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541. Wayside Crosses and Crucifixes
Wayside Crosses. Physical Markers. If you look out a car or bus window, you see many of them. When you walk, you see every single one of them. Wayside crosses.… Read more
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540. “Not in Kansas anymore”
“Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore.” So says Dorothy. “Folks, we’re not in France anymore.” So says Curt. I’m not walking far, maybe 3-4 miles. I enter the last French… Read more
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539. Deviating from the Trail Deviation with Encouragement
Today is the hardest day since the rainy days in northern France. According to Sandy Browns VF guidebook, about 24 kilometers with 700 meters ascent and 300 descent, he labels… Read more
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538. Joan of Arc
Every nation state, and probably all religious or ethnic communities (think of the Armenians and Uyghurs), have foundational figures. Stories told, paintings painted, statues and busts sculpted. These are ubiquitous;… Read more
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537. French People and Scenes
Within a few days, I’ll be leaving France. I want to post some of the individuals and scenes that I’ll remember. The French love being outdoors, whether in the woods… Read more
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536. Recognizing Famous French People
Each country recognizes famous individuals. Greece and Rome had their statues. The Mediterranean region, along with museums around the world, testify to their prolific production. In fact, when I studied… Read more
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535. Walking Alongside a Buddha
“Butterfly, Its’ late, We’ve miles to go with each other.” Basho “Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.” Thich Nhat Hahn Many of the best experiences of… Read more
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534. Schedule: Four More Nights in France and then Switzerland
Only Four more nights in France. Hard for me to believe! It is amazing where one step at a time will take one. Tonight I’m in Ornans. A small river… Read more
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533. Memorial Day in France: Remembering the Others
The Commonwealth Commission on War Graves cares for numerous sites. The Thiepval Memorial remembers over 72,000 soldiers who died, but whose graves are unknown. During the first day of the… Read more
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532. Memorial Day in France
Since it is Memorial Day, I want to look back at some of the French memorials that I’ve seen. However, I want to preface my comments about a remembrance tendency.… Read more