This adventure with my dear friend the Wildebeest is coming to a close. What began 40 days ago, seems now like a dream from a different lifetime. The details are growing more elusive, like watching passing scenery from a train window.
My daughter warned that asking friends to endure, yet another, journal marathon of our walk was asking too much. Maybe so, but our dispatches provide us with important details and reminders. Many of the specifics are already forgotten or confused. The record allows us to fact check our memories and each other. While you may be solving Wordle, we are trying to remember places and event as recent as yesterday. A daily occurrence goes something like this:
Edward, “Do you remember that guy in that town with that thing?”
Paula, “Oh yeah, his name was Rocco, and he was holding a cat and drinking a beer.”
Edward, “Right by which town was it? “See what I mean.
Our journey has been intimate and personal. Sharing this adventure with you has created an unexpected and thrilling dynamic. Thank you. Your comments and incredibly generous compliments have been a regular source of joy and encouragement.
Some Trip highlights:
Best listening:
Hamlet, Forger Theatre Audio Production.
Brooke Gladstone – On the Media – Every week.
Ezra Klein Interview with Adam Moss on Editing.
Best Purchases along the way:
multiplugs.
small black gauge duct tape.
Padre Pio refrigerator magnet.
Apple watch replacement wrist band at the Bari Apple store.
Trip miracles:
BoA shipping replacement debit card to tiny town in middle of nowhere in 5 days; Amazon delivering new boots to a different small town in the middle of nowhere in 3 days; clothes pins.
My ceramic chard collection in now complete. I plan to turn over the mountain of treasures to Isla, my 2-year-old granddaughter, who is a puzzle prodigy. I will not be surprised if she returns it with a recreation of Pangea. The rusted metal treasures are too dangerous for toddlers but will be displayed in a public location. Details to follow.
When we set out, we had no thesis to prove, no demons to slay, no angels to entice, no need to confirm beliefs or redemption to seek. Just taking a long walk with a friend who shares your eccentricity. However, lessons were learned, and human kindness was confirmed. We experienced the joy of the ordinary, and the thrill of accidental discoveries. These were our regular rewards.
To be a Zebra traveling with a Wildebeest life is safe and secure. He eats the bottom half of the grass stalk; I eat the top. His exceptional sight, when coupled with my exceptional hearing, places us in a world organized and complete in our reciprocity.
So now – after the boots and the blisters, after the Advil, the sunscreen, after the long talks, the lengthy lunches on logs, after the wrong turns and the helpful strangers, after the endurances and the water bottles, after the climb and the descent, after the inexplicable joy of enduring kindnesses, we return to those we love.
#16sumers
Walking the Via Francigena 
What a perfect closing commentary. Will miss you as part of my every day – but happy you had such a wonderful adventure that you so graciously and generously shared with all of us. Enjoy your time with your family and I’m sure your granddaughter will relish the treasures you brought back! With my love, Susie xx
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I will so miss these delightful commentaries! I feel like the window is being rolled up. Thank you for sharing your always poignant and always humorous escapades with us.
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VIVA! Incredible feat!
Longing to hear all about it!
Guido e Anna Paola
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Bravo!!!! The two of you are an inspiration to us all on every level possible. We live vicariously through you and I presume most, like me, believe I could never accomplish what you two have. And dare say could never do it with my partner. Thank you for sharing your journey so intimately.
with amazement, respect, and love,
MDB
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Kindness
Helpful strangers
Climbs descents and sea air
The Zebra and the Wildebeest
Bravi!
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So…what’s the next journey??
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We let this one live a full life without naming a successor!!
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Have loved every shared moment of this walk. As close to reality as a vicarious experience can be. The reason is the beauty , knowledge and sheer joy of both your writing. I would follow Edward anywhere and want him as my informed companion on any trip. Meticulous detail in flowing language and even prose. Paula, I would want you to write the humorous love story of such a trip with that unique form of expression and observation that you possess.
Love, Lyndsey and Ian xx
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Reading your journal entries has been very entertaining and I hope you plan on another pilgrimage soon. Congratulations on completing this epic feat. xoxo
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What a trip! I loved ever moment! Angela
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We so enjoyed your journey. It was seeing a side of Italy we hadn’t seen before. So many olive trees and grape vines! So many churches and shrines, beaches and piazze. So many blisters!
Hope to see you in the US soon.
PC
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Thank you for sharing your journal. I love the expressive writing and the humor. What a treat it has been everyday!
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I’m not crying, you’re crying, (:
I didn’t expect to feel so emotional about your journey coming to an end.
Feast, drink and celebrate and see you back home soon.
❤️Cathy
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What a wonderful experience walking with you over pebbles and mountains, visiting gorgeous churches and small towns and, Paula, sharing with you the Advil and Neosporin. A sheer delight. And now that you have sent us such detail, I feel that you have done all this for all of us so that our first step forward will be to reread your journal.
Abrazos, Tom
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Well said.
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what a lovely wrap up. I cannot wait to see the found art. It seems like you found a whole mess of stuff beyond the treasures. Ephemeral treasures that paradoxically will be with you forever. Apologies on being so delayed on this site. Can’t wait to see you, blisters and all! Teresa
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Auguri!!!!! What an accomplishment. Love you guys! Can’t wait for you to be home!
Also, mom, that’s too many ceramic pieces…
xx Hannah
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thank you for bringing us with you. beautiful in a million ways.
Laura k
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Thank you you P & E for the daily script and the journey with you. Excited to hear more when we see you next! Hugs to you and your fantastic family. Hugs and Love Patty and Paul
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