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I didn’t sleep well. Again. That needs to stop quick. As I leave very early, I can’t say goodbye to Rémi, still asleep. Maybe I will see him on the way back through Lyon though?

The first train of today (and fourth overall) is also the first one to be late. As we are nearing the Alps, the relief begins to appear on the horizon. It’s only after changing for the fifth train in Chambéry, that it starts to express itself clearly. It’s great to be back in mountainous areas. Train rides in those are always the most spectacular, and that one didn’t disappoint.

Before entering the Fréjus tunnel, where the border is located, we were all told that masks were still mandatory in all italian transports, and we were forced to put them on, or even to buy on for those who didn’t bring any. The fact that it had been about one hour that we were all together in that train didn’t seem to matter much. Bureaucracy…

But here we are, country number 2, Italia!

I immediately find back the typical Italian alpine roads, which are more akin to bridges really, than to roads dug on the mountain side. It’s good to be back in foreign land! Except for a week-end in London last month, it’s my first time abroad since 2019, when I crossed back from this very border. I first step in Torino (Turin), arriving at the modern and ugly Porta Susa station. On my way to the old and beautiful Porta Nuova station, I got chatting with a fellow French backpacking woman. She was arriving at her destination, while I kept on going, so we didn’t talk much, but I was pleasantly surprised with the ease with which I picked up a conversation with a complete stranger. I’m a very shy and often socially anxious person, but travelling does help you big time on that regard. I hope I can make some friends during the trip!

I then took a regional oven, I mean the sixth train, towards Genova (Genoa). But heat didn’t matter much. As we sped through the italian countryside, I finally got it back. It kicked in. That sweet feeling of absolute freedom, of living the life, of going forward, moving again. The initial stress of the first days completely vanished to let space to this new one. I’m going places. God I missed that!

Alps are back as we reach the coast and Genova, which is a vertical city. There are three free(!) funiculars that will bring you to the heights of the town, that I took as my seventh and eighth « train ». And what a view! Building-covered hills gently soothing into the Mediterranean, as the sun was soon to settle for the night.

And so was I why, so I took the funicular back down, and headed back downtown. Genova is riddled with delicious tight tight street and larger pedestrian alleys, where large colourful buildings with classic-style colonnades and sculptures are common sights. Lovely city, I recommend. After a quick dinner in the pedestrian zone, I headed back to the first hostel of the trip.

I’m back on the road, and that feels fucking great. 🙂