Flowers, Numbers, and the Road to Revere

Daily miles 29.57 | Total miles 13,30641

I got up a little after 6 a.m. Hot capsule coffee, a croissant, yogurt, packing, organizing the buggy—and a little after 7:30 a.m., I was on the road.

The forecast said it wouldn’t be as hot today, but it would stay dry. I knew I would run about 30 miles to a Bed and Breakfast I had booked earlier in the morning.

The way out of Verona was a bit of a squeeze. Traffic jams heading out of the city, and I tried to find sidewalks, shoulders—any little space where I could move forward safely. Eventually the city faded behind me, and I settled into a good rhythm of easy running, enjoying that familiar meditative state that often comes with long miles on the road.

At mile six I stopped briefly for a break and then continued on. Later I passed a road construction site where all the workers waved and cheered me on. Small gestures like that always bring a smile.

At mile 18 I reached Nogara, where I had already decided I would stop for a coffee. Near the center of town I spotted a small café on the left. I parked the buggy outside, drank about half a liter of water—it was thirsty weather—and stepped inside.

Franco, sitting at a table, greeted me warmly with a hearty “Buongiorno!” The woman behind the counter smiled and welcomed me as well. I ordered a cappuccino and bought a small almond treat. I asked if I could recharge my phone and plugged it in.

On the counter I noticed bright yellow flowers—mimosa—and asked why I had seen so many of them yesterday. They explained that the woman behind the counter had received them from Franco for International Women's Day.

“Ah,” I said.

At that moment Franco stood up and said, “Aspetta.” He left the café and returned almost immediately with a small bunch of mimosa flowers and handed them to me.

I loved it. I love flowers.

I told him how happy that made me.

We started talking, and I soon realized that Franco lives with Parkinson's disease. He asked me for my name and began doing calculations on a small piece of paper. When I asked what he was doing, he simply said again, “Aspetta.”

Soon Simone came in, and suddenly we had a lively English–Italian conversation going. People came and left while Franco remained deeply focused on juggling numbers on his little note.

Then—da da da da—like a drumroll, Franco proudly announced that in numerology I am number seven.

I have no real idea about numerology, so later I googled it. Apparently, the number 7 represents the seeker, the thinker, the one searching for wisdom and deeper understanding.

We all laughed.

I could easily have spent the whole afternoon there, but it was time to continue. Before I left, they gave me a heart-shaped candle and a small heart cookie with auguri written on top. I rolled away with mimosa flowers on the buggy and a very happy heart.

Completely revitalized, I continued running through the warm afternoon with a big smile on my face.

About three miles before the Bed and Breakfast, I stopped to buy some groceries. Then I enjoyed the final stretch, crossing the Po River before entering the historic town of Revere.

My Bed and Breakfast is located right next to the Museo del Po, in a building that seems wonderfully old and full of character. Everything here feels beautiful and peaceful.

Laura, Stefano, and their daughter welcomed me warmly. I can even use their kitchen, and once again the room is far nicer than I really need—but I definitely enjoy it.

Now it’s time to prepare for tomorrow.

Thank you for checking in. Andrea