim. A few folks have interpreted this response as arrogant or egotistical. I can understand how that impression is warranted. It has most surely inspired some self-reflection. Arrogance is one of my least favorite personality traits in others. I often strive to exhibit humility, but I can see where I have failed at times. In the end, I came to the conclusion that I may be a bit arrogant, but confident is a better designation in my opinion. I respect the fact that Te Araroa could kick my country ass. I understand that life on the trail will not always be sunshine and rainbows. I know for a fact that I will make mistakes. What can I say? I'm stubborn. I've learned a lot of things in the hardest way possible.  However, through failure, comes learning. Through failure, comes improvement. Through failure, comes success. Failure does not scare me. This challenge does not make me nervous. Terra Incognita will not stop me. Bring on the dragons. Let me find the unicorns. Let the beasts of the unknown expose my weaknesses. I'm tired of guessing what is waiting on the other side of the map. 

It's time to draw. Please do not misunderstand me. I'm not claiming to be invincible. Nothing could be farther from the truth. However, I'm attempting to complete something that >95% of Americans would never consider (and that's okay; children and a "normal" life terrify me right now). I've already succeeded in my book. I'm just seeing how far I can go. 

What is terra incognita to you? Are you arrogant enough to find out?