Oct 23 - Merano, Italy

Left the youth hostel after writing. Even when the sun was shining the air had a discomforting wintry chill to it. At high noon, exhaled air turns white. Cycled through the tempting, luscious fields of apples, grapes and pears. Bought a postcard and had some grapes in Ora, Italy. [Ora is my mother's first name] Arrived in Bolzano at noon. On to Merano, arriving at 2:30 pm.

Walked through the downtown area. Set up my tent in an apple orchard west of town. As I write with gloved hands the sun still dominates the cloudless sky. If it clouded up it could snow, but the sky has been cloudless and blue since leaving Austria. I haven't had a shower or washed my hair since Vienna. I hope I get into a home in Switzerland.

Mileage: Trento to Merano 83 km