The Things That Shake Us—and Settle Us Again

Daily Miles: 22.84 | Total Miles: 13,893.5

I got up early, already thinking about a long day on the road. I had my hot coffee, started packing—and then noticed that my wallet wasn’t where it usually is. At first, it felt simple. I checked a few obvious places. Nothing. Then a few more. Still nothing.

My mind immediately started working through possibilities. Did I lose it yesterday when I booked the room? I hadn’t seen or used it since. It’s interesting how quickly the brain creates scenarios. I imagined where it could be, what might have happened to it, who might have picked it up. I stopped, told myself to check again. Maybe it’s right here.

I looked again. Nothing.

At that point, I started taking everything apart, carefully going through all my belongings. Still nothing. I began thinking more practically—two bank cards, a health insurance card, an ID, some cash. All in one place. No backup. Not ideal. I still had my passport, 15 euros, and some coins. Unfortunate, I thought. What now?

I sat down and tried to visualize the last time I had used it. I replayed the steps in my mind, trying to retrace everything. I checked again. And again. Slowly, a sense of desperation crept in.

I called the police—maybe someone had handed it in. The call was a mix of French and English. The officer suggested reporting it at the nearest station. I checked my bank accounts—no transactions since yesterday. That gave me a bit of relief. So I decided the best plan would be to run back the same way and try to find it before blocking the cards.

I spoke with Nathalie and her daughter. They were calm, understanding, supportive. I even asked Nathalie if, in the worst case, I could stay another night with only 15 euros on me. She checked and said yes. That meant a lot.

I got ready to leave, planning to go without the buggy. And then—one last look.

There it was.

Don’t ask where. It doesn’t matter. But the feeling… immediate relief. Lightness. Gratitude. Nathalie and her daughter were just as happy as I was.

It’s incredible how much impact something like a wallet can have. And at the same time, I was quietly proud of how I handled it—calm, structured, clear. That wouldn’t always have been the case. Nathalie gave me a small wristband for bon courage on my journey. A simple gesture, but meaningful.

I left after 8 a.m., knowing that today wouldn’t be the long run I had originally planned. It would be a shorter day.

And it turned out to be a difficult one.

I don’t know if it was the stress from the morning, my general tiredness, or just the wind—but everything felt heavy. The wind was relentless again. My eyes were burning, I had to squint for most of the day. It was uncomfortable, even if I try to stay neutral toward these conditions. Today, I didn’t like it.

When I finally arrived at the hotel in Miramas, I felt relieved. It’s a solid place, well built—but even here, I can hear the wind as if I were still outside, almost like being in a tent. It’s incredibly strong.

But that’s part of it.

I’m here to learn, to adapt, to find solutions, to grow.

I had dinner, and now I’ll take a shower and rest. Tomorrow is another day—and as always, I’ll make the best of it.

Be well, Andrea