Walking Across Italy

This day was brutal, but thanks to the kindness of 3 strangers, it has a silver lining. First, after walking 17 km (11 miles) of what was supposed to be a 30 km (18.75 miles), we arrived at a hilltop town around 12:30 for lunch. Unfortunately, the lunch venue was closed, we were informed about another spot about 500 meters away. That turned out to be a pizza place, but when we asked about getting pasta, she called the cook and he made is some farfalle with marinara and basil. It was wonderful. Thanks Giuseppe.

The next good deed came much later in the day. We took a wrong turn and went 2 km out of our way before we realized it. We had to backtrack. And then, it happened again late in the day. Our 30 km hike turned into a 38 km hike (25 miles) and had us walking on a main road in the dark, looking for our apartment. As things were getting worse, an angel appeared in a pickup truck. She asked where we were going and told us to hop in the truck bed and she would drop us off at our b&b. Thank you Christina, you saved our lives.

Shortly thereafter we met our third angel, Patricia. We are staying in a small town (400 people) and by the time we arrived, the 2 restaurants were closed. Patricia is the proprietor of a gas station and bar. We explained our situation and ordered us some pizza to be delivered from the next town over. She was amazing! She took charge and when we told her it wasn’t necessary, she insisted and scolded us like a mother. Voi avete mangiare! (you have to eat!) What an angel. Thanks Patricia.

These are just 3 instances where local italians go out of their way for strangers. Grazie a tutti! Sto molto stanco, ma molto felice.