Time for a word on photo 3 of the series. This too was taken back in 2017, as I walked along the via Francigena. The route passed by the Cascate di Monte Gelato, a pleasant series of waterfalls and pools, in the wooded Valle del Treja. I had already walked most of my way from Sutri towards Campagnano di Roma, so I took the chance for moment of well-deserved rest before the last stretch of walk for the day.

The photo captures something of the tranquillity of the place, the shade and the low waterfalls. I had taken the habit of including my backpack in my photos during that trip, a sort of indirect selfie — a token that I had been there as part of this pilgrimage. Walking over such distances taught me the virtue of travelling light, where less and less becomes essential, letting go of many “comforts”, and re-discover the simple joys of life.

Thrown over the rocks and my backpack are my t-shirt and shorts, drying off after a long walk. I had put down my backpack, stripped down to a pair of swimming shorts, and had a dip in the (very) cold water — what better way to cool off?

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Related posts:
– “We are all backpackers.” Wisdom of a wayfarer
– “We are all backpackers.” photo series – intro
– “Take like one step at a time.” – photo series
– “Sometimes, you just need to keep walking.” – photo series