A week ago, I received an email that caught my attention. “Peace-walker passing through Arles” was the title. “Oh, really?” I thought with a sardonic arch of the eyebrow. But as I continued reading, I was immediately intrigued. It had been sent by Wijnand Boon (pronounced Vine-andt) and after explaining that he had come across my blog while googling Arles, here is how he introduced his mission:
“I have started walking from the Netherlands in September 2010 and I just got back in France after having crossed Portugal and Spain. I am on my way to Cairo in Egypt for a peace organization called MasterPeace (www.masterpeace.org). I find my places to stay along my way through the internet, the mission being to show how the internet can bring people together and that help can be found everywhere. A simple, positive message and I try to share my experiences with as many people as possible.”
Wijnand’s message was extremely articulate and included links to articles that had been written about his journey as well as to the social media accounts that he uses both to document his experience and solicit aid. He was simply asking if Remi and I would be willing to host him for Friday night, when he estimated that he would be in Arles. After a verification of all of the info (once a journalist, always a journalist) we quickly agreed. And I am so glad that we did.
He arrived in the early evening and after hauling up the fantastically designed cart that holds his belongings, we settled in for a long apéro during which we learned more about him and his fascinating project. He explained that it was initially inspired after a speech by the Dutch Queen Beatrix in which she claimed that the internet was pulling people further apart, that the essence of virtual connections are a detriment to society. Wijnand was determined not only to prove her wrong but decided to go on a pilgrimage using social media to do so. Via Twitter and Facebook, he has reached out to strangers along his route. So far, he has stayed with around 250 families (from sleeping on a mat in a crowded studio to ocean-view mansions) with nary a bad experience in the lot.
A lot of that has to do with Wijnand, of course. He is incredibly charming and well-spoken on so many subjects that at one point I turned to him and asked “is there anything that doesn’t interest you?” He is aware that people might be shy or nervous about letting a stranger into their homes and has that magical quality of immediately putting someone at ease. It was a delight listening to his rapid fire political and economic discussions with Remi that took place until long into the night and watching him capture the essence of the Saturday market the next morning. He is never intrusive and was respectful of our schedules and space. As he was recovering from an injury, we were in ready agreement that he stay with us for an extra night, for in truth, while we were providing a roof and dinner, he was giving us just as much if not more in return, including performing a few songs on his guitar.
I have written quite effusively on this blog about the positive and real impact I feel from the contacts that I have made here and Wijnand is literally walking proof of that. It is just that he is taking it to a global level. He is an incredibly inspiring person that embodies the idea that we can make our dreams into reality and even if we don’t know what the future holds, we just need to keep going, one step at a time…
Friends, Wijnand is heading East towards Salon-de-Provence on his way towards Rome and then Jerusalem before his swing towards Cairo in time for MasterPeace’s International Day of Peace in September 2014. An approximate list of the cities that he will be travelling to can be found here. Would any of you be willing to host him on his journey or do you know anyone that might? And if that doesn’t interest you (and he does not put pressure on folks), would you be willing to mention this on either Twitter or Facebook? You can find his links below and his email is tw*********@***il.com.
Wijnand’s project is Ben-approved!
Wijnand Boon:
Check out my website
www.twalkwithme.eu
Follow me on Twitter
@TwalkWithMe
Join me on Facebook
Twalk with me
Twalk with me for MasterPeace
www.masterpeace.org
Help me share my story and complete my mission:
One day of walking costs about five euro’s, but you already make my day with a cup of coffee a month. You can support my mission by donating to 3156.17.918. I thank you for your support!
PS You can also help by retweeting on Twitter and share my posts on Facebook with you friends. Help spread the word!
www.twalkwithme.eu
Follow me on Twitter
@TwalkWithMe
Join me on Facebook
Twalk with me
Twalk with me for MasterPeace
www.masterpeace.org
Help me share my story and complete my mission:
One day of walking costs about five euro’s, but you already make my day with a cup of coffee a month. You can support my mission by donating to 3156.17.918. I thank you for your support!
PS You can also help by retweeting on Twitter and share my posts on Facebook with you friends. Help spread the word!
Bonne Route, Wijnand. Here is one for the road…With all our best from Heather, Remi and Ben…
Jeanne, I am so sorry to read that your region is having an upsurge in violence. Please, please stay safe and don't take risks…
xo,
h
Thank you so much Marsha! Yes, together we can do so much–you are also proof of that!
Gros, gros bisous beautiful lady.
Exactly what the world needs right now, a positive presence like Wijnand. He reminds me of the gentle people I crossed paths with (normally in the forest) when I was living in the Pacific Northwest. It's nice to know that this kind of attitude is still around. Lately I haven't been so sure.
Thanks for sharing this Heather! : )
What a wonderful illustration of the wonders of the blogosphere! Such a delightful encounter. . .wish we lived close enough to put out the welcome mat and pour a glass of wine!
How inspiring! Heather thanks for sharing his story. Living in a city that is experiencing a serious uptick in gun violence has us all on edge and thinking about what we can do as individuals to create better connections, stronger communities and foster understanding. That Mr. Boob is just doing something – putting one foot in front of the other, bother literally and figuratively – is a great example to us all.
Sent this on to my son who knows people all around the world, I know someone will heed this call. This is my favorite blog post, Heather. It just shows the power we have if we all join together to get something good done. This is wonderful !!
Sister! That made me laugh out loud! Yep, definitely a handsome dude, inside and out. And it is a good reminder for us–not to project too far into the future, just to keep on going…
Have a great day, Sister. Love you.
Whoa – you didn't say what a hottie he was!!! Thanks so much for this post; not only did I get a little eye candy (ok, that's shallow, but still), but you reminded me of something I really need to hear right now – that we need to go through life one step at a time. That's HUGE! His journey is fascinating and inspiring, and I'm sure he will remember you, Remi, and Ben! (and what great photos – love the one of he and Ben at the market!). Merci, mon soeur!!
Hi Ann, his cart is pretty impressive I have to say. He can attach it to a belt around his waist so that the bars are resting by his hands–it takes hardly any effort to pull as long as he is on flat land. I don't remember the name of the company that designed it, only that they are Dutch and that they deliver world-wide.
Oh hooray Elizabeth, that is very cool of you. I know that he is very excited about his time in Italy–most especially for the food and who can blame him? We did our French best of serving him a mean apero though… 🙂