4th September - Italian Encounter

Trieste

Rijeka appeared out of the mist as the ferry approached the Croatian coast. Disembarking, I saw 2 hitchhikers trying to hitch a lift with the exodus. Good idea, but I was committed to coffee with Toby and Kathrin. So, we wandered into Rijeka under a leaden sky, the drizzle dampening more than just my clothes. However, finding an umbrella left at the coffee shop did lift my spirits. Somehow, with a combination of wandering and asking we found ourselves on boat. Which had computers, free internet and a lot of polished wood. Cheap, tasty coffee. Ah, bliss for the traveler. Sent an emergency couchsurfing request, did some shopping, said my goodbyes to Toby and Kathrin, hopped on a bus to Trieste. Quite a nice city. However, I didn't have such a long time to look around. Was wondering around the seafront, met some nice people and then checked the internet. Someone had responded to my request, so I printed out the directions and hoped on a train to Vicenza! It is pretty close where I needed to get to so, no worries.

Although I did forget to validate my ticket! Freaked out a bit, but then met an Italian hitchhiking guy called Elia, who had also forgotten to validate his ticket! So, together we went and talked to the controller and everything was sweet. Had a great talk with Elia and he gave me his personal recipe for vin brulé.

I arrived in Vicenza with the memory of the Google Maps street layout and some printed directions. At 9pm. I found my way, navigating overpasses and back streets. I get there only to find Robino! He was one of the guys who organised the 789 meeting in Odessa! Was even more funny, because the host wasn't there, just all his guests! So, Max (the host, but don't let him hear you call him that) has pretty much one of the most open houses in CSing. Usually hosting 4 people, but has hosted 17 in the past! He gives you a set of keys and says "The house is yours". Truly fantastic. We even used my recipe for mulled wine that night. Met Linda and Charles, couple of cool CSers. Slept on a bed for the first time since Greece...