Since June Go Isla Go has crossed the Italian border to pass first in Austria and then in the Czech Republic and Germany. A journey through beautiful landscapes, dense forests and many mountains. A lot of effort but also a lot of hospitality.
This solidarity trip aims to raise funds for the girls welcomed in the Family home and we have therefore tried to reduce the costs incurred for pedaling to zero. We were hosted by volunteers and supporters and we were also welcomed through platforms dedicated to low cost travelers such as Couchsurfing or Warmshower. This gave us the opportunity to meet many people and to spread our project to people who had never heard of Isla ng Bata. It was nice to receive attention and solidarity from complete strangers, it gave us hope and infinite optimism!
«I slept in a structure run by friars in Innsbruck, talked with them until late in the evening about Isla’s projects and shared life experiences. I was hosted by young boys and by older couples, they gave me a bed or a comfortable sofa to rest after the fatigue of this very long ride. Someone along the way offered me breakfast or lunch, fixed my bike, or offered me coffee. I left full of hope, hope in solidarity and in the goodness of the people and I am more and more convinced of that idea».
«After Innsbruck, every day I faced rain and wind which slowed my path. I fell into the mud and for a moment I thought I was really hurt. I didn’t want to interrupt my journey for anything in the world and luckily I didn’t have to, but the anxiety was great. I shot through woods and important differences in height, I saw beautiful landscapes and met groups of llamas in truly unexpected places. In Munich, to be exact in Dachau, I met volunteers I hadn’t seen for years and whom I hugged again as if we had met the day before. Often this is how, when you have lived important experiences together, no distance can interrupt that bond of deep friendship and affection».
«After Germany, several stops await me in Denmark. I will cross the country with a tent on my shoulder and there will also be many opportunities to meet the volunteers who in recent years have lived with us in the Family Home and have taken care of the boys and girls we welcome. I hope to succeed and achieve the goal we set ourselves at the beginning of this long journey: to guarantee meals for the girls we welcome and for the local operators who dedicate themselves to their heart and soul every day. I also hope to meet other kind and supportive strangers who want to discover and change things. One step at a time, or rather one ride at a time, you can go very far, together!».
We leave you with this beautiful video story of the Italian stages traveled by Francesco. Good vision!