"Walkin’ to New Orleans"
Mark Geanuleas, of Philadelphia, Penn., is on the final leg of a 4,000 mile journey to New Orleans. On foot.
He began traveling on foot, as opposed to riding, 13 years ago.
“I’ve travelled by foot since then,” he said.
The South Reporter met the 41-year-old “pedestrian” on Old Highway 7 South Oct. 30, when he encountered the reporter, also out on a walk.
Strapped into his backpack, he was wearing a cap and shorts and held an unopened bottle of water.
Geanuleas first started walking from Philadelphia to New York in December, 13 years ago.
He carries no cell phone, only the bare essentials, walking about 30 miles a day. Sometimes he sleeps in a tent in a campground. Sometimes he takes a room in a motel. He wears out a pair of shoes about every 1,000 miles. He has no favorite walking shoes and was wearing Millers hightops.
He planned to get a job once in New Orleans and stay a year or two to build up his bank account for his next jaunt.
“Eventually, I will walk back, but take a different route,” he said.
After leaving Philadelphia three years ago, he over wintered in Pittsburgh, Penn., then again in Bowling Green, Ohio, and in Champaign, Ill., on his last stop.
By the time he arrives back in Philadelphia where his family lives, he estimates he will have walked 6,000 miles round trip.
Geanuleas said he wants to see the country for himself and he also takes these journeys to try to understand the world.
He made some observations upon arriving in the deep South.
“I felt like I was in the South when I crossed over into the Mississippi floodway in Southeast Missouri,” he said. “They were burning off a cotton field by Blytheville to Osceola, Arkansas.
“Coming into Byhalia was when I felt like I was in the deep South. People are friendly and courteous, say yes, Ma’am and no, Ma’am,’ “ he said.
One big change he has noticed is that very seldom do people stop and offer him rides anymore.
“I don’t take `em,” he said. “Now its maybe one (offer) a week. That’s changed.” One problem, though, is that dogs want to follow him along the road when he passes a residence.
“You feel obligated to take a minute with them,” he said.
He has a college degree with a major in English and Philosophy.
His first long walk was when he was 24, “an embarrassing failure,” he said.
“I couldn’t do it mentally or physically.”
When in Philadelphia, he would walk to the location where he had business then take the train back.
“The thing that got me moving forward was if it was something I needed or it was necessary,” he said.
“If I decide to ride, it will be necessary or by choice,” he said.
“I think I’m trying to understand the world. An adventure has never been a driving force. I walk out of respect for the world and to try to understand the country better.”
He’s been to Europe, New Mexico and Canada, but not since setting out on foot.
He makes no notes. “I like to just be present,” he said. Geanuleas said he feels life is meaningful and he gets energized by people and nature and just thinking.
“I love it,” he said. “I haven’t been bored in years.” His parents do not know where he is unless he has stopped at a bookstore and found a good buy on a book and mailed it to himself back home.
The last time he shipped a book was while in St. Louis.
He should have arrived in New Orleans in mid-November.
Walkin’ to New Orleans
Fats Domino
This time I’m walkin’ to
New Orleans
I’m walkin’ to New Orleans
I’m going to need two pairs
of shoes
When I get through walkin’
me blues
When I get back to New Orleans
I’ve got my suitcase in my
hand
Now, ain’t that a shame
I’m leavin’ here today
Yes, I’m goin’ back home to
stay
Yes, I’m walkin’ to New Orleans
You used to be my honey
Till you spent all my money
No use for you to cry
I’ll see you bye and bye
“Cause I’m walkin’ to New
Orleans
I’ve got no time for talkin’
New Orleans is my home
That’s the reason while I’m
gone
Yes, I’m walkin’ to New Orleans
I’m walkin’ to New Orleans
I’m walkin’ to New Orleans