We are two friends from Cagliari who, for various reasons, decided to undertake—before other, more renowned pilgrimages—the Bonaria Pilgrimage, the one in our region. We set out hoping to complete the entire route, even though we both had some minor physical issues, but this hope soon turned into a strong motivation that grew day by day, fueled more and more by the positive feelings we drew from our fantastic landscapes and the wonderful people we met along all 14 stages.
The most profound reflection this journey inspired in me was that I had spent two weeks completely immersed in an almost mystical atmosphere, punctuated by the silences, the scents, and the beauty that unfolded day after day. The physical exertion was soothed by these unique emotions and by the realization that I had a friend and colleague by my side, with whom I shared anecdotes and experiences from over 25 years of working together. I love to recall his words: “It was our previous life’s journey.”
The organization did an excellent job of mapping out the routes and providing support through the various coordinators, who offered us both moral and practical assistance whenever we had any questions throughout the entire journey; we checked in with some of the coordinators every evening to see how things were going.
I could write about so many other emotions I’ve felt and wonderful people I’ve met, but I don’t think it’s possible to convey them in writing. You have to experience them for yourself. So take this journey and share it with others—for what it gives to the soul, leaving you with inner peace. I like to think that this might be the work and plan of Our Lady of Bonaria.
Have a safe trip, Carlo and Alberto
