To my readers

Once upon a time, according to an ancient Eskimo legend, there were young men who wanted to travel the world.

They were full of life, they had a desire for adventure, and no destination seemed too far away. They were so young that they had just taken wives. And so they all set out together, but then they separated and one half went in one direction, the other half in the opposite direction, so that, having crossed all the countries, they could meet again after having gone round the earth.

They traveled and traveled. In summer in leather boats, in winter on sleds pulled by dogs. Year after year passed, they had children, but they continued to travel, because they did not want to abandon the goal they had set for themselves. Eventually they became old and their children had children.

It is said that when they set out they had beautiful large ladles made of musk ox horns, but they traveled so long and drank so much water from lakes and rivers that in the end only the handles of their ladles remained.

One day at last they met, for by this time each group had gone halfway around the earth. But they were so old that they needed to be accompanied by their grandchildren.

"The world is big!" they said as they met. "And on the journey we got old. But we have lived rich lives, and by reaching our destination we have gained knowledge and wisdom for generations to come."

The seductive words of this ancient Eskimo legend, that one must be true to the ideals of one's youth, made a great impression on me the first time it was told, when I was still only a boy.

The beautiful and strong image captivated me, because even then I had a great secret desire, that of one day making a long journey to the lands of the North to get to know the different Eskimo peoples.

I succeeded in realizing this wish during the Fifth Thule Expedition to the North of America and with The Great Sleigh Ride I have tried to give an essential description, focusing on the most important events that occurred during the trip and on the people I met.

Recognizing with gratitude the significance for my maturity of reaching a goal that I had set for myself when I was already very young, I dedicate this book to the youth of Denmark.

- Lindenow Fjord, September 10, 1932

With this letter begins one of the most beautiful and interesting books I have ever read. A book that more than any other has been able to tickle my imagination and fantasy: Great Sled Journey by Knud Rasmussen.

Like the great Greenlandic explorer, I too was struck by the "seductive words of the ancient Eskimo legend" and so I decided to start this new blog of mine by quoting some of his preface.

With due proportions, I hope in my heart to be able to inspire those few readers who will have the pleasure to read my blog, as Knud Rasmussen did with me with his life, his explorations and his writings.

Enjoy!

- with love Filippo Salvioni