Earlier this year I was travelling alone in Europe when I randomly ran into a woman in Cinque Terre whom I’d met briefly at a travel writers’ conference in New York. Masha from An Unlikely Pilgrim is spending a year doing pilgrimages around the world, and when we caught up for wine she was part way into a three month walk along the Via Francigena, from Canterbury all the way to Rome. (Yes, she’s seriously badass.)

We were a few glasses into a bottle of wine when she said, “Hey, why don’t you come walk with me for a few days?”

It seemed like a crazy idea to head into the wilderness with an almost-stranger, especially given that I had no hiking gear with me and nowhere to store my rolling suitcase. But it was odd—serendipitous, even—because during the months prior to meeting up with her, I had this peculiar idea in the back of my mind that I’d end up doing a long walk somewhere in Europe. Every day in Paris, I hiked to the top of Sacré-Cœur to get fit. In Spain I walked everywhere instead of taking public transport. My muscles were growing strong, but what for? I didn’t know.

And then Masha arrived into my life just as my calendar cleared and I was questioning what to do with my last three weeks in Europe.

So of course I said “Yes” to two days hiking with Masha.

I packed a small backpack, left everything else at the Milan train station, and set off into the Italian countryside with her.

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Walking in Italy

Two days became three.

Three days became five.

I wanted to hike and hike and not stop, but on the fifth day I became crippled with tendonitis due to walking for five days in flimsy street shoes.

We stopped in a stunning town called Piacenza and I spent five days resting. Masha fetched me food and frozen peas, and stalled her pilgrimage to look after me. I bought sturdy shoes and a bunch of hiking gear, and I put all of my energy into getting better. But the foot was not healing as fast as I wanted it to. Masha was on a deadline to get to Rome and she had to move on.

I didn’t want to leave. I didn’t want to stop walking. So I bought a bike and rolled alongside her…

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Three days later my foot was okay to walk on, and I abandoned the bike at the bottom of a steep hill in Tuscany. We went on for another ten days.

Two days with a stranger became three weeks with a soul mate.

Masha and Torre DeRoche

There are a lot more stories in that journey which I don’t have time to tell you now, but I have some exciting news…

I’ve joined her again for another pilgrimage, but this time in India!

We’re going to follow in the footsteps of Gandhi on his Salt March—a non violent protest he carried out with 78 others in 1930. We set out tomorrow from Ahmedabad for twenty five days of walking, beginning from Gandhi’s ashram, and we’re both so terrified and so excited that I can’t even begin to explain the roller coaster of emotions we’re currently riding on. We really have no idea what to expect, but this is India after all.

On our first day outside of the hotel to the Taj Mahal, we were ripped off, leered at, pushed and shoved and kissed and pinched, and a ten year old boy caressed me on the bottom with both his hands. We saw monkeys making love, an elephant carrying cargo on a highway, painted livestock, a guy getting beaten on the side of the freeway, and several instances of non-ironic bellbottom business slacks paired with connoisseur moustaches.

Our rickshaw almost crashed when a hatchback swooped across thick traffic to make a cheeky turn, I was hit in the leg by a car pulling out of a parking spot, and our taxi driver started nodding off at 120km an hour when we still had three hours of driving ahead. At the end of the day, our nails and noses were encrusted with black and my lungs feel like they’ve been chain smoking. Beauty and filth, exhilaration and horror, all in the course of a day. It was thrilling.

I have no idea what the next twenty five days of walking are going to be like, but I know it won’t be boring. It’s surely going to be an adventure of a lifetime.

I may not be blogging here, but I will be posting on Instagram and Facebook, so stay tuned for updates!

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71 Response Comments

  • janice stringer  November 26, 2014 at 5:38 pm

    What a wonderful experience. I look forward to seeing the photos!

    Reply
    • Jaspreet Singh  August 25, 2016 at 10:53 am

      This girl sounds very courageous

      Reply
  • Ashley  November 26, 2014 at 5:47 pm

    What an awesome adventure in Italy! And I’m sure your time in India will be absolutely unforgettable. It’s crazy adventures like these that open your eyes and make you feel whole and alive. I can’t wait to read more about your time in India. Have fun!

    Reply
  • Magda  November 26, 2014 at 6:04 pm

    I’ve done a few pilgrimages before, all who have impacted my life greatly (in a positive way). Good luck!

    Reply
  • Sarah Somewhere  November 26, 2014 at 6:06 pm

    Oh wow. I am so freaking excited for you girls (and a tad jealous). I researched a little about the salt march before the rickshaw run, as we were going to pass through some of the places, but India happened and I couldn’t do anything except hang on for dear life. I have loved following your adventures via Masha, and wish you both the most amazing adventure.

    Reply
  • Tahira  November 26, 2014 at 9:08 pm

    I’m new to your bog (and your book – just downloaded it onto my Kindle) and the little I have read so far, of the blog, is already starting to spark up the “girl crush” compartment! I love the ‘come what may…’ philosophy on life, and I look forward to following along and seeing what India has in store for you girls! Cheers to both of you!

    Reply
  • Katie  November 27, 2014 at 12:01 am

    How exciting and terrifying! You will definitely have some stories to tell after this trip 🙂

    Reply
  • Tracy  November 27, 2014 at 2:52 am

    Hello? YOU are seriously a badass. All the best in India to the 2 of you badass mofo’s. x

    Reply
  • Toni - Reclaiming Your Future  November 27, 2014 at 8:14 am

    I literally have no other word for this Torre but ‘wow’!!!! I can’t wait to read all about it when you’re able to tell us 🙂

    Reply
  • Emily  November 27, 2014 at 8:55 pm

    I love your description of your sole day in India – it is a perfect description of EVERYTHING that goes on, from the beautiful to the chaotic to the intense. Best of luck!

    Reply
  • Anne  November 28, 2014 at 12:39 am

    What an incredible story! I love your determination and attitude in Italy to keep going.

    Reply
  • Charlie  November 29, 2014 at 7:39 pm

    Wow, that’s an incredible experience. It’s amazing where life can take you when you just go with the flow of things. I can’t imagine walking that far in India, that’s definitely going to be a trip full of stories!

    Reply
  • Carina  December 1, 2014 at 3:30 pm

    I’ve read your book, and i love your disregard for your fears and your courage to take such leaps of faiths 🙂
    You’re such an inspiration.
    I hope you have a wonderful journey!

    X, Carina
    Running White Horses

    Reply
  • Alana - Paper Planes  December 1, 2014 at 9:46 pm

    This is incredible – have a wonderful time! (And I loved your description of your first day in India…sounds about right)

    Reply
  • Mrs. GoodLife  December 18, 2014 at 7:18 am

    Hi Torre,
    I have been reading your blog for a while now, but never left a comment. Just wanted to say that I love your writing- it’s engaging and funny and the suspense you weave in each post keeps me coming back again and again.

    Reply
  • Fine Stay Slovenia  December 21, 2014 at 9:51 am

    What an incredible adventure and lovely photo collection to match.

    Reply
  • Patricia Sands  December 23, 2014 at 10:42 pm

    I’m loving the choices you are making, Torre! If there really is reincarnation, I want to come back and be like you! Check it out while you are in India, please. Happy trails and keep us all posted.

    Reply
  • Rana Singh  December 30, 2014 at 9:33 am

    Amazing article and great pics. Loved it .
    Thanx for sharing and Happy New Year.

    Reply
  • Erin  January 6, 2015 at 6:07 pm

    Wow! What a wonderful way to make a new friend. I look forward to following your journey.

    Reply
  • Paige Sferrazza  January 26, 2015 at 3:23 pm

    Hey! I’m a big fan of your blog – you’ve inspired me to travel more and see the world! Although I’m still in college, I’ve started a travel-based blog of my own and I was wondering if you could possibly read this post and provide me with some feedback? Thanks so much! https://paigesferrazza.wordpress.com/2015/01/18/that-challenge-question/

    Reply
  • Carmel  January 28, 2015 at 2:21 pm

    How lovely that you trusted your instincts to gain a new friend. We too often ignore signs towards the next step and end up missing out. I’ll be looking forward to the photos on instagram!

    Reply
  • Octavia  January 28, 2015 at 7:34 pm

    I think this is wonderful! This is what i want to do when I get older. I am going to explore the amazing world we live in. There is so much to be seen and so much wisdom to gain! Hope your foot is doing even better than is was and I hope you have and amazing time in India!

    Reply
  • Sofia  January 29, 2015 at 1:46 am

    That’s an incredible story; meeting your friend/soul mate on the road, sharing an amazing adventure together from Europe to India. I’m looking forward to more great stories and photos, of course! Have a safe trip!

    Reply
  • Vanshika Dutta  February 2, 2015 at 5:37 am

    “Hi Torre,
    Am really sorry about the things you had to endure on this trip of yours to India. We have numerous other places that you would love and it is pretty peaceful as well as stunning. Why don’t you try places like Drass which is a serene valley or Magnetic Hill located near Leh! They are stunning yet very different as they are pretty unique, hope you get time to visit them! Have a safe journey!”

    Reply
  • Michelle @ The Restless Reporter  February 4, 2015 at 2:06 pm

    I really want to read more about your travels, I love changing your mind and route on the road!

    Reply
  • Penelope  February 7, 2015 at 4:40 am

    A most unexpected adventure … hope you enjoyed as much as I think you did!

    Reply
  • All Graduates | Brochure Translation Service  February 9, 2015 at 5:58 am

    What a truly wonderful experience! The best trips are often the ones that are not planned. You get to experience every single thing without worrying about what was forgotten or anything like that. Great photos, too. Looking forward to the next travel story!

    Reply
  • Elesha  February 13, 2015 at 9:41 pm

    Hi Torre! I have just finished reading Love with a Chance of Drowning. I’m currently backpacking solo around Central America and brought the book to keep me company on any solo restuarant trips (in the absence of any hot European backpackers 😉 I absolutely loved the book! I almost shed a tear into my scrambled eggs and Gallo pinto the this morning when I read the part where you left Amazing Grace and Ivan. Thank you for sharing your fabulous journey with the world! Elesha

    Reply
  • Christian P  February 27, 2015 at 8:17 am

    Your adventure in Italy and India are indeed very inspiring for newbie adventurist like me. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience Torre.

    Reply
  • kristin | W [H] A T C H  February 28, 2015 at 2:08 pm

    oh my goodness, i can’t wait to hear about your walk in india. best wishes for an extraordinary journey.

    Reply
  • Jane M  March 2, 2015 at 8:43 pm

    Such a great illustration of how saying “yes” can lead you to the most unexpected places. I’m looking forward to hearing more about India.

    Reply
  • Crystal | The Poor Explorer  March 24, 2015 at 12:08 pm

    I just met your blog today. And you are AWESOME! Keep it up cause I’ll be following along. India is insane. It changes you in ways you won’t realise until you’re back in a comfortable place with a steamy cup of coffee… Enjoy!

    Reply
  • Darshik Mehta  April 16, 2015 at 5:56 am

    Torree!!!
    That’s toooo much adventure amidst the many up’s and down’s during your travel, but I envy you… most of these pictures (almost everything) are either bathed in sunlight or have the rays bestowing nature’s wishes from the right- hand corner. Your spontaneity with words and the expression conveyed through them is so fantastic that got me dreaming: – about you walking endlessly through wine fields and hiking hills with wind blowing in your hair! (loved the bike!)

    Reply
  • Hannah @GettingStamped  June 6, 2015 at 3:07 am

    What an amusing way to go out of your comfort zones! Sounds terrifying but definitely so brave of you! 🙂

    Reply
  • Ronny  June 29, 2015 at 3:54 pm

    Hope the India pilgrimage went well!

    Reply
  • Jhon Lingkon  July 12, 2015 at 7:58 pm

    Those photos were great, seems like you hade passed great time

    Reply
  • Don  July 13, 2015 at 2:37 am

    Europe is the best! We’ve been there two years ago and it was a blast! We started with Eastern Europe, traveling with TravelAllRussia then went to Western Europe. I look at the photos every now and then, best summer!

    Reply
  • Erika (Erika's Travels)  July 16, 2015 at 7:16 pm

    What a great story! That’s what I love about travel…it never ends up like you thought it would, but there are always great stories to tell and great friends to be made.

    Reply
  • Siddharth Kaushik  July 23, 2015 at 5:05 am

    Dear Torre DeRoche,
    We often assume that pilgrimages are boring but your blog shows how life changing these trips can be. We not only get to learn about a new culture and religion when we go on pilgrimages but also learn to respect them. I loved the way you have written this blog.

    Reply
  • mark gariega  July 27, 2015 at 10:17 am

    wow nice

    Reply
  • Lisa  September 25, 2015 at 10:39 am

    I enjoy reading your post! The photos looks so nice and gorgeous! Guess you having fun time there! What a great experience you had. Thanks for sharing your great experience and nice photo with us here

    Reply
  • KandC  December 13, 2015 at 4:15 am

    The pictures are truly phenomenal. Thank you so much for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  • Traveler  December 26, 2015 at 5:06 pm

    beautiful photos.)

    Reply
  • Maxine  January 12, 2016 at 11:45 pm

    Amazing and heartwarming read. It is in our travels that we find our true selves and realize that there is more to life than what we know about. Looking forward to more of your stories.

    Reply
  • Vedic Walks, India  March 4, 2016 at 5:48 am

    Hello Torre! We can’t thank you enough especially because after your ‘Salt walk’ with us in India, we have been receiving hundreds of questions from wanderers from different parts of the world about this quest! We had another group of 5 spiritual enthusiasts from Spain who took our Salt walk in Gujrat! Thank you for the opportunity – Team VedicWalks, India

    Reply
  • Jhon jaka  August 3, 2016 at 7:25 am

    Nice trip

    Reply
  • NFL Snapback Hats  November 16, 2016 at 2:13 am

    It’s crazy adventures like these that open your eyes and make you feel whole and alive.

    Reply
  • Agness of aTukTuk  August 7, 2017 at 11:00 am

    You definitely had a blast! Would you recommend Piacenza as a good place to explore?

    Reply
  • vickie sheldon  February 6, 2018 at 4:04 pm

    Loved your book “Love with a chance of Drowning.” Couldn’t put it down until I read the end. Want to see pics of the boat & the stud & the scenery.

    Reply
  • Visiit  October 22, 2018 at 12:22 pm

    Thank you so mauch for sharing your journey with us. I am waiting for next one.

    Reply
  • Jyoti Day Tours  February 16, 2019 at 10:22 am

    I agree with you . This blog is so beautiful and fantastic imagination and picture . Thanking you . I appreciated for you helpful advice for you . Great Post keep sharing more such Posts .

    Reply
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  • Golden Triangle Tour 5 Days 4 Nights , Delhi Agra Jaipur Tour 5 Day  May 7, 2019 at 6:59 am

    I’ve done a few pilgrimages before, all who have impacted my life greatly (in a positive way). Good luck!

    Reply
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  • Ladakh Tour Package  July 4, 2019 at 11:15 am

    Finding a partner while travelling to a destination is something exceptional. I loved your experience and enjoyed your blog throughout. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful.

    Reply
  • Marie Leon  August 15, 2019 at 3:15 pm

    Great things can happen when you say yes. I enjoyed reading your post. From the beginning, I was right there with you. The colors of the Italian countryside… Beautiful. Getting injured on a trip is horrible but you kept going on a bike. It couldn’t have been easy for you. Kudos!!! Looking forward to reading more of your posts. Thanks for sharing. 🙂

    Reply
  • Ryan  August 13, 2020 at 8:18 pm

    What a fun adventure! I was in Milan in 2010 and hopped on a train sporadically to Cinque Terre, but alas, the trail was closed for maintenance. Always wanted to go back but haven’t carved out the time. I bet India was a blast too!

    Reply
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    I think your bite is from a leech! It makes sense that you had to peel it off!

    Reply
  • Ras Bahadur Rai  July 10, 2023 at 6:24 am

    This travel article truly transported me to another world! The vivid descriptions and engaging storytelling made me feel like I was right there, experiencing the adventure firsthand. I appreciate how the author shared personal insights and tips, making it not only informative but also inspiring. Can’t wait to plan my own journey!

    Reply
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    Ausflug Hurghada Kairo
    Ein Ausflug von Hurghada nach Kairo ist eine faszinierende Möglichkeit, einige der beeindruckendsten historischen und kulturellen Sehenswürdigkeiten Ägyptens zu erkunden. Hier ist ein möglicher Ablauf für einen Tagesausflug von Hurghada nach Kairo:

    Hin- und Rückreise:
    Frühmorgens Abfahrt: Die Tour beginnt frühmorgens, oft gegen 5-6 Uhr morgens, um die lange Fahrt von Hurghada nach Kairo zu nutzen. Die Fahrtzeit beträgt normalerweise etwa 5-6 Stunden mit dem Bus oder Van.
    Besichtigung in Kairo:
    Gizeh-Pyramiden: Ankunft in Kairo und Besuch der Gizeh-Pyramiden, einer der sieben Weltwunder und das bekannteste Wahrzeichen Ägyptens. Hier können Sie die großen Pyramiden von Khufu, Khafre und Menkaure bewundern und die Gelegenheit haben, eine Pyramide von innen zu erkunden (falls dies im Ausflugspaket enthalten ist).

    Sphinx: Besichtigung der Großen Sphinx von Gizeh, einer majestätischen Statue mit einem Löwenkörper und einem Menschenkopf, die vor den Pyramiden steht.

    Ägyptisches Museum: Besuch des Ägyptischen Museums in Kairo, das eine der umfangreichsten Sammlungen antiker ägyptischer Kunstwerke der Welt beherbergt. Hier können Sie die beeindruckenden Schätze, darunter die Artefakte des berühmten Tutanchamun, bewundern.

    Freizeit und Mittagessen: Nach den Besichtigungen haben Sie normalerweise etwas freie Zeit für Mittagessen und persönliche Erkundungen in Kairo. Ihr Reiseleiter kann Empfehlungen für Restaurants oder Orte zum Einkaufen geben.

    Optionale Besichtigungen: Je nach Zeitplan und Interesse können Sie zusätzliche Orte wie die Zitadelle von Saladin, den Khan El Khalili Basar oder das Koptische Viertel besuchen.

    Rückkehr nach Hurghada:
    Rückfahrt nach Hurghada: Nach einem ereignisreichen Tag in Kairo treten Sie am späten Nachmittag oder Abend die Rückfahrt nach Hurghada an.
    Hinweise:
    Es ist ratsam, diese Tour mit einem etablierten Reiseveranstalter zu buchen, der komfortable Transportmittel, erfahrene Reiseleiter und alle erforderlichen Eintrittsgelder und Genehmigungen bereitstellt.
    Denken Sie daran, bequeme Kleidung und Schuhe sowie Sonnenschutz mitzubringen, da Sie viel Zeit im Freien verbringen werden.
    Die Tour kann anstrengend sein, da Sie früh aufstehen und lange Stunden unterwegs sein werden, aber die Möglichkeit, die faszinierenden Höhepunkte Kairos zu erleben, macht dies zu einem unvergesslichen Erlebnis.
    Ein Ausflug von Hurghada nach Kairo ist eine fantastische Gelegenheit, die antiken Wunder Ägyptens zu entdecken und ein tieferes Verständnis für die reiche Geschichte dieses faszinierenden Landes zu gewinnen.

    Reply
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    Reply

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