9 July. The alarm rings very early, today we are going to the Principality of Monaco! After saying goodbye to the farmhouse thanking the owners for their courtesy, kindness and hospitality, and after having calculated the route (105 km), we begin the last adventure before the return by ship scheduled for the same evening at 21 pm.
We all set off in a line towards the Principality of Monaco at a cruising speed of 70/80 km/h; we pass various cities, Imperia, Sanremo, Ventimiglia (38), the cars that overtake us look at us as if we were aliens, crazy, others honk at us with respect and give us the thumbs up gesture, which makes us proud and gives us adrenaline and the desire to continue without stopping. Shortly before arriving at the border we decide to stop at a service station, to stretch our legs and have a coffee (it's a must after so many kilometers). The caravan sets off again and we arrive at the border (39): crossing the state border and stepping on the soil of another nation, moreover on board my dear Saphira, which had never even left Sicily, was something indescribable and truly exciting for me; it feels like being in a film or a documentary of the time, when people could finally move around and be free to visit new places thanks to the advent of cars for everyone and the economic boom.
We finally arrive in Monaco and the air we breathe seems different, we are fascinated by everything that surrounds us (40), from the skyscrapers to the yachts that tower over us for their size... everything is immense. After a quick tour, we manage to reach the banks of the port and, having parked our old ladies, we remain to admire so much beauty and wealth (41-42). Being able to see and touch a place like this almost leaves you speechless: since I was a child I had only seen the Principality of Monaco on television thanks to Formula 1 and I would never have imagined being able to go there, being able to walk and look with my own eyes at a place like this and above all with my 500!
We also manage to pass in front of the Casino: there, like divas, very expensive cars are parked, protected by cordons and bodyguards who ensure that no tourist can get close and touch them; but then, as we pass, attention shifts to us, everyone starts pointing at us and taking pictures of us; this encourages us to slowly pass by, to admire our ladies on wheels.
Before we get back on the road towards Genoa, we stop for lunch and to admire the landscape again. In a souvenir shop we buy the sticker of the Principality, which after two minutes is happily stuck on the hatbox of my dear Saphira... what can I say, we become happy and we are satisfied with little, us Cinquecento people!
The time has come to say goodbye to Monaco and with a bit of melancholy for the knowledge that our journey is coming to an end, we face the 183 kilometers of road (about three hours of travel) almost all in one go, except to do a bit of refueling. I was amazed by the tenacity and strength of these little cars, which are able to take you wherever you want, as long as you take care of them and trust them, because they have seen a lot in 40 years and more!
We arrive in Genoa and after a bit of research and requests for information, we manage to find the entrance to the port. After passing the security checks, we get in line to wait for the boarding time (43). These are moments of reflection, in which we think back to everything that has been experienced so intensely in just under a week, with a feeling of well-being and tranquility, like after a beautiful dream, even if it lasted too short. The time to board arrives and slowly the cars climb on board, our little ones are made to sit in a corner, comfortable and quiet, one behind the other; they also seem to look at us with a satisfied expression, even if they can't wait to go home, to rest each under their own blanket.
We climb onto the deck of the ship and watch Genoa slowly moving away, waving goodbye, but the melancholy gives way to determination. This is not a goodbye, but a see you later, because we will return!
10 July. In the afternoon we arrived at Palermo (44) and after saying goodbye, Filippo and I return to our homes, putting to rest our five-horses that gave us so many emotions during the days of our first gathering in Garlenda, which we will carry in our hearts forever.
In conclusion, I would like to dedicate a thought to the people who have left us cause of the collapse of the Morandi Bridge. I express my condolences and I think that my feeling is shared by the other Cinquecento people. Any one of us could have been there at the time of the collapse, which could have also happened during the period of the Meeting: we too passed over that bridge and the thought sends shivers down my spine. I hope that assistance is provided to those who have lost friends, relatives or their homes and that maintenance work is done on the many Italian bridges that need it, hoping that something like this never happens again.
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