My thoughts are with Italian Earthquake victims and communities

[BobM]

Guidebooks for the VF and VFsouth often mention that a cathedral or some other landmark building has been destroyed and rebuilt several times following earthquakes.

But it takes the horrible reality of the present earthquakes at Amatrice and nearby towns to drive home the horror of what that really means.

I can only hope that the people affected find strength to carry on, to mourn their dead and injured , and eventually, when the time is right and sadness has lost its present raw edge, to rebuild their beautiful towns.

I also hope that pilgrims who may have been in the general area affected have emerged unscathed.

My thought are with you all.

Bob M

 

[KinkyOne]

Guidebooks for the VF and VFsouth often mention that a cathedral or some other landmark building has been destroyed and rebuilt several times following earthquakes.

But it takes the horrible reality of the present earthquakes at Amatrice and nearby towns to drive home the horror of what that really means.

I can only hope that the people affected find strength to carry on, to mourn their dead and injured , and eventually, when the time is right and sadness has lost its present raw edge, to rebuild their beautiful towns.

I also hope that pilgrims who may have been in the general area affected have emerged unscathed.

My thought are with you all.

Bob M

Hi, Bob,

I can only second your wishes and intentions. We could start independent money channel (I think that could be a real trouble for Ivar...), but if my small country has open donating telephone number already for 20 hours ago I think there are enough from all over the EU already.

Sending good wishes is all we can do at the moment I guess...

 

[BobM]

We can do something practical. If any of us on this forum were thinking of walking the Camino or some other non-Italian pilgrimage route, why not change plans and walk part of the VF in Italy, or one of the other hiking routes that pass through the earthquake- affected area? We would be helping accommodation providers, bar owners, shops to recover from the tragedy. There might also be other opportunities to help out in a practical way.

But perhaps more importantly, we would be showing local people by our presence and personal sympathy that we cared enough about them to make the journey on foot to be among them.

Bob M

 

[SYates]

We can do something practical. If any of us on this forum were thinking of walking the Camino or some other non-Italian pilgrimage route, why not change plans and walk part of the VF in Italy, or one of the other hiking routes that pass through the earthquake- affected area? We would be helping accommodation providers, bar owners, shops to recover from the tragedy. There might also be other opportunities to help out in a practical way.

But perhaps more importantly, we would be showing local people by our presence and personal sympathy that we cared enough about them to make the journey on foot to be among them.

Bob M

I think that is a good idea - in a few years time. At the moment the people in the most affected areas are far too busy to search for survivors, bury their dead etc. I don't think they would appreciate pilgrims turning up looking for accommodation (destroyed hotels) and food/drink (destroyed bars/restaurants/waterlines). Also well meaning volunteers, without the right training, are usually of little help in destroyed areas. But I agree, in the future, pilgrims could be of help. Buen Camino, SY

 

[Harington]

I think that is a good idea - in a few years time. At the moment the people in the most affected areas are far too busy to search for survivors, bury their dead etc. I don't think they would appreciate pilgrims turning up looking for accommodation (destroyed hotels) and food/drink (destroyed bars/restaurants/waterlines). Also well meaning volunteers, without the right training, are usually of little help in destroyed areas. But I agree, in the future, pilgrims could be of help. Buen Camino, SY

I do agree - don't go yet. It is too soon, at least for a year, I'd say.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

My hope is that they will rebuilt the villages.
There was a earthquake in the area 7 years ago and the villages that where hit at the time, they are still in ruins.
Wish you all well, Peter.