Dear followers of Appia Hic et Nunc,
On the 24th of April, the first day of our journey, we had envisioned to start of our walk from the Roman forum at the Milliarium Aureum, the milestone from which all Roman roads started. This was made possible by a kind concession of the director of the Archaeological Parc of the Colosseum Dott.ssa Alfonsina Russo who had sent us nine free entrance tickets to enter the Roman forum.
Our planning was to start walking around 09.00 hrs, waved off by friends from the Association Mos Maiorum from Rome. On this first day we were accompanied by my friend and Dutch Archaeologist Tom Hazenberg who had come over especially for the occasion to accompany us during the first three days.
When we were still in the taxi that took us, completely dressed up as Romans, towards the Colosseum I received a surprise telephone call from a film crew of the national television channel Rai 3, “Mr. Schmits we are in position where are you?”
This telephone call was a huge surprise, I had written several emails to Rai 3 advertising our walk, but I had never received an answer to let me know that they were going to be present. I had prepared nothing for an interview and had to do it impromptu. Seeing and listing to myself I am not too happy with the results, but it had to do.
The filming session was pleasant, the Rai crew from channel 3 took all the time to make some nice shots. After the filming we started walking much later than we had anticipated and I was already worried that we would arrive in Albano Laziale quite late since we had another obligatory stop at the Circus of Maxentius where there was a big event with many Roman reenactor groups to celebrate the birthday of Rome which is each year on the 21st of April.
After greeting common friends at the Circus, we finally were on our way, the weather was excellent and we were all happy and excited to finally making miles towards Brindisi.
Unfortunately, when we had arrived at the 6th Roman mile around15.20 hrs of that day disaster struck!
The van that we had rented to follow us to transport our gear was broken into and lots of our goods had been stolen. Laptop computers, photo cameras, go-pro cameras, my spectacles, passport and contact lenses, Roman re-enactment clothing and accessories, contemporary clothing in suitcases and back packs all gone.
We had to abandon our first day’s walk and with the whole team we drove back in our plundered van to Rome to make a declaration to the Police, clean out the broken glass in the van etc. We had lost a lot of time and money but after a short meeting with the team we decided not to abandon our project and to push on.
We used the late afternoon of the 24th of April to buy new spectacles and new contact lenses for myself and clothes and toiletry for the other members. Since we are Romans we did not despair, I brought the team to the hotel that I booked for our first night at Albano Laziale and after checking in around 20.30 hours I directed the van with the broken window directly to a good Roman restaurant that I knew in Genzano di Roma only to find that it was closed. No worry, lots of good restaurants here and we ended up at a Sardinian restaurant, not what we’re looking for, but beggars cannot be choosers. The food was good and the people friendly. After this nice dinner and the eventful day we were pretty tired and happy to get some sleep.
