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Relish In the Tread: 3,000km By Foot Crossing Europe To Istanbul
Freddi's a stone's throw away from giving up on his first true The Road.
Instead of turning his back on his soul, he lunges onto an epic journey, walking from Rome to Istanbul. More than a travelogue, it’s an in-depth perspective on modern day pilgrimage. The mental atmosphere of long-term travelers. The sacrifices they make in the pursuit of knowledge and personal growth.
Beyond the Camino de Santiago, this novel dives into a unique lifestyle through the author’s own millions of footsteps, as he takes on the European continent with nothing more than a 12-kilogram backpack, wearing through a half dozen pairs of fake crocs along the Way.
The protagonist, Freddi, pushes his own limitations to absorb the unspoiled hospitality of Albania. And learn of culture and history in the Balkans and across the Eastern Mediterranean. He knew that forms of hospitality awaited him, and new love would be found for the road itself. What he didn't realize was the amount of loneliness he'd battle through, or some of the hard truths that came with sacrifice. From a group who bullied him with huge sticks, to nearly breaking his ankle in a grass covered ditch, many times the Way told him to quit.
***
She spoke about reading and the value of reading. I could have listened through constant rainfall without distraction. When we arrived at the Americans, she bowed her hands exactly the way Dani did back on the Camino. Said the same things as well. “For me, the Americans start,” she bowed her hands again before carrying on, “with Charles Bukowski.” That was it. I was lovestruck. “You're wrong.” Her voice was shrill. Her stoic words slapped me like a blunt object. I froze. “You need to go home”. I looked at her with the dumbfounded face of a kangaroo staring into a set of flood lights. She continued, “I listened while the others asked you things. You have so many experiences, all those years and on the Camino also. You need to go home. Stop moving – process. Let the years soothe and find their space.” I was speechless, but pined for a counterargument. “From there you can find your voice. Only from there. You’re lost until then.” This Way to Istanbul was finding my voice. A long period of time to rehash past years and find the Way for my future. She was unsympathetic, telling me to return home. My mom would have loved her. I questioned w as this pilgrimage what I needed to bring me resolution? Again, she looked me dead in the face, and read my future from the scroll of a page by something she saw beyond my eyes.
Silence. Awkward silence.
“You won't find anything until you go home. I’m sorry,” she advised with genuine empathy and concern. She pulled out a spill of hash to soften the blow. I poured her some more wine. We smiled at each other. Her first registration of my looks. Her body language flirted with me. It was too dark to see her, but my attraction to her was impossible to miss.
Instead of turning his back on his soul, he lunges onto an epic journey, walking from Rome to Istanbul. More than a travelogue, it’s an in-depth perspective on modern day pilgrimage. The mental atmosphere of long-term travelers. The sacrifices they make in the pursuit of knowledge and personal growth.
Beyond the Camino de Santiago, this novel dives into a unique lifestyle through the author’s own millions of footsteps, as he takes on the European continent with nothing more than a 12-kilogram backpack, wearing through a half dozen pairs of fake crocs along the Way.
The protagonist, Freddi, pushes his own limitations to absorb the unspoiled hospitality of Albania. And learn of culture and history in the Balkans and across the Eastern Mediterranean. He knew that forms of hospitality awaited him, and new love would be found for the road itself. What he didn't realize was the amount of loneliness he'd battle through, or some of the hard truths that came with sacrifice. From a group who bullied him with huge sticks, to nearly breaking his ankle in a grass covered ditch, many times the Way told him to quit.
***
She spoke about reading and the value of reading. I could have listened through constant rainfall without distraction. When we arrived at the Americans, she bowed her hands exactly the way Dani did back on the Camino. Said the same things as well. “For me, the Americans start,” she bowed her hands again before carrying on, “with Charles Bukowski.” That was it. I was lovestruck. “You're wrong.” Her voice was shrill. Her stoic words slapped me like a blunt object. I froze. “You need to go home”. I looked at her with the dumbfounded face of a kangaroo staring into a set of flood lights. She continued, “I listened while the others asked you things. You have so many experiences, all those years and on the Camino also. You need to go home. Stop moving – process. Let the years soothe and find their space.” I was speechless, but pined for a counterargument. “From there you can find your voice. Only from there. You’re lost until then.” This Way to Istanbul was finding my voice. A long period of time to rehash past years and find the Way for my future. She was unsympathetic, telling me to return home. My mom would have loved her. I questioned w as this pilgrimage what I needed to bring me resolution? Again, she looked me dead in the face, and read my future from the scroll of a page by something she saw beyond my eyes.
Silence. Awkward silence.
“You won't find anything until you go home. I’m sorry,” she advised with genuine empathy and concern. She pulled out a spill of hash to soften the blow. I poured her some more wine. We smiled at each other. Her first registration of my looks. Her body language flirted with me. It was too dark to see her, but my attraction to her was impossible to miss.
295 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 4, 2023
20 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Steven Hunter
8 books4 followersRelish In the Tread is Steve Hunter’s first publication. He studied at college to become a Chef, then apprenticed around Canada before flying over to Australia, and working as a Chef De Parti. One day, his grandma passed away and his girlfriend dumped him shortly after. From there, he committed himself to the road. With no background from university or classical writer’s training, he spent 20 years training himself, honing his craft. Out on the road, living in a tent and working many random jobs, he found lots of time to read many of the great classics. Stacks of journals sit in his basement today. Collections of diaries first and then more like short stories from 88 countries and over 120,000 kilometres of hitchhiking.
While he loved hiking mountain trails, in 2013, on the advice of a friend he decided to walk across Spain on the famous – and flat – Camino de Santiago. In 2014, inspired by that overly commercialized trail, he forged his own path attempting to follow ancient routes from Rome to Istanbul. The year after that, he walked across half of Portugal. And later on, across the east coast of Taiwan. And later still, the Lykia Way in the south of Turkey. The road could teach us everything we needed to know. And then, through our own practice we could hone a craft worth sharing. If it was honest, pure, and from the core of our soul, the pages would have merit. If the work was for anything except sharing truths, if it was to monetize ourselves, then that craft had no purpose. Hunter’s words came from years of living hand to mouth, from a 12-kilogram backpack with little desire for more than to learn about the diverse cultures of our planet, the people movement that has shaped us, the colonial impressions that have been left on us and the wholehearted belief that our future lay in minimalism.
Growing up in the lower, middle class of a lunchbox town in the western world, it was easy to be engulfed by a bubble. Relish has been written for all those people who remained in their bubble. It’s for all those people who want to know what it is like to live on our planet, at the cliff edge, walking, slowly taking everything in. It is for all those too afraid to leave their comfort zone. And those who despite their best efforts live from an entitled perspective. Relish in the Tread is also for all Hunter’s long-termers out there that have been living the same kind of life for years and years, grabbing life by the nut-sack, never giving up, thirsty for knowledge and willing to sacrifice it all for the road. He’s met very few along the Way after 15 years. But when he did, he felt their souls connect. And he hopes that this book here does the same thing. It takes the soul of a road warrior and brings it into each reader. Especially, the lonely ones out there walking the planet that know the hardships, but recognize the value far more than any external, fictitious comfort that society either tells us to have or suggests we invest in. Relish in the Tread is an attempt to keep those people company who are in their tent right now, reading with a headlamp on, ignoring the howling cries of coyotes.
While he loved hiking mountain trails, in 2013, on the advice of a friend he decided to walk across Spain on the famous – and flat – Camino de Santiago. In 2014, inspired by that overly commercialized trail, he forged his own path attempting to follow ancient routes from Rome to Istanbul. The year after that, he walked across half of Portugal. And later on, across the east coast of Taiwan. And later still, the Lykia Way in the south of Turkey. The road could teach us everything we needed to know. And then, through our own practice we could hone a craft worth sharing. If it was honest, pure, and from the core of our soul, the pages would have merit. If the work was for anything except sharing truths, if it was to monetize ourselves, then that craft had no purpose. Hunter’s words came from years of living hand to mouth, from a 12-kilogram backpack with little desire for more than to learn about the diverse cultures of our planet, the people movement that has shaped us, the colonial impressions that have been left on us and the wholehearted belief that our future lay in minimalism.
Growing up in the lower, middle class of a lunchbox town in the western world, it was easy to be engulfed by a bubble. Relish has been written for all those people who remained in their bubble. It’s for all those people who want to know what it is like to live on our planet, at the cliff edge, walking, slowly taking everything in. It is for all those too afraid to leave their comfort zone. And those who despite their best efforts live from an entitled perspective. Relish in the Tread is also for all Hunter’s long-termers out there that have been living the same kind of life for years and years, grabbing life by the nut-sack, never giving up, thirsty for knowledge and willing to sacrifice it all for the road. He’s met very few along the Way after 15 years. But when he did, he felt their souls connect. And he hopes that this book here does the same thing. It takes the soul of a road warrior and brings it into each reader. Especially, the lonely ones out there walking the planet that know the hardships, but recognize the value far more than any external, fictitious comfort that society either tells us to have or suggests we invest in. Relish in the Tread is an attempt to keep those people company who are in their tent right now, reading with a headlamp on, ignoring the howling cries of coyotes.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 28, 2023
Thank you Freddie for sharing part of your Way with us. My heart hurt for Freddie and my heart hurt for me. It is as though we both have something the other didn't. He had a kind of freedom, adventure, and present moment living in the beauty of nature where he could wrestle with, learn about and grow in his deeper understandings of Self and his Way in the world. And I have community, consistent connection, and the relied upon tangible love from my family. I have somewhat a secure and safe routine where I can indulge in consumerism and more physical luxuries, where I too work out and grow deeper in the understanding of Self and my Way in THIS world I live in.
Freddie reminded me that it is in those small acts of kindness and generosity that really make the difference in showing and being love to those around us. It is that small gesture that sinks us deeper into our interconnected web we all have. Even when it is in our own backyards. I also loved learning of the history that I am very much ignorant to. How fascinating that even across the world we can all recognized each other, our wounds, our joys, our traditions in the eyes of everyone along the Way. The sameness we share even in the different flavours of our humanity.
Thank you for the adventure, the vulnerability and sharing the wisdom of your Way Freddie. You had me stopping to think a lot throughout this read. I consciously told myself only a few chapters at a time because I wanted to savour the journey and not rush it like we so often do in the Western World. I wanted to be present and take in as much as I could.
Beautiful, heart breaking, messy, thoughtful, raw and inspiring.
Cheers!
Freddie reminded me that it is in those small acts of kindness and generosity that really make the difference in showing and being love to those around us. It is that small gesture that sinks us deeper into our interconnected web we all have. Even when it is in our own backyards. I also loved learning of the history that I am very much ignorant to. How fascinating that even across the world we can all recognized each other, our wounds, our joys, our traditions in the eyes of everyone along the Way. The sameness we share even in the different flavours of our humanity.
Thank you for the adventure, the vulnerability and sharing the wisdom of your Way Freddie. You had me stopping to think a lot throughout this read. I consciously told myself only a few chapters at a time because I wanted to savour the journey and not rush it like we so often do in the Western World. I wanted to be present and take in as much as I could.
Beautiful, heart breaking, messy, thoughtful, raw and inspiring.
Cheers!
September 1, 2023
To walk from Rome to Instanbul (having already trekked the Camino de Santiago) is a pretty impressive achievement given the pitfalls of health, culture, border controls and such. Steve Hunter cleverly conveys both of these journeys by leapfrogging one upon the other. Some might find that irritating but once I'd recognised the pattern I enjoyed keeping track of the both as they interlocked.
Steve's narrative holds the attention and a few North Americanisms aside I found the book wholly readable and engaging. Perhaps having undertaken similar (though shorter) adventures myself on foot, by bike and canoe I was able to relate to the physical experiences.
I found the insight into those cultures I've not yet encountered to be of particular interest - Montenegro, Albania and Turkey especially. My own experiences are quite similar in that often those least able to give are the very people that share their homes and welcome you at their table.
My wandering days aren't over quite yet and Steve's account inspires me to get out there to encounter more challenges before I hang up my boots and cycling shoes. I'm sure many others would agree.
Tez Watson
Steve's narrative holds the attention and a few North Americanisms aside I found the book wholly readable and engaging. Perhaps having undertaken similar (though shorter) adventures myself on foot, by bike and canoe I was able to relate to the physical experiences.
I found the insight into those cultures I've not yet encountered to be of particular interest - Montenegro, Albania and Turkey especially. My own experiences are quite similar in that often those least able to give are the very people that share their homes and welcome you at their table.
My wandering days aren't over quite yet and Steve's account inspires me to get out there to encounter more challenges before I hang up my boots and cycling shoes. I'm sure many others would agree.
Tez Watson
Currently reading
August 10, 2023Impeccably crafted, utterly engaging, and understandably sympathetic to his main character's plight, Steve reflects back on a life well-lived on the road despite the cold nights and enveloping loneliness that became his constant companion. For weeks and months. Through the eyes of his plucky protagonist Freddi, the author relives the travails of an epic journey of self-doubt and self-discovery that takes us across Spain, along dusty Italian lanes, and finally through the Balkans to the greatest city in the world. Freddi leaves it all on the table: love, loss, longing, and the kind of introspection and sharp focus that only comes from lived experience. Much like the Way itself, this worthy debut novel is not for the faint of heart. But it is worth coming back to, again and again. More please!
August 3, 2023
Relish in the tread is an essential read for the seasoned traveller, the new-to-the-road planner and the armchair dreamer or nostalgic. The author evokes the gritty, joyous, dirty, dangerous, beautiful sensation of treading, one step after the other, through changing landscapes. All of humanity is here and any one who’s spent time on the road will recognise equivalent characters.
The writing is richly descriptive and the pace steady and enticing as the narrator makes his way along his epic route.
A marvellous debut novel, combining humour , poignancy & self reflection whilst managing to effortlessly paint a historical and geographic backdrop to the stories journey. Looking forward to the authors next book already!
The writing is richly descriptive and the pace steady and enticing as the narrator makes his way along his epic route.
A marvellous debut novel, combining humour , poignancy & self reflection whilst managing to effortlessly paint a historical and geographic backdrop to the stories journey. Looking forward to the authors next book already!
November 20, 2023
Its taken me far to long to write this review! There are parts of "Relish" that I read half a dozen times, its not a book that you cant put down, but its certainly a book that your innerself pushes you to finish.
Whilst "Relish" follows Freddi's journey as a trek across Europe, this is far more than a diary or travelogue. Freddi's journey essentially finished in my city and I had followed him on his facebook updates as he completed his journey. The book provides honest, somewhat brutal, insight behind the scenes of Freddi's pilgrimage.
I loved seeing many cities I had visited with my family, through Freddi's eyes. Far from wanting to walk in his footsteps, I could easily view the landscape through his lens and imagine our contrasting experience.
I will read this again for sure (unless Steve releases something new)
Whilst "Relish" follows Freddi's journey as a trek across Europe, this is far more than a diary or travelogue. Freddi's journey essentially finished in my city and I had followed him on his facebook updates as he completed his journey. The book provides honest, somewhat brutal, insight behind the scenes of Freddi's pilgrimage.
I loved seeing many cities I had visited with my family, through Freddi's eyes. Far from wanting to walk in his footsteps, I could easily view the landscape through his lens and imagine our contrasting experience.
I will read this again for sure (unless Steve releases something new)
August 31, 2023
One of the most disappointing books I’ve read in quite a while. First, I thought it was a travelogue, and it seemed to read like one most of the time, but the beginning of the book has this disclaimer:
“This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.”
Maybe just one of those cut and paste mistakes, but who knows.
Second, the language was unnecessarily crude and the repeated sexual content (hooking up for a one night stand, description on guys and girls on the beach, etc.) was also unnecessary. I know people do “pilgrimages” for a variety of reasons, but his description of the events on his walk made it seem like anything but a pilgrimage to me.
Definitely not a book I would recommend.
“This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.”
Maybe just one of those cut and paste mistakes, but who knows.
Second, the language was unnecessarily crude and the repeated sexual content (hooking up for a one night stand, description on guys and girls on the beach, etc.) was also unnecessary. I know people do “pilgrimages” for a variety of reasons, but his description of the events on his walk made it seem like anything but a pilgrimage to me.
Definitely not a book I would recommend.
April 12, 2023
The author's character development is in a way that I get to be right there following him along his Way. This isn't just another travel story. It's not just a pilgrimage story. It's an homage to the Road. We can see that the author, through his main character is absolutely without a doubt dedicated to the road. One cannot deny that passion. The rest of it is a series of wonderful additions to that. Full of humor and surprising turns. I was into it til the last page.
June 2, 2023
I really enjoyed reading about Freddi's journey. Steve is very passionate about his writing and this shows through in the book, where he puts his wide vocabulary to good use in the descriptive passages. He also ensures he includes enough background information about the places he visits, so we can better understand his experiences in context. It's also refreshing to read such an honest account of the difficulties involved in (an albeit pretty extreme kind of) travel.
August 3, 2023
Only a true pilgrim can write something like this. The feeling of not being worthy of anything, the harsh lessons that 'The Way ' gives to anyone who dares tread it and the beautiful gifts that it provides to those who learned how to humble themselves and allow the way to lead them to where they were meant to be... This book spoke volume to me as a pilgrim myself and it will also help those who seek their purpose.
November 4, 2023
This epic wielding of multiple walking trails, traveled in an exploration of experiential time and space, and the definitive relationships acquired throughout the road less traveled by is a masterpiece of traveling observations, historical references, and the cruel beauty of a traveling soul that gathers no moss.
Relish the journey of reading Relish in the Tread, 3,000 km by foot crossing Europe to Istanbul by Steven Hunter. It’s an epic read!
Relish the journey of reading Relish in the Tread, 3,000 km by foot crossing Europe to Istanbul by Steven Hunter. It’s an epic read!
August 3, 2023
Relish in the tread is an essential read for the seasoned traveller, the new-to-the-road planner and the armchair dreamer or nostalgic. The author evokes the gritty, joyous, dirty, dangerous, beautiful sensation of treading, one step after the other, through changing landscapes. All of humanity is here and any one who’s spent time on the road will recognise equivalent characters.
The writing is richly descriptive and the pace steady and enticing as the narrator makes his way along his epic route.
A marvellous debut novel, combining humour , poignancy & self reflection whilst managing to effortlessly paint a historical and geographic backdrop to the stories journey. Looking forward to the authors next book already!
The writing is richly descriptive and the pace steady and enticing as the narrator makes his way along his epic route.
A marvellous debut novel, combining humour , poignancy & self reflection whilst managing to effortlessly paint a historical and geographic backdrop to the stories journey. Looking forward to the authors next book already!
April 11, 2023
I have know Steve for over 20 yrs. He has a creative wandering soul and a curiosity about life and people. You can see and feel thst in his writing and his sense of humouris top shelf so buy andxread his book. You will be a better perdon because of it! Great work Steve! When the 2nd ?
April 17, 2023
Enjoy reading very much, the book is full of honesty and sensitivity, there are parts of the book where it makes you appreciate the things that are really worthwhile in life, and at the same time you would like to be a pilgrim from time to time.
August 4, 2023
Thank-you for "Relish in the Tread" ... an absorbing read! Initially jarred jumping between The Camino and Rome to Istanbul until I got into the flow / non-flow / otherness of your internal journey; of it. In awe of your 'vasbyt' resilience during Rome to Istanbul rendering The Camino relatively tame by comparison! (vasbyt is South African Afrikaans word = 'bite hard' tenacity) 🙂
January 2, 2024
I'm part way through and can't put it down. I feel like I'm right there in the thick of it with Freddi; I can see it, hear it, smell it and taste it. But mostly I can feel it, I'm right there all the way on the ups and downs of Freddi's journey. Raw, easy reading and enjoyable. An inspiring read for those that want to get (back!) on the road!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews