How it started

You know that feeling when you're on a flight to a new destination. There’s me in May 2016 on a flight to Mytilene on Lesvos and didn't really know what to expect. It ended with an incredible story and lifestyle change because of the trip. Somewhat humorously, the background to the trip can be attributed to the fact that I needed access to a toilet. Don't get me wrong! My bathroom was being renovated. This downgraded the facilities in my home to very spartan. I had therefore booked flights and hotel rooms with shower and toilet for almost a week. I also learned to appreciate simple things that a shower and toilet are priceless luxuries.

Why go to Lesvos in Greece with reasonable solutions closer to my home? Well, I also took the opportunity to visit a friend who was struggling as a volunteer in the chaotic flow of refugees to the island. At some point, she had talked to a local who was in tourism on Lesvos, said that she knew a crazy man who likes to walk around on hiking trips. Often on strange places around the world. Bring him here. There are lots of nice hiking trails on Lesvos. Maybe he could guide tourists in the hiking trails, the local had said. That's what I was told. What else did I know? It is "very big no no" to flush toilet paper down Greek toilets. But a toilet is always a toilet. Reason enough for a trip to Lesvos.

I didn't take that about guiding seriously. Just nice to come to a new place with decent toilets. I live with my two disagreeing demons who always are with me. The demons were unusually united and did not take the journey too seriously. I lived in the squirrel wheel with jobs, fixed routines and bills to pay. Yes, you get it, I was stuck. Admittedly, I fell out of the squirrel wheel from time to time and then take me back. Now I had really fallen out, without a toilet and with a flight ticket in my hand. I'll probably get back in the spinning wheel soon, when the bathroom is finished. My demons and I went around the island with my friend to look around. Lesvos is a magical and beautiful island. I had previously hiked in many nice and strange places, so I saw that hiking trails are all over the island. Beautiful and exciting to explore. The trails are like a set table for arranging tours that suit hiking tourists.

Me and my demons went back home after the May days on Lesvos. We agreed that it was time to go into the squirrel wheel again. The demons' disagreement usually gives me trouble. I must compromise or rebuke one of them. For harmony in life, a compromise is usually best. It's not fun to have a grumpy demon looking at the other one who has a winning mocking smile. At my job in Gothenburg, I had fallen out of the wheel after major layoffs with the following reorganizations. I was not made redundant, but reorganized into a new role that I was not interested in. One of the demons started arguing about going to Lesvos. The other rolled his eyes and asked how I would pay my bills and have food on the table. I took a month off during the summer to step into a bubble and go back to Lesvos to do research. Can I organize something as a side business? All to compromise with my demons.

At the late summer and close to the next trip home to Gothenburg, I had researched and prepared so well that I saw it possible to arrange guiding on many nice hiking trails. The boss at my job in Gothenburg called me on the phone. My bubble burst when I answered and fronted real life. He just wanted to easily inform me about my new strange working hours. Thank you, but no thanks. Now that's enough and I'll resign right now, I said. There was silence on the phone before we agreed to take the details when I got home. Two hands up for a high five, was one of the demon's reactions. Are you stupid! Now you're in big trouble, said the other demon. Tough negotiations with me as a mediator were going on between my demons on the flight to Gothenburg. This finally became a new starting point in my life. I prepared myself for what my other demon had said. That I would have a hard time to survive as a hiking guide. I planned further on the new project to give it a chance for two or three years. If it doesn't work after that, I don't know what to do and then front it.

Now there were magical adventures on Lesvos as a full-time hiker and I owned my time, not the boss. I walked around as a hiking guide with tourists from near and far. However, not all of them were pure tourists. Many were volunteers during the refugee crisis on the island. They appreciated seeing something different of Lesvos. Some were Swedes and I also had the honor of guiding locals from the island. The most long-distance has come all the way from New Zealand and wanted private guiding with both hiking and excursions. In short, I learned a lot with new interesting tasks. A big question when I started this project, was adequate income. I knew this all along. It's a limited season and a lot of time for other things. Starting to pick olives is not a good idea. The season clashes. Then a crazy idea came along. I had my computer full of good info about Lesvos' hiking trails and sights. Can I make a book out of it?

Spontaneously, I sent the question to several Swedish book publishers where I presented my idea without having a finished manuscript. A book publisher replied that it sounded interesting and wanted to know more. We soon agreed on a guidebook with hiking tours and excursions as well as plenty of pictures. Both my demons get scared and asked how this would happen. I didn't know the damn thing, but I had to find out. The publishing house understood that they were dealing with a beginner. I got support and they sent me some guidebooks. I read every letter in the books to learn. I don’t want to reinvent the wheel. At the same time, I didn't want to copy. I will have my own style inspired by the other authors.

Seriously. I maked a great debut book, Lesbos – vandringsturer och utflykter, (Lesbos – hiking tours and excursions). Yes, debut book, because it was followed by new guidebooks. The side project with guidebooks soon took over. There was less time left as a hiking leader and guide. Lesvos became my home for just over two years. I went to Crete for research for next guidebook, Crete – hiking tours and excursions. After that, I go to Cyprus for the third book. Then the pandemic came and closed all doors. I traveled to Gothenburg to isolate myself against a virus. As a consolation gift during the pandemic, a request came from the book publisher. A question if I was interested to make a Gothenburg guide. It was a perfect challenge for me because the borders were closed anyway. At the same time, a good chance to get out and discover new and old places on my home turf.

The book Gothenburg – hiking tours and excursions became my third book. Cyprus – hiking tours and excursions are now almost to be completed and looks been the fourth in order. You can really say that I live in a strange bubble, and I don't miss the safe squirrel wheel. I still own my time. I can work on a Saturday and be free on a Wednesday, because that's what I want. I can take so-called vacation whenever I want. However, a vacation day is now the same as just working a little. I'm not going to complain because I'm a free man and what I'm doing is fun. I've learned a lot of new things and made many new friends in the process. The hardest thing is to keep order of my demons who don't always want the same thing. But I'm good at compromising. Many thanks to my demons. Without them, this would not have been possible.

Mats Randow