Riva Del Garda, Thurs, 9/10

Still figuring it out.

I woke up today at 7 am to the banging of the bell tower again. I didn’t levitate quite as much. I went into the kitchen to make coffee and realized the tile was warm which led to figuring out that ALL the radiators were on! No wonder it was so hot in here. So those are all off now.

5 of the 6 in the group were hiking to a chapel that we have been eyeing on the side of the mountain. Dea and Mike had hiked it the last time they were in Italy. I joined them at 9:30 after a LONG time on the phone with the bank verifying myself and I was the one purchasing items in Italy. Figuring it out.

We took the ‘funicular’ straight up the mountain to the trail head and began our very steep hike to ‘Chiesa di Santa Barbara’ the chapel. WOWSA it was hard. Climbing, bouldering, water running down the path, switchbacks etc. I pushed myself, I will say it hurt so good. Along the way about ¾ up is a hostel, not in use right now.

I was the first out of the group to make it to the chapel and inside people had put pictures of loved ones, momentos, there was a sign in book, a Virgin Mary, rosary beads etc. As soon as I saw the pictures of loved ones, I lost it. I cried missing my Jaden. I truly felt I had a moment with him there on the side of that mountain. I am on this adventure because I HAVE to keep living, keep experiencing while I am still here. I crave for my mind to learn, to be forced more open by other ways of life, cultures, chapels on sides of mountains, meeting new people, learning what I’m capable of and what I am not. I have to keep figuring it out. We are not promised ANYTHING.

The group was super sympathetic and comforting. On our way back down, I got a tad distracted by some snail shells and got separated from the group. In my la la land, I missed the turn to go down to the restaurant where the ‘funicular’ is located. I realized this and climbed my way back up a ways, a tad mad at myself and so super tired and weak. But…..I figured it out and the fine people in my group had a beer waiting for me when I arrived and it was the BEST tasting beer I have had in a very long time. My body was capable, my mind was capable and I had the will to not let it overtake me. I mean, I did find a nice handful of snail shells and 1 particular big one I was elated to spot in the wild. Pretty sure that’s when I missed my turn.

My apartment was nice and cool when I arrived back, coffee tasted great and my body is relaxed and accomplished. Onward.