Distance Walked: 20 km, 6 hours (including breaks)
Accommodations: Gracciano Parrocchia, San Marziale 1, 53034 Gracciano D’Elsa , 6 beds. Very basic. Cost: Donation. Tel.3297465518 – feaesi@gmail.com
When preparing for this trip, one of my worries was needing to speak Italian, on the phone, without assistance. That opportunity came last night when I called ahead to book tonight’s stay. At the start of the phone call, I asked (in Italian) if the priest spoke English. I was expecting a cheerful “Why of course” or at least a “un po” (“a little bit”). Instead I received a definite “no”.I panicked, and then quickly forged ahead:
”Sono una Pellegrina in Via Francigena. Vorrei prenotare due letti per domani.”
To my utter surprise, the priest seemed to understand without hesitation. He took my name, confirmed the reservation and said “A domani” (See you tomorrow). Okay…so maybe it wasn’t quite Rocket Science, but I was immensely proud!
More good news – Richard’s cold is slowly getting better. Even more noteworthy, the overall inflammation that has plagued his joints, muscles and tendons for the past nine months seems to be subsiding. His body has not felt this good since last September. Maybe it’s a coincidence, or perhaps the old saying is true: “Motion is the Magic Lotion!”
We are currently planning on a very short walking day tomorrow. Here are a few pics from today.
P.S. No one had mentioned the need to forge over water!
Retirement Reflections 
Glad to read your Italian has paid off, Donna! Impressive! Bummer about Richard’s cold, but so glad he is better. I suppose leisure will heal faster than anything else. Just a not to mention that my surgery went very well yesterday and I am now enjoying some downtime at home. Hate the crutches so I ordered a knee scooter, and my daughter is driving up from San Diego for a few days to lend me a hand. Keep on trekking, the weather looks lovely!
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I’m so glad to hear that your surgery went well Terri. I am sending you warm wishes for a speedy recovery!
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Congratulations on the Italian, the healing, everything! And thank you for taking the time to blog and share the wonderful photos. The one crossing the stream is my favourite – reminds me of the type of walking I love best, on trails!
Deb
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Thanks, Deb – I was never a fan of forging across water (of any depth). I have quickly learned to suck it up! 🙂
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Ah, good for you with the Italian!! Hmm, maybe there is something to the old saying about motion 🙂
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Hi, Dee – Richard’s inflation is still down. That old saying may be true! 🙂
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Congrats, Donna, on your Italian-speaking success, and Richard’s recovery! Thank you for your continued updates and photos. I was reading up on the different Caminos last night 🙂
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Hi, Natalie – I highly recommend a Camino to you. I believe that you would greatly enjoy it!
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So glad to hear that Richard is feeling better both in terms of the cold and his joints! And Bravo for the Italian. I love the photos. Thanks for sharing! ~Kathy
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Thanks, Kathy -I am replying on Day 23 (better late than never)! Richards cold is just ending now…but his inflammation is seeming to be much better than it has been before the walk.
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Hooray for Richard’s health and your linguistic skills!
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Thanks, Anabel – My linguistic skills still need much work. But they seem to be getting us through…especially in times of need!
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👍 on your Italian…..glad that the cold is slowly getting better and an end to the body aches and pains! Motion is always a healer😎 keep the pictures coming looked like a great experience ❣️
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Thanks, Georgia – I appreciate your kind words and positive wishes!
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I am so impressed that you not only spoke Italian well enough to be understood but you also understood the reply. You obviously benefited from you pre-hike lessons. Good to know that Richard is feeling better. I hope the pain from inflammation is a thing of the past!
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Thanks, Janis – Now I need to make a plan to keep up language learning and increased fitness. For me, that is always easier said than done! 😉
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Thank you for helping me learn Italian😂. Since there was no translation for the phrases you used with the non English speaking Padre, I had to do some research and if forced me to work and use my brain. As a teacher, you may have intended that outcome ha ha. Well, i learned something and glad things are going well on this trip.
Warm regards from a cozy couch in California, 😅🌅😅
Susan Grace
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Thanks, Susan – I plan to be on a cozy couch soon!! 🙂
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Oh well done you! I remember our first trip to Italy, Mike (who is fluent in Italian) made me go into a bank and ask for a cash advance on my credit card. I stood in line practicing over and over the sentences but when I got to the teller I just handed him the credit card and went blank! Fortunately I could converse with Mike’s relatives who were very patient with me. xx
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Thanks, Sue – Your experience at the bank is totally something that I would do! 🙂
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Beautiful scenery. Your Italian training sure is coming n handy.
Amazing about Richard’s muscles – Dennis is wondering who the guy with the whiskers is . 🙂
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Thanks, Brenda – I am not sure if the beard will make it back to Canada! 🙂
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Brava! Ben fatto. E abbastanza difficile a parlare in/a telefono. I need to brush up on mine. Makes the lessons worthwhile. Avanti. Sempre Avanti. Luisa
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I am totally jealous of your fluent Italian!
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Great on the Italian classes paying off:). Forging over water would make me wonder whether I was on the correct path. You are still here to tell the story, so all must have gone well:)
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Okay, so perhaps the water wasn’t all that deep. But I totally wasn’t expecting that! 🙂
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So impressed with your Italian!! Well done! Oh I so want to go to Italy…
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Make plans to come here, Sam! You will absolutely love it!
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It’s bad enough speaking an unfamiliar language. Trying to do it on the phone seems to be so much worse. Kudos!
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Hi, Joanne – Needing to communicate in Italian, on the phone, was one of my biggest fears for this trip. If Hot Yoga has taught me anything, we have nothing to fear but fear itself (and of course spiders and snakes)! 🙂
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Definitely spiders and snakes!
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Hi Donna – good to know Richard is feeling better and that that cold is improving … well done on the Italian conversation/booking – excellent …
PS I love the way you’ve set this all out … with sights along way if one feels so inclined. Excellent – cheers Hilary
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Thanks, Hilary- Shortly after this post, I left off many of the sights to see (unless I had an anecdote about them).Sorry about that!
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A good idea to have brought hiking poles, for forging over water, etc. I use mine to spare my knees whenever I hike steep trails.
Jude
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Hi, Jude – I believe that hiking poles are a good idea for all Caminos…because you just never know. Mine are lightweight and fold up to fit inside my pack. It’s a win-win!
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