Connections Along the Way

Daily miles 31.79 | Total miles: 13,242.83

Cold coffee, packing the buggy, and off I was. A relaxed Saturday morning greeted me with a beautiful sunrise, and already I could sense what kind of day it would become.

Soon after starting, I found myself on a bicycle path running along a canal. The path was gravel and sometimes grass. Beautiful to look at, but quite strenuous when pushing a buggy over that kind of surface. Still, every time I slowed down and looked around, I thought: Wow, I am so lucky to be exactly here, experiencing all this beauty.

The sun was shining, and I greeted people along the way with a big smile on my face.

Already early in the morning, I met a woman out walking who made me smile when she called me a “forza naturale.” She wished me strength and all the best, and I continued on feeling happy and energized.

Later I met Giuliano, walking with his daughter Melody and their dog Stella. They were so enthusiastic and delighted about my run that once again I felt that warm happiness inside. These small encounters along the road make such a difference.

I stopped for a few coffees along the way. At one café, a man named Alessandro asked me for a picture. As the miles passed, I ran by many churches, castles, and other beautiful buildings — reminders of how much history surrounds these quiet roads.

Around noon, I started figuring out where I would sleep tonight. I had to make some decisions about the route into Vicenza, and as always, it’s interesting to plan a path and then simply trust it and go. Of course, the route pivoted a few times. I had to stop at a store to get some food, and there were several options along the way.

At some point I laughed at myself and thought, Really Andrea, can you make up your mind?

After shopping, with just about one mile to go, a woman on a bicycle rode up beside me and we immediately started talking. She spoke Italian, I spoke English — and yet somehow we communicated. When people speak Italian to me, I truly try to understand… but honestly, I often don’t understand a word. Some Swiss people are great language talents — I am not one of them.

But I enjoy the serenity of simply trying, listening, smiling, and communicating anyway.

After a while of talking, laughing, and taking pictures together, we both seemed to feel the same thing: it’s incredible how connected you can feel to someone in such a short time.

Then we realized something funny — my hostel was directly across from where she lives. “Vai, vai!” she said, encouraging me to go on. She pedaled her bicycle while I ran the final meters to our respective homes for the night. She showed me the place, the key boxes, her doorbell, and we agreed to meet tomorrow morning before I leave.

When I checked into the hostel, no one was there yet. A quiet moment that allowed me to catch up on some work. Later, Bubba and Stephan from France arrived — two DJs traveling through. We had a great conversation, and once again my day became richer through the people I met.

Now I’m sitting here eating a risotto, although I probably should already be in bed.

Another lovely day in Italy.

Ciao ragazzi, Andrea