If you don't like sad stories please don't read on. Stop where you were and just let my trip end in the curtain of water.
When I turned in for bed last night I reached for Wistful for company. But she was not there. I sat up in panic and rummaged through rucksack, bag and tent. I went out in the night, and flip flopped back to the bustop to check if she had fallen on my way up the hill. But I went to sleep without my bear.
Now many may say, ahhh that's daft... tis only a bear! But if I can just say Wistful has been with me on all my wanderings and has been as vital a part of this blog as I. Today I will go in search.
Up very, very early... camp down, bike packed, breakfasted and out and it was only 8.30. I cycled back into Budapest. I knew where I had been, what stops I had made and where I may have left my bear.
I have searched the bins in Parliment square and accosted the street cleaners. I have sat in a resteraunt whilst the manager has looked at CCTV. I have sat outside the Turkish baths and waited for the change of staff so as to ask... Have you seen my bear. I even have a piece of paper with the words written in Hungarian (thank you kind camp lady) so as I can put forward my plight to those who don't understand my language. And finally I have sat at the bus terminal and I have watched and asked every bus driver on the 291 service... Do you know my bear.
I have no happy ending for you here. I have no grand reunion. I have tears in my eyes and a hole in my heart for my lost travelling companion.
I have asked Saint Anthony for help but even the Saint of lost things has no answer. I am bereft as I sit on the plane taking off knowing my bear is somewhere down below in Budapest. I can only pray that my bear is about to go out on her own journey and to continue to wander. I hope she has a hand to hold when she's lonely and I can ony trust in the Universe that this was meant to be.
Ahhhhhh Wistful. You have been such a good friend and I'm going to miss you.
I hope to see you all again next year and forgive the sad ending to what had been one of the most remarkable trips of my life. I had no intention that I would be travelling by water and flowing back to source but as I think about it... What else was it going to be.
Crossing the road... if you should see a little bear with a jingle jangle necklace crossing the road in front of you, stop and wave and say "Hallo" to Wistful from me.
Sheila x
2 comments:
Ahhh, I'm so sorry to hear that you and Wistful have become parted. A sad ending to a remarkable story. Well done for doing the journey and keeping us all entertained through your blog - very inspirational!
What a mesmerising blog, but with such a sad ending. I was so sorry to read about Wistful.
A friend and I wondered if you could set up a facebook page, maybe even offering a reward, to see if Wistful can be returned (after her solo adventure). It would be a way of harnessing the power of social media.
Just an idea because I felt so sad reading about the loss of such a faithful, little friend.
Thank you for such a wonderful account of your water inspired journey.
Amazing!
Post a Comment