21km — 32oC and partially cloudy — We met 7 more pilgrims on their way to Rome.
(By Jim)
The morning sky was clear so we packed our rain gear away and headed into Cavaglia to find a bar and the VF. The rain had cleared the haze from the valley so as the sun rose we could see the mountains we had walked through a week before. Fields of rice, corn, and soy beans were beginning to look familiar as we transitioned from slopes to the valley floor. It was nearly three hours before arriving in Santhia and an opportunity for a cold drink. It was getting hot and with no shade, the next 9 km to San Germano Vercellese was tough on both of us. We had tried to reserve beds at the hostels in both Santhia and San Germano Vercellese but with no luck, so we decided to take the train on to Vercelli, where we did manage to reserve a couple of beds at Hospitale Sancti Eusebi.
The hostel was run by VF volunteers and was a delight to stay at and experience the international fellowship of pilgrims. Supper was an opportunity to meet some new pilgrims and get reacquainted with people we had met days before and now felt like old friends. Remy from France, who we met at Col du Saint Bernard was there and so was Claudia, the 72 year old German super walker we had met in the rain two days earlier.
The volunteers outdid themselves to feed us and make us feel welcome and included. As we retired to our dorm, they told us that breakfast would be ready at 5:30. Finally, a place where we could get breakfast and an early start.
Yesterday’s rain had cleared the haze to showcase the mountains that we spent a week walking through.
Checking into Hospitale Sancti Eusebi. The volunteers were so welcoming.
Nice to have the communal supper! Was there a common language?
ReplyDeleteThe volunteers ate with us, as well — there were 5 Italians, 5 French, 1 German, and us 2 Canadians. French was spoken the most, and also some English and of course Italian.
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