Day 6 - from Fiavé to Arco

What a day. First, things didn't go as planned.

At around 12:30 pm, I left the hotel and, of course, didn't take the bus stop that was only a few meters away, but the one a few hundred meters further. I checked the timetable, sat on a bench, and was back on time. Eventually, a bus heading to Riva arrived, but on the other side of the street where there was no timetable. I thought the bus would turn around and come back. No, it didn't, because the timetable belonged to the bus stop across the street. You have to know that, of course. Then a bus to Ponte Arche arrived, oh no, wrong direction, but the driver took pity on me and explained that I could go to Arco via Ponte Arche and Sachre, which is where I wanted to go. Okay, so I took the bus to Ponte Arche and bought some snacks at the Coop, then went to Sachre where I had another break for over an hour. At some point today, I was really pissed off. The challenge now was not to let it get to me. Why would I, though? However, Sophia's motto didn't work because I already knew the way back to Ponte Arche. But taking the bus is practical, the rides are very interesting, the landscape is great, and my body signaled to me here and there that I made the right decision. I have to admit, this morning, in this beautiful weather, I briefly regretted or felt sorry that I gave up. But then I felt my big toe, my shins, my calves, my shoulders, and the rest of my over-aged body parts, and I told myself, 'Thomas, you made the right decision!'

Okay, the daily routine turned out differently than I had imagined, not necessarily with waiting at bus stops, but it brings peace. I was able to calm down and the stress, the rush, this constant high speed that has become normal today, disappeared. Acceptance was the magic word. Thommy, just accept it, you can't change it anyway.

My bus arrived, even on time, and eventually reached Arco. I knew I had to go somewhere in the city center, so I stayed on the bus, the first stop, the second stop, and then I pressed the button to get off. I could have saved myself that, it was the main station. I got off, shouldered my backpack, turned on my navigation system, and walked slowly towards the street. And what can I say, there it was, the 'Palace Hotel Cita'. Haha, how funny. That took away any chance of wandering around a bit more, too bad, then not.

After checking in, I went to my room, or servant's chamber at the end of the corridor. Well, it could have been worse. I was looking forward to the swimming pool and asked at the reception if I could use it. It was outside, and if I were sporty, I could give it a try. Oh no, I politely declined. Then the lady at the reception suggested the sauna, oh no, then I'll go take a shower, I said, which actually made her laugh.

Well, I didn't take a shower right away, but I did go to the most delicious ice cream parlor far and wide, according to Sven's verdict, and got three scoops of ice cream.

Oh yeah, Arco, the Mecca of climbers. Until a while ago, I was a hero with hiking shoes and Sven's borrowed Mammut jacket. Now I'm just a small light among all the super climbers with kilometer-long ropes and stuff around their necks. But that's okay (I haven't said that in a while), each person has their own abilities. My focus has been and still is elsewhere. My guitar teacher is much better, too. Well, he's been playing for a hundred years and practices every day. As I said, each person has their own abilities.

But back to the hotel. It feels like they're showing off here. Not my thing. Anyway, I come back to the hotel and there they are again, on their last trip to Italy (yuck, I said it again). Somehow, they must be brought here by the busload. And what's more, they're sitting in the foyer, waiting for the dining room to open, like at the supermarket in the morning or at the doctor's on Mondays. It's not a problem, but what language were they speaking? So I listened again, and... it was Saxon. Oh dear, that ruins Italy. But luckily, they're sitting at the other end of the dining room. It could have been worse. But next to me there's a German couple and a Dutch couple. They're having a very strange conversation. The Dutch woman speaks German well, but the Germans talk as if the Dutch don't understand anything.

Oh yeah, the service here is also something else. I have the impression that they don't like that I'm typing on my iPad during dinner. But actually, it's up to them what they think or not.

By the way, I met the goose and the fox (they look different here) who bid each other good night in Fiavé. I uploaded some pictures.

One thing I totally forgot was to update the map. I'll do that later.

So, dear readers, followers, and friends who have been following me faithfully. With Arco, I have reached my hiking goal, although with deviations from the plan, but I arrived safely. However, this also means that my blog is coming to an end. I will report on breakfast again tomorrow and plan to write a summary of my hike. But not in the next few days.

Until tomorrow morning, when it's 'standard breakfast' again.