8. Out of the Idyll

I leave the Romita, I did not accept the invitation to stay. My theme is hiking, even though I really enjoyed the time spent in this group.

There were some excellent singers and a variety of instruments, as well as musical talents. The prayers and services were very touching. Whenever the traditional Easter song 'E la Pasque del Signore' was sung, I felt transported back to the time of Taize.

Now I am on my way again, an hour downhill, through forests and rocks. Then the landscape changes dramatically. The mountains look almost like the Bavarian foothills of the Alps. I pass a quaint typical Umbrian mountain village, Cesi, before I reach the valley. And here I discover the most charming bar I have experienced since Florence. A small shop with old furnishings, where you can buy all the essentials. A tiny terrace with two small tables. At one of the two, I sit and am just telling my daughter on the phone about my misadventures in the woods on the way to the Romita di Cesi. Suddenly, a flyer floats down in front of my eyes and lands on the table. It says: '… set out and reach your goals, with hiking/pilgrimage guide Hermann'.

An Austrian hiking guide has overheard my conversation and acted immediately. He, his companion, and I can hardly contain our laughter.

The rest of the hike isn't so funny anymore. I have to get through Terni to reach my accommodation. Terni has the charm of the Wuppertal train station district. There is nothing special to see, and I can devote all my attention to my watch: 'What, only three of the promised 90 minutes have passed again?'

Then it becomes quite varied. I have to go under the highway bridge. Unfortunately, there is only the inner-city express lane provided for that. First, the entrance to the highway, then a large roundabout. There is no alternative for pedestrians in sight (that would definitely be a case for hiking guide Hermann). I first try the accompanying green strip next to the highway entrance. Hip-high weeds make progress almost impossible. Then I must go on the express lane under the highway. No pedestrian path in sight. But how wise of the city of Trevi: right next to the express lane underpass without a pedestrian path is the accident clinic.

In close combat with Italian drivers on the express lane, I have a proven tactic: I extend my hiking poles sideways, with the tips pointing toward car paint. This usually helps a lot to gain their respect.

Finally, I just need to somehow get over the roundabout and walk through the industrial area. There are two rather confusing overlapping and intersecting pedestrian over- and underpasses for crossing a roundabout and a railway track. An excellent spatial position exercise. Lastly, I have to overcome a construction site that wants to deny me access to the street I want to take. Here too, I push through and am almost there.

Tomorrow morning I am taking the bus.