One of my first stops into my solo trip to Sicily was Taormina. I was going to see my good friend Giovanni and old Italian teacher in Catania later so I wanted to see some other lovely places before. I was there for a few days, staring endlessly at the breathtaking views, and strolling through the town’s busy streets full with Gelato shops. There, I had one of the best Gelatos of my life, Pistacchio di Bronte.
Leaving Taormina after a few days of mesmerizing scenery, surrounded by the charm of the Sicilian mountains 🏔 was bittersweet. But it was time to head to Siracusa, and I thought it could not be too complicated. After some evaluation, a train seemed like a straightforward option, and I considered myself a pretty savvy traveler.
It was June, the heat was in full swing, and I was carrying a small, hand luggage that I assumed was practical for this solo trip.
Lesson 1: Trust Your Common Sense
I consulted my GPS, and it suggested a half-hour walk to the train station—piece of cake, right? My common sense, however, seemed to be on vacation as well. I was high up in the hills, a place where even birds might think twice about flying, yet I blindly got foot on the path, not stopping to consider how a train station could possibly be located this high up. Spoiler alert: It wasn’t.
As I began descending, the paved street quickly turned into a sandy path. And then, no path at all. A local construction worker saw me—tourist written all over my face, suitcase in hand—and he pitied me enough to point in the right direction. Around some bushes, the “path” continued, but not for long.
Lesson 2: The Path Isn’t Always Clear
What started as sand soon morphed into stones, and the so-called path became increasingly treacherous. I was sweating under the scorching sun, dragging my suitcase, which had gone from “practical” to a burden. I could no longer trust my phone’s reception or the GPS, which now seemed to be guiding me toward nothingness. I texted my partner to send my location in case that would become my last known location later on. You know, “just in case”. Unsurprisingly, my phone lost signal soon enough.
At one point, the path forked, and the only clue I had was a faded arrow on an old piece of wood. With no other clear direction, I decided to trust the universe and follow the arrow.
Lesson 3: Keep Moving Forward, Even When the Path is Rough
It quickly became a steep descent, and rolling the suitcase became almost impossible. Sweat dripped down my face, and I seriously considered abandoning the bag. Maybe I’d come back for it later, I thought. My fitness level was challenging me and I promised myself to resume my trainings as soon as I got back. Lucky me, my hosts gave me an apple, a cornetto, and a coffee before I left, and that provided me energy to move through the bushes.
Lesson 4: Embrace the Situation and Find the Beauty in It
At some point, I accepted my situation. I was lost in the middle of nowhere, carrying a bag I couldn’t easily drag along, sweating profusely, with no way to contact anyone. But then, I paused for a moment and looked up—what a stunning view. The Sicilian coast stretched out in front of me, the sun shone above me, and I allowed myself a moment to breathe it all in.
Sometimes, when I am in the thick of things, it’s easy to forget that even in challenging moments, there’s beauty all around. This realization even helped gain some cognitive clarity: as long as I was heading downward, I would eventually reach the coast.
Lesson 5: Trust in the Journey
Though it took me twice as long as I had originally planned, I eventually made it down (even with a suitcase, with my stick-thin arms). The sense of accomplishment made the entire detour worthwhile. Yes, it was unnerving to be stuck up there, but I learned to trust in the journey, even when the map doesn’t make sense.
Conclusion: Traveling Alone in the Unknown
Getting lost in Taormina’s hills was an experience I wouldn’t trade. It was hot, exhausting, and frustrating, but it taught me valuable lessons about travel, resilience, and trusting my instincts. Whether you’re traveling alone or navigating life’s unexpected turns, remember that it’s not always about reaching the destination quickly—it’s about embracing the detours and finding beauty in the journey.
