Wednesday, December 10
Last week, I met a friend of a new acquaintance. Georgette is 66 years old and would easily pass for someone 10 or more years younger. She is originally from Scotland but has lived on this island for over 10 years. We had a very nice visit, swapping our stories about how we ended up here. She knows a lot of people and could certainly answer any questions I might have about things to do, places to shop, etc. She teaches a dance fitness class twice a week (think Zumba) and is very outdoorsy. She is incredibly fit and seems like a potential friend in the making.
She mentioned the nature hikes she goes on regularly and said she was planning to take some people through a boulder field she knows well. She hadn’t been on it recently, so she wanted to check out the trail to make sure it wasn’t overgrown. She asked me if I would like to accompany her. I asked her how difficult the terrain was and she said that there would be a bit of climbing on the rocks but that she does it regularly with no problems. So… I agreed to join her.
I took a couple of buses and ended up on a part of the island I had yet to visit.
Georgette arrived about ten minutes later on another bus and off we went. In no time we were nearing an area with a breathtaking view of the water.
On we went down a worn path that was uneven and slippery in places, but navigable even for someone like me. Having broken my left femur 40 years ago, a hip replacement and several foot surgeries, my balance is increasingly poor.
As we entered the boulder field, Georgette scrambled across the rocks like a mountain goat. I, on the other hand, did not. After about 10 minutes, I asked her approximately how much further. Oh, about an hour, she said. And that’s when I decided to swallow my pride and tell her that it would probably be best if we turn back. The last thing I needed was to slip and break something in the middle of nowhere. I later learned that just last week a hiker had to be helicoptered out of that very boulder field.
My hiking partner was truly gracious and thought nothing of turning back. She then led me to a nearby cave where she occasionally holds her fitness classes. It was spectacular.
From here, we headed back. Georgette knows the local flora and fauna like the back of her hand. She pointed out several plants and flowers along the way.
About an hour later, we arrived at the square in Nadur where stands the Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul. Just one of several I plan to see.
I continue to learn lessons daily. For example, when at remote bus stop, the bus driver will drive right past unless you wave at them. And when you forget to do so, you probably have to wait another 45 minutes or longer for the next one to come by. Well, at least Uber is reliable, albeit a bit more expensive. Depending upon where I am on the island, I have paid anywhere between $7 and $17 for a ride home. Sometimes it’s worth it. After all that hiking and walking, it was for me.
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