We met about 10 RC volunteers and workers at the base early on the morning on June 27, piled into a van, and headed off to Solferino. We found our way to the parking area and our leader checked us in at the welcome pavilion. I was totally blown away by the number of people there. They were from all over the world. There were a lot of Italians and just as many Germans, but all of the countries were respresented, hong kong, bangladesh, finland, sweden, costa rica, and on and on... Some of them had arrived up to week earlier and were living in a large tent city that the event organizers had created for them. There were displays and exhibits, and throngs and throngs of people; all of them there because of their committment to the Red Cross.
We stood in line at the back of flat bed truck to pick up our candles for the walk, then stood in line to see some exhibits, then stood in line to buy some Red Cross t-shirts. Apparently you can't have enough t-shirts because it's tradition to trade shirts with other walkers from around the world. We then hiked up the hill to the main Piazza of Solferino. We had reservations at a nice restaurant there, and the walk would begin from that Piazza. We were really excited to be there and to be able to participate in this amazing event. Cynthia was concerned because no one could give her a map of the course, and she always feels more comfortable with a map. We were told it's about a 5K (3 mile) walk and it would be amazing. Cyn and I aren't big time 'walkers', but how hard could a few miles be?
After we finished our pizzas, we joined the massive crowd in the piazza and listened to the pre-walk speeches and music. We started trading t-shirts and taking pictures with every one we saw. Then a little before dusk they give the signal and we all lit our giant 2 foot long candles and began our march. The excitment was a palpable buzz across the piazza and down the hill into Solferino. The locals came out on to their porches and balconies to wave and cheer us on. It was really cool...
And so we marched on... and on... and on... Out of the town of Solferino, and thru cornfields, and up hills, and down hills, and on, and on... And then the complaining started. We were mentally and physically prepared for 3 miles, maybe 5 miles, but as the sun set and the long trail of candle lights stretched out both in front of and behind us, we became more and more certain that we were in trouble. And the worst part was that no one could tell us anything; how much farther, how much longer, was there an easier way, nothing... My feet complained. My wife complained. The complaining intensified. I found myself in the role of cheerleader and slave driver pushing both of us ever onward. At one point, as we re-entered the city of Solferino, we thought we might be near the end. However as we turned a sharp corner in the road, we were greeted by a long steep hill back up to the Piazza where we started. Getting her up that hill took a force of will on both our parts, but I just kept saying that this hill was the end of the walk. We would be back at the Piazza where we started from, right? Well we ended up at the Piazza alright, but the winding, fiery snake of people didn't stop at the Piazza. Instead they just kept plodding on down another road. The complaints reached a new level.
At one point we stopped at an ambulance parked by the side of the road (Note: when you go to a red cross event, you can always count on good first aid stations), and asked them how much longer the course might be. They had no idea! That sent the redhead through the roof! She didn't have a map, she didn't know how long the walk was, and not even the event staff could help her! I offered the option of leaving her there, and I would ask our driver to come back after the walk was over, but who knew how long that would be. Like a a grouchy, little trooper, she marshalled on.
2 comments:
What a trooper you two were. Good Job!
Duane S.
Heelarious!! Good job you two!!
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