Day 33: Venice to Munich

Had a bit of time in the morning as I was only leaving at 13:35 so I went for a walk. Came into the train station from the North as I hadn’t been out that way.

Learned that the train station Santa Lucia was built on the former site of the church Santa Lucia which was demolished in 1860 to allow for the train station to be built. Santa Lucia‘s remains were moved many times, from Siracuse to a hidden place to Constantinople and several places in Venice. Today her relics remain at Saints Geremia and St. Lucia. She is the patron of the blind and those who suffer from eye diseases. She died as a martyr in 304 after being denounced by her former fiancée, tortured, burned at the stake, and eventually died through a dagger driven into her heart.

Managed to visit the church across from the train station, the Chiesa do San Simeon Piccolo, and was very pleased as it was open, no entrance fees, just for the crypt. Didn’t go there as I find crypts always a bit creepy. Nice to leave the noise outside and just sit and get quiet.

Finally I needed to change into my hiking boots, not looking forward to this at 28C but I know it will be colder on the train.

Had to book the train in the end because I waited too long, until the day before. Was hoping to take the bus, cheaper and I “miss my bus rides”! Had hoped to see a friend in Bozen but unfortunately it didn’t work out. I generally like train trips so it’s ok. If it wasn’t for the woman sitting in front of me who is talking non stop to the guy she just met by accident. I know her life story by now and I would just love a few minutes of quiet time! It’s been more than 4.5 hours now and it doesn’t look like she is going to stop talking at all until we get to Munich.

Soon we got closer to the mountains and there were orchards and vineyards everywhere!

Had passed Bressanone/Brixen on my way south, long tunnels through the Brenner Pass, the main crossing between Italy and Austria.

It’s a total of almost 7 hours from Venice to Munich. It took me 4 weeks plus about a week of bad weather delays!

Passing the mountains but with a lot less elevation along the train tracks. Feels like a dream that I actually hiked across. I guess I still haven’t quite processed it.

Leaving the mountains behind and on the home stretch to Munich. Kind of a cold humidity in the air. It smells like farms, forests, fields, and lifestock. Lots more green and forests, getting dark now. How quickly you can slip into a completely different landscape and culture in Europe, after about 6 hours on the train, some 300 + kilometres.

One thing I know for sure, I will keep on hiking! Maybe not the Dolomites but I miss the challenge, the exercise, the loneliness already. What a wonderful adventure this was. I feel so blessed.

I also really want to thank everyone who followed my blog and liked it or commented on it. You kept me going!!!! It was hard finding the time some days to upload or write things, not always possible because of missing reception, no wifi, or even no time and it took a lot more time than I thought it would. So thank you – Grazie Mille! ❤️