Vespa World Days 2024 Travelogue
In the weeks before the Vespa World Days 2024 in Pontedera I was very undecided whether to go or not but then I said to myself, “but when will a VWD return to Pontedera?” so I made up my mind and went. And now here I am, writing my “Vespa World Days Travelogue.”
As I am used to doing, I set out alone, free of any constraints and with the ability to dictate the pace of travel and stops. The Vespa has been out of the workshop for a few days, after a total engine rebuild, frame reinforcement and rechroming of the luggage racks.I’m leaving with only 50 km of break-in, I’ll do it on my way to Pontedera and back.
The day is beautiful but it is cold, so I opt for the shortest route, Padua, Bologna, the Porretana, down to Pistoia and then arrival in Pontedera around 5 p.m. I go straight to the Village, soak in the atmosphere, Vespas everywhere, a festival of colors and people….
I park the Vespa, do my accreditation and start walking around the stands in curiosity, meeting people, others who recognize me stop me, compliment me on my travels and ask me for a picture next to the Vespa.
The next day in the early morning a very strong thunderstorm that fortunately, as if by magic, ends and gives way to a spectacular day, an ideal context for the parade. Thousands of Vespa begin to line up and prepare for departure. Next to me a couple, she from Asia, he from Sidney, we chat, joke and exchange contact information–we will see each other again in Australia. At last the serpentine begins to move, there are thousands of us, the forerunner is a policeman on a stunning Vespa GTS 300 with official Police colors. Immediately following were representatives of Vespa Clubs from around the world, each of them carrying the flag of their home nation. And then all of us, many of us, each with our own particularities, with our own stories. We make 30/35 km around Pontedera, amidst the applause of the warmly cheering public who throng along the route, seeking a handshake with the vespisti lining the side of the road.
The party continues in the afternoon, also at the Village, until late in the evening. A busy day of meeting ordinary people, friends and also great travelers.
THE GREAT TRAVELERS
TRAVELOGUE VESPA WORLD DAYS
At Vespa World Days 2024 in Pontedera the opportunity for many excellent meetings, great Vespa travelers, some friends already met several times physically and others, always known online but never met in person.
FABIO COFFERATI: A Vespista doc, one of those who really knows the Vespa well. He owns so many of all kinds, beautiful, refurbished, to be refurbished, in short, a true enthusiast. In full Covid he went from Milan to Tokyo (almost) on an old Vespa with 8-inch wheels. A great feat from which the book “Still on a Vespa from Milan to Tokyo.”.
ANDREA DEL SOLDATO – THE VESPANAUTA: He with his Vespa, without much preparation or technicalities, left Italy, heading for Bangladesh where he went to visit a local girl whom he adopted from a distance. A boy, young but already great.
SAVERIO ALTAFINI: I didn’t remember him, actually we had spoken by phone as he left a few months after me, heading east. Then I lost track of him, he’s not very “social,” but he’s really come a long way-Iran, Pakistan, India far and wide, and then Nepal.
MY MANTRA
…and the beginning of my book… purchasable here
"I value the most precious thing I possess, my time, as if every day were my last🍀"
FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO FOLLOW AND SUPPORT ME
To make a donation to the mission in Africa (you really make me a great gift, any amount – as a company you also have the tax deduction)
To purchase my book NEPAL IN VESPA (making this second trip made me realize even more the value of what I wrote)
To follow me in real time during my journey
Thank you from the bottom of my heart