Walking round the World-Orleans
Posted by stevelowton on July 5, 2008
A few days after walking out of Paris we were in Orleans. We diverted from our most direct route to the south for we could not forsake her twin of New Orleans; hit just a few weeks ago in that summer of 2005 by Hurricane Katrina. Here we discovered that Joan of Arc is the patron saint of this city, for in 1429, against all odds, she delivered the French from the imperialistic English. So this blog is dedicated to the countless Joan of Arc’s of our time. If you are unsure who I have in mind you need to know that Laura Robson, for all her wonderful tennis as the new junior champion of Wimbledon is not one of them! Rather I have to miind those who have been around a little longer. Let me mention a few.
Sharon Simpson is my first, who on Friday night tried desperately to frighten off the killers of the 18th and latest victim of knife crime in London, Shakilus Townsend. What incredible courage.
Susan Loone is my second, a Malaysian human rights activist, living in Bangkok but sown into the ground of her nation, Malaysia.
Thirdly the women of New Orleans, who, its been said, through their pre-existing social networks were able to mobilise for successful evacuation, saving countless lives.
Lastly, Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Prize winner, who as of today, has been under house arrest in Burma for 12 yrs and 255 days.
What stories need to rise from these cities and nations? How powerful is the pen for those willing to go in search of their own story, and that of their nation?
In the days ahead I will be taking you down through France as we journeyed through that most beautiful of nations. Somehow it felt with every step we were uncovering stories that need to be told.
