What It's Like To Be Home After Walking Back From China

[@emilian5037]

Still can't believe that the Longest Way is finally completed, so proud of you, Chris! ❤

[@NotsoHardcore1]

Thank you for having us with you.

[@JorgelinaVega]

What you were saying about your soul being still in the woods reminded me of Peter Pan chasing his shadow and Wendy sewing them back up together again ☺️ I think a bit of your soul will always wander in the woods, along dusty roads, bike lanes and crazy roads. I feel happy for you, and also proud of you, of your inner strength and your physical resilience plowing through your ailments on all kinds of weather conditions. I hope - no pressure 😅 - that there will be more adventures in the future and that we can join you along the way. Can’t wait for the new hair-beard video! 🎉 Will you also combine the first video with this new one for a complete #TheLongestWay time travel?

[@evenjohansen4584]

Well said!

[@Punjeet]

Chris I met you in Georgia, Gonio, reggae hostel, I am glad you made it through safely. Good luck with whatever life brings you next x Ps. My real name is Oleg 😅

[@GroovyIsGroovy]

I understand what you're saying about a weird social disconnect, I remember coming back from the middle east after my military service and having an immense feeling of disconnection or like I was outside of the social grouping. Now matter how much you try to get involved some weird part of you is always stuck or thinking about what happened and where it's taken you. I hiked for miles and miles and traveled the United States myself. It's a quest of self reflection I'm actively on myself and I hope with you that in some weird way the soul comes back or catches up just as I wish the same for myself. You have a good heart and I wish nothing but the best for you and welcome home! Hope the holidays were great!

[@officerdonut7066]

Your soul is within stay blessed on your travels

[@mysterioanonymous3206]

Yeah, I felt that after having spent some time abroad as well. Came back after 6 months and life has sort of continued on without you. You yourself have changed. It happens...

[@idrils]

You went from looking like an ancient wizard to a youngish middle aged man

[@idrils]

Like from gandalf to indiana jones

[@RS-zy7ro]

哈哈！ 🏔️⛰️🏞️🧙‍♂️🐎🌳🚶🏻‍♂️🌲🚶🏻‍♂️🌳🚶🏻‍♂️🏡💇🏻‍♂️

[@RefRed_King]

@@RS-zy7ro lol very true

[@ZZYYRRKK]

What an experience! I can't even begin to understand just how deeply felt this was. I'd like to try my hand at something similar.

[@mariaannad.1252]

Ich bin sehr beeindruckt, was für kluge Worte. Auf dieses Video habe ich sehr erwartungsvoll gewartet. Danke🤍Ohne den Bart und langen Haare siehst Du mindestens zehn Jahre jünger. Alles Liebe und passe auf Dich auf

[@_modnar_]

Mentaly I have not been able to watch your last few videos for quite some time. So I can't even imagine what you must have felt the day of arriving. Today I kind of accepted, that you are at home (well, your dad's) and watched the videos, right when you uploaded this one. There were and there still are many tears of joy, sadness, confusion, uncertainty but overall happiness, that you arrived safely and in the way you wanted to. "Don't be sad that it's over. Be happy that it happend." (Or something like that) "who was this person?" from the "before photo" of The Longest Way is something I often think about, especially when seeing older pictures of myself. In your before and after picture you might look pretty much the same, but in my opinion there always is so much change in the eyes. So glad you made this video, talking about all this stuff. Gave me the chance to sort my thoughts ❤ Always loved the shots of you and the caboose, walking away from the camera in all kinds of sceneries. For me it really conveyed the feeling of slow travelling and every frame of them could be a painting. Hope your soul caught up to you in the meantime! Thank you! ❤

[@ghost89parkour]

I sincerely cried when i saw you returning home..so lost, in your eyes😢😢

[@ilrugoaudiolibri2894]

What you did is just wonderful, huge and important. I've been silently following you since 2010 here on KZbin, altough with a different profile. I want to be honest with you Chris, I envy you. Not in a bad way, but I also feel the need to outpace my soul, because I fear my soul has outpaced me. I know that what you did is extremely hard and brings with it great mental effort and the big risk of feeling at home only on the road and not in an actual house or country anymore, because time doesn't stop for the rest of the world and keeps passing while you walk. You return in a very different place from the one you departed from, but I think that at the end of the day we really have just this: you collected an ocean of precious memories, you lived your life fully and not slowly fading on an office chair. Again, I envy you Chris, and I'm so happy for you. I wish the best for your future. About the hair and beard, I understand the feeling of getting an extreme shave. It may sound weird, but it helped me think that it's part of nature that fur and grass grow and fall or get cut. You shaved SOME of your hair, but the "potential" for them is still inside your genes. So in a way you never really shaved, if it makes sense. Peace be upon you, wanderer.

[@isegrim1978]

Today we start “The longest Edit”…

[@chiangyr]

Its so so weird as I started watching from your other channel. 从中文频道看老雷看着看着来到了英文频道。With a switch of language, the 'feel' of the channel is really different, but I love how real both your channels are. Wish I had found these earlier.

[@exploraeventsag9151]

YES, sehr cool!

[@jackieneale5424]

Christoph, congratulations on finishing what you set out to do, amazing,really. I wonder if your soul will ever be anywhere but on the road

[@xJuliaVosx]

Nice to see you made it, i followed it since day 1 saw all the up and downs, you look good :) time for a well deserved vacation my friend, Grettings from The Netherlands

[@Charlie1776_]

Amazing Chris!

[@emanuelenocerino4183]

Amazing, you did it!

[@chamchalsatthva]

That's so cool to get immersed to your journey. Guess i could feel the emotional part of return right to your home. That's so crazy. Respects man!

[@mranderson373]

wish i found this channel years ago!

[@erock5b]

I remember watching your video montage of you walking through China years and years ago, maybe 2010-ish. Then, suddenly youtube recommends that video today, so I investigate your channel. And find out the journey continued. Glad to see you continued your journey. God bless!

[@RossetBespokeButlers]

I can't believe I have only just found your channel when you are back home! Well actually I am very lucky because I can go back and watch all your videos.

[@amturbay]

I found it surprisingly gratifying to listen to you and see you sitting at "home" and hearing what it´s felt like to complete the journey and return to where you started. Loved the touch about the bread...and liked what you said about the beard and hair being something that people used to justify their idea of who or what you were...as if maybe you were hiding behind or using as a protective shield maybe. Either way looking forward to seeing and hearing more. Not to bullshit you, but I feel there is wisdom behind your words and what you share and the way you share it. Thank you for that brother

[@hao-ransch3402]

恭喜，真的很不容易！！

[@janishani1]

A good hug (virtually, for now), Chris.

[@jonathandeichman5501]

Hi Chris, I just discovered your KZbin channel today and foremost wanted to congratulate you on your return home. I have so many thoughts flooding my mind right now of how long you’ve been on the road, how different home must be, was there a cultural shock and so much more. Am I correct if my assessment is a grand total of 16yrs? I couldn’t imagine doing that for a considerable chunk of my life… Glad you made it back just in time for the holidays, talk about good timing! Greetings from Oklahoma and Gott segne Dich!

[@billmilligan7272]

I'm really looking forward to the haircut video.. And I'm also looking forward to the book, the motion picture ... And to whatever adventure you're doing next.

[@shellysm10]

Chris finally gets home❤ What a journey!

[@LetsDark]

Congratulations. I watched your video in 2009 and tuned in from time to time. I was 14 back than and almost 30 now. Thats crazy. Your journey resonated with me every time I saw an update and from time to time I want to go out and do something similar… who knows.

[@OttomanHabsburg]

This man is a real legend

[@yiessyv.5228]

I really loved hearing the thoughts and feelings you have now after accomplishing such a feat and what change is like now, a warm and interesting reflection, change is always a bit scary but every adventure that starts is always amazing, you have inspired so many people. Thank you for sharing ♥♥

[@Jeremy-pf3bb]

You're a modern day philosopher. You must have been able to spend a lot of time reflecting and thinking on your walk.

[@Guerry78]

Very profound point at the end.

[@hidhawkes]

Such an emotional and spiritual experience / Journey of self discovery.

[@cynthiahofer2903]

Welcome home! I was a little worried about the anticlimactic ending but now i get it. You are anything but " just a dude". Eventually i predict your soul will return. Best wishes. You have accomplished something extraordinary.

[@ec2402]

Wonderful video! Thank you! :)

[@ashrafsipra1]

I wish I could have seen you channel before.

[@faksyan]

It's hard to imagine how you might be feeling after something like that, but it's also really nice to hear you talk about it. I hope you're doing well and taking it easy now. Thank you so much for sharing your journey with the world.

[@prettyawfulvideos]

incredible. well done, sir.

[@OmarShukurov]

I am actually so proud of you, this whole video feels like i was with you during this whole journey. I am so thankful to you for this incredible achievement. I don't even know what to call it, so i'm calling it achievement but this is something completely different. I just wanna thank you. I'm waiting for this final result

[@decafjava8565]

Wow I can't believe this, been following you for years. What an epic! Thank you for letting us accompany you!

[@delaraine]

congratulations! You're amazing dude! :D

[@dontmindme8709]

Welcome back! This is all familiar to me as I watched your Chinese video when that came out, but it's nice to hear the additional perspectives and know how things have been. I hope the weeks since filming this have been good!

[@Geostationary0rbit]

Wow yeah now I want to know what it feels like to 'know' where China is. In that physical way that the brain commits to memory you only get through action. Man there's a good chance you are the only person alive on the planet which knows that feeling over such a distance today.

[@gonk123]

Congrats man! Such an awesome accomplishment! Also arrived on my birthday lol

[@harune6594]

congratulations on making it back safely

[@pladoc2]

Absolutely outstanding, such an inspiring project I'm glad to say I have grown up with. Congratulations!

[@acolyte1951]

Thank you for uploading videos of your walking journey. Congratulations You sound the same at least!

[@goldreverre]

Interesting comment about your soul. Totally understandable. In fact, i think we may leave some small bits of ourselves in all sorts of places throughout our lives. It's our connection with the past. The present is still a walk, but just of a different kind.

[@RS-zy7ro]

I like both the image content and the music choices for the popular and viral Longest Way time lapse video. It would be nice if there were even more Christoph Rehage hiking videos made in China. But it was at a different time and place, at least there are some related videos and many photos, and it was a very good start. I think it helped that Chris studied filmmaking, I think somewhere near Beijing, in addition to his Political Science major and his minor in history and Chinese studies or sinology at university. I like the transition from the first Chinese song to the second rocking song in The Longest Way video. I have long brown and grey hair and a moderately long beard (which is a little longer than an inch long). Some Chinese people think I look like a handsome Santa Claus 🎅🏻, or maybe something like Frank Gallagher from the Shameless TV show (kind of but I think with smoother skin and a slightly longer nose). I must be used to getting some attention for having long hair.

[@sharhful]

You came back a handsome man. I felt the same way when I moved back to the US from China. I felt disoriented

[@ashrafsipra1]

You did something unique and unforgettable. Please visit Pakistan 🇵🇰, it will be your life changing journey. I can’t describe whatever you did. I can say that it’s fun, unforgettable, unbelievable experience. ❤

[@LarsErnst]

The inerta of the soul, you stopped moving but it keeps going and needs some time to come to a stop and then get back to you ...

[@oscargoossens9986]

Hey Chris, just wanted to verbalize appreciation, so here it is: props! Additionally, showing a map in your videos, either on your thumbnail or anywhere else would be massive, to see progress, see where you are. We can then hone in on the most interesting part of your journal (geographically) and understand particular countries/areas/people

[@hayestaylor97]

I have enjoyed witnessing your journeys since I was 16. Congratulations!

[@PoliticsInChina]

The caboose will definitely be in a museum someday - it’ll be so cool to see in person!

[@Screeny42]

I love that part about Soul! I understand you. Mine is also on the road and im at home. I love that part about beard and moustaches. I understand you. I've also have beard and moustaches for 9 years and I feel that im like an character of the game. And now im shave it. It was hard to understand who that guy in the mirror for 3 months. Now its new me. I dont know what is next but its interesting to live and understand. Good luck to you, friend. Best whishes, Sergei Screeny. SIberian researcher of time and space :)

[@stefaniegoettingen]

I understand the disconnection between body and soul after such a long journey. But I wonder why you choose China as your start in first place…is there a special video where you explain your motivation? I scrolled back to your first video 16 years ago…what an achievement in time and space. 🙏🏻

[@TimboLappen]

He was a Student in China.

[@michelhv]

"China: I know where it is now". -- The German Who Walked Home From Beijing.

[@ChristophRehage]

😅

[@SeeTheWholeTruth]

You are not feeling a distance of soul my friend. You are feeling the width of it. ❤ Not all who wander record to share. But all that is shared is laid bare. This clothing, this beard, this hair, this body, all is sheared. It is impossible for me to get lost, and I am sure it is so with you. By the way.. you can find more, some no one will believe. But you may not return. Carry less, store more from afar. OR you may find all lost that you prepared to share.

[@hidhawkes]

You had the experience of a life time! You’ve seen more of this world than any of us. Congratulations!

[@chopsticksandtrains]

Welcome home. I started following you late in your journey. You are a really cool guy with an awesome personality. I’m currently in China… I need to go back and watch the early part of your trek through China. Curious to see what you do next. The future is wide open.

[@TimboLappen]

Ich bin 2012/2013 durch dein Buch auf dich Aufmerksam geworden und habe ein paar Jahre später die Videos zufällig Entdeckt und dann immer wieder sporadisch Verfolgt. Sogar als Zuschauer fühlt es sich merkwürdig an wenn eine so lange Reise vorbeigeht. Ich denke die Gefühle die man persönlich Erlebt wenn soetwas zu Ende geht kann man sich nichtmal Ansatzweise vorstellen. Großen Respekt an dich wie du das alles durchgezogen hast und vielen Dank für das Dokumentieren. Es war immer wieder spannend anzusehen. Ich wünsche dir alles gute für was auch immer du nun Vorhast!

[@JoshuaHumphrey]

Love ya Brother!!!! Congrats!!!

[@the.humankind]

I’m happy for you, Laolei. ❤❤

[@glen-p6w]

You are on the longest way called life as we all are. Only yours is more unique.

[@Core35]

Glad your made it home safe !!

[@Playami]

mad respect to you... you are one of one

[@sustainart5207]

Only a few tears, Speechless.

[@HristoUzunov]

What you said about the soul is very poignant, similar to William Gibson's thoughts in Pattern Recognition: "She knows, now, absolutely, hearing the white noise that is London, that Damien's theory of jet lag is correct: that her mortal soul is leagues behind her, being reeled in on some ghostly umbilical down the vanished wake of the plane that brought her here, hundreds of thousands of feet above the Atlantic. Souls can't move that quickly, and are left behind, and must be awaited, upon arrival, like lost luggage." Hope you cherish your "luggage" anew, when it arrives 😁

[@ChristophRehage]

hristo always here with a good comment, thanks for that, man

[@NikitaMinhasNM]

@@ChristophRehage You provided a good perspective

[@olgerkhan9331]

Even as a viewer i got a glimpse of that feeling. To me it feels like you still are in georgia and everything after that was someone else, a little bit off but not quite. I cant imagine what id do now after such a long time of traveling. If there wasnt your developed health medicational issue id say: walk again after some weeks. Put an electric weel on the caboose to help on hilly terrain and just walk as long as its finacially sustainable but i doubt that will happen and it wont be the same anyway.

[@jacobdickert4236]

Congrats!

[@videozone092]

if i were you i would edit a movie or a series from those hard drives you got there. it would be a huge mistake not to do it.

[@salty6176]

I’m very hyped about this video

[@slypear]

Fairly new subscriber to your channel here - looking forward that Weird Beard Timelapse! Man, great to see you here~ - Sanverde~

[@daves6056]

After an experience like that, a puece pf you will always be there in the woods or back in Azerbaijan somewhere. Another timelapse is a good idea to get some more expisure up, then you could maybe do a series of the highlights through each country, while you narrate your experience.

[@Akrafes]

This was a hell of a journey. I've been a long time follower. I was not always consistant with watching. Because I dont think I can enjoy this if its not the right time. Like when I long for travel, going around the world again. Walking on the Andes mountains, or swiming (i mean, floating) on the Dead sea. When I long for those, I open up your channel and enjoy some of these videos. You have achieved something that few have the patience let alone opportunity. Good thing is that it has come to pass. Which is a great bonus. You got to finish it. It would be worse if you had to stop while you were so close. Congradulations.

[@globalgregors]

Wow. Had the feeling you describe after driving around the world, Vladivostok to San Francisco. It is a sort of vertigo to hear the post-journey experience described like this by another. I don’t know whether you ever really come back… I’ve never really come back. Now buttering a slice of bread to celebrate your achievement and safe return though. Well done!

[@LilaLacktrichterling]

So cool

[@Hektaburnz420]

That was peaceful to listen too. I was watching it in bed and when you spoke of the stick and said it's in your room .I look over to my door and my stick from turkey is there. Also for the dogs and it has so many other uses. It's been two years now from when we passed each other. This part about the soul is the same for me. I look forward to what you will create from all the data. Peace ,just a dude

[@MidResoIve]

YOU'VE FINALLY MADE IT!!!!!

[@patrickstar236]

Nice

[@MonostripeZebra]

Good luck on your next adventure..

[@StefanClemens]

Looking forward to your timelapse :)

[@datdoglovesdogs]

Must feel super weird but such a accomplishment in the same time

[@redwood961]

Congrats man

[@ulrichschluter9120]

What some of the long distance hikingers experience is call post trail depression. Everybody is dealing with it in a different way. After my 4 year trip around the world I was also overwhelmed and over come by those emotions you had in your home forest. PtL

[@croown2]

Die Reise war das Ziel 😍

[@dianddjhoekstra-li1141]

读万卷书 行万里路 知行合一 大爱老雷❤️

[@martindonald7613]

When I was a teenager, about 50 years ago, I lived very close to a large reservation in Ontario Canada. My friend who came from a long line of hereditary Seneca chiefs asked me, "why would you let some barber decide how you should look when the creator already has"? He had the advantage that as an Indigenous Canadian, he had very little or no facial hair. I took his advice and now haven't cut my hair for several decades. Although I trim my beard, due to ugliness issues, my locks are my antennae.

[@andreasweber7828]

Maybe by going slow, doing one thing at the time with heart and soul is the way to find yourself back in the presence, right where you are now

[@gluecksdrache2054]

This is not esoterical at all. I am convinced you carve out and meet your true self. 😊

[@matteo7079]

thats how grandpa came back from school every day

[@laaaliiiluuu]

Grüße aus dem Nachbardorf! 😂

[@t.b.m.5718]

Being a ginger in a place where gingers are rare also makes one feel like a jester.

[@hidhawkes]

Maybe caboosey can be put in a museum of some sort.

[@vladomontezuma626]

I know leaving the hair and beard is more symbolic to you than about looks. But I think you have the most amazing hair texture. Amazing curls. 😂. I think overgrown hair and beard actually looks nice on you. Idk. Maybe not like 2023 or 2022 but like 2018-2021 was fantastic looks. 😅 But in the same time I don't understand why people think it's less presentable to have hair and beard. I know from my own experience, people say I look like Jesus depiction or like I can't for sure work 9-17 because of this 😂, rather like something abstract. I'm like: why not? 😅😊 I guess it's cultural thing. In some societies is normal to look like this, in some is bit weird 😂.

[@e.g.136]

It might be the other way around… maybe it’s not your body that outpaced your soul but your soul that outpaced your body… just be gentle with it, either way around.

[@AJEnggrav]

I hope you gonna post images from the trip some place. That would be fun. Instagram or youre blog maybe? Which camera are you using for the images you took?

[@OmarShukurov]

wow man you look different