The true spirit of Travel

Today is a no-cycling day.

It’s absolutely pouring in Puglia - more rain than they’ve ever seen, apparently. So we’re taking the train to Bari, a place we don’t know yet. I’ve heard there’s a beautiful cathedral there.

Last night in Serra Gambetta was fantastic. Beyond the exceptional food, we met some incredibly warm and open people. There are moments in life when you meet strangers and yet feel an immediate, genuine connection - last night was one of those moments.

We found ourselves around the table with Italians, French, Germans, and Americans, sharing common views about how the world after Trump feels increasingly chaotic. Tom was telling us about his plans to develop an exit strategy from the U.S. and move to Italy, as life there is becoming almost unbearable. It made me wonder whether I would do the same if Marine Le Pen or Jordan Bardella were to be elected in France and implement changes that could take years to undo. That’s what seems to be happening in the U.S. Trump’s policies are having a deep and lasting impact on everyday life, with reforms that, in many ways, stifle a free and cultivated human spirit.

We also talked about how humanity seems to keep repeating the same mistakes, over and over, at the expense of its own happiness.

I know if I were to meet Tom again in a few years, it would be like we met yesterday and we would continue our discussion where we left it. Have you ever noticed that life often offers like-minded people to cross paths more than once. When we said goodbye, we said: « see you next time! »

Travel is also about this: encounters, shared reflections, introspection as much as discovery and adventure.

Severine