The Traveling Shoes

The story of The Traveling Shoes continues...

The wonderful Traveling Shoes project began when kalacaw (Betty) posted a response video to a contest run by debstef in May 2007. She wanted her prized possession, a miniature pair of shoes carved by her grandfather, to travel the world, to bring people together using You Tube as the means to document it.

Kalacaw requested debstef be the first custodian and starting point for the shoes' journey.
From there, the shoes went to MrsAtomicUs5000 in Texas and she passed them to MrAtomicUs5000 in New York. I was then selected to receive the shoes. At the time, I was living in Milan, Italy and now reside in England, so the shoes have been with me in both countries. They've been on a long trip, nearly a year now, but are ready to move on. I will be posting a vlog in the next few days to announce who the next custodian of the shoes will be.
There have been several videos made so far of the shoes' journey so if you would like to catch up I suggest you visit kalacaw's channel and have a look through the Traveling Shoes playlist.

Or the shortlist for a quick recap:

The update video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaaP9-pRNlc
kalacaw's video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLc50cFBBF4
debstef's video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnRYw-CRQ7w
MrsAtomicUs5000
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlvJMrDu3NM
MrAtomicUs5000
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xawpb2IU3Ao

Excerpt from kalacaw's blog on the project
http://kalacaw.wordpress.com/
"It occurs to me that these shoes are the only things I have that are truly "passed down" things. My Dad was very specific about this. That fleeting thought, "How can I do this?" shakes me a little. "How can I let these shoes leave my hands, to destinations yet unknown!?" I've nothing left of family but memories and things, and now I'm letting go the most important of the lot. Then I thought of all the people who would hold those little shoes in their hands. They would know I loved them very much to do this. They are the reason I'm doing this. It's the biggest thing I can think to do. After remembering that, I'm comforted. I know I've done the right thing. And my Dad would have loved this."

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• LeSaMilano
• traveling
• shoes
• Milan
• Italy
• London
• Devon
• Dartmoor
• England
• kalacaw
• Travel
• Log
• peace
• world
• earth
• globe

[andymooseman]

Wow. Now that's one hell of a video Lesley & i can't believe that i've not commented on it before!

A great message there. I loved the Carl Sagan quote, one of my faves.

And thanks for bringing back good memories of making that very same train journey by the coast, many years ago :)

[LeSaMilano]

well thank you Andy. The travelling shoes have been near and dear to my heart since the beginning - which is hard to believe but began 18 months ago!

I was hoping someone would recognize that stunning view from the train! :)

[dogpatchdebbie]

I just love those little pair of shoes...so cute:)

Great video...great words of wisdom!

Thanks for sharing Bobchai:)

[LeSaMilano]

The shoes really are darling - and I just love the idea of them traveling around the world bringing people together. Thank you for watching and thanks Bob!

[woodenshoesjeroen]

Dear Lesley, what a beautiful video this is, and so true. You got me there nailed to my chair for 10 min. excellent!! thanks for continuing this great project. cheers, jeroen

[LeSaMilano]

Thank you Jeroen. (I replied before but it didn't stick!)

This video is one that took me the longest to make - in both filming and editing, so I really appreciate your attention span! I hope the shoes come to you one day. :)

[LeSaMilano]

thank you! most kind you are!

[LeSaMilano]

I'm one of those people, too. 10 minutes is long for me, and I had considered making 2 films but in the end decided to keep it together. Thank you so much for watching. :)

[kiaweking]

I concur. Most excellent!

[clubsoda921]

I usually pass vids that are 10 min but I am glad I did not pass this thanks