Blog 10 It wasn’t Narnia

One has to wonder what was I thinking? A short train ride to walk to Amelia. A lovely hamlet that makes incredible wines and desserts! Not too far, I should go. So I did. Well, it was a gallant effort! Amelia is miles from the Narni-Amelia train station. And let us not forget, un-touristy areas close on Sundays.

Champion food forager that I am, this tidbit of information seemed to get lost somewhere. Worst case, I walk a couple hours, drink water, eat my protein bar and train home. Hmmm

Arriving at the train station, I see this very interesting village on a mountain side. It looks so enchanting! Oh Amelia, you don’t disappoint. Except Amelia is 13 miles away and I’m viewing Narni! A small bus to Narni shows up. I get on with some Italians and one speaks good English (sort of). No transportation to Amelia on Sundays. Yes I should review maps more often. Generally I do. Wouldn’t have mattered. I’m on an adventure!

Off we go. The bus driver says to call him (in Italian- translated for me) when we want to come back. A very nice Italian man gives me the bus number. I’m stoked!

This is not a great tourist town and it’s pretty chilly and windy out. The village should be fairly empty. We arrive at a ?? fountain in the main piazza, all get out and we go different ways. I’m venturing up a hill, past a church and onto a pedestrian only area. Some outdoor and indoor Christmas markets…fun holiday things. Nope. I just look. Whatever I buy, have to carry home. And I’ve learned!! I walk the town and the views are amazing.

Stopping for a Caprese sandwich, water and a cappuccino, I’m inside an ancient cafe and the sandwich is amazing. The water is my bottle. My bill is 3.50€ ! Clearly I’m in a cafe where the locals eat! Nearby a lovely church catches my eye. A few photos…I’m off!

And I walk a bit more. The wind is picking up, I’m ready to leave. I head to the fountain. A small cafe is there. More water at the cafe and I call the bus phone number. No answer. After 3 no answer calls, okay, he’s not coming. A taxi. I get the number from the cafe owner…and the taxi driver says: “I’m busy”. I ask about later, nope, he’s still busy and he’s the only taxi in town.

The drive up to Narni was a narrow busy road with no walkways or shoulders. Ugh! Not an option.

Clearly I’m running out of options. How to get down the mountain or find a hotel…or? Or be saved by the Danish couple in the cafe who speak English and offered a solution. They know a back way down the mountain that eludes the major highways. I’m in! The husband chats with the wife and they decide he will walk me to where I can then finish the walk by myself. Okay. I like to walk. Piece of cake. And plenty of sunlight left.

As we walk down a back road, we chat. How did they come to live in Narni, etc. Very sweet people and I’m grateful that nice people clutter my life so often. What a fun blessing! Now we are at the point he tells me how to finish the trek to the train station. Two young men are standing in the same area, and after listening to the Dane’s directions, they pipe up they are going in that direction and I can walk with them! Voila!! I profusely thank the Danish gentleman and the 3 of us depart down the mountain.

The two young men look Italian but are Pakistanis. One speaks a good English and we chat the entire time. He shares how Italy offers a good life and he’s trying for refugee status still…after 9 years in Italy. His friend is newer. We walk a long way. And then there is the station. We say our good byes and again, I thank them for a fun walk. It went quickly. By the time I got home, I’d walked 4.8 miles! Awesome.

At the Narni Amelia train station, a group of Italian ’scouts’ were singing to their friends across the platform. Just silly fun to watch. The Italians are such loving people.

So the adventure had some very interesting lessons. Sundays in small villages/towns can be a misadventure! Lesson learned! Again. But great fun. And I’m generally pretty good in the clinches!!! Would I recommend Narni? Nah. It looks huge but not so much to see. There is an underground ‘Sotternea’ like Orte. A number of these mountain top villages have them. No I don’t do these underground ruins. I’m tall, Italians/Etruscans were shorter. Nope. You go. There’s always plenty of photos on display. I’m good with that! Narni has numerous narrow walkways and really up and down traversing. Plus the transportation is iffy. And on Sundays, nope. If you go, drive.

Because Orte is a major train line, I know I will get home soon. Quick trip, small bus up the mountain and a short walk home. What a day! Will I go to Amelia? Sì! But perhaps a local bus through the week. Better transportation option.

A quiet dinner at home, a bit of movie watching, reading and sleeping in my own bed. ???

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