In a little more than a week, I'll be flying to Sardinia, Italy, to hike.
Yes, I'm excited. Our original plan was to hike in Jordan. Yes, the Middle East country Jordan, just east of Israel. The Middle East country in-between Iraq and Israel and only a hop away from Iran, the country we are partly? at war with? Does anyone know the status of entanglement with Iran?
In February 2026, the US and Israel targeted Ayatollah Khomeini, and military and nuclear structures, killing the leader and crippling Iranian infrastructure.
It seems to be at a stalemate or a war of attrition, but we are still officially at war. The organizer of our trip to Jordan hoped for quick resolution, so we could get on with our purpose, which was not just hiking.
We were supposed to spend several days alongside the Wadi Musa Orphanage Centre and supporting families in a nearby under-served village, a community that Trekking for Kids, our hiking organization, had partnered with in 2014. We were going to return to help create healthier living spaces for single mothers and for orphaned young children cared for by older siblings.
But the proximity to war, and to an unsettled region, eventually required our Jordan trip cancellation. And so the people of Jordan, of Israel, of Iraq and Iran continue to suffer.
Sardinia!! was a doable second choice with little time to plan. Tricia (our organizer) chose Sardinia because it's a safe place. After the contemplation of risk over Jordan, after the controversy from hikers, Sardinia was a relief.
And then, my mom asks, "Is Italy safe? They've been having earthquakes everyday."
Oh dear. A quick search confirms that Italy is indeed doing the hula dance. The country sits top of two tectonic plates pushing against one another. But no need to worry, Italy has thousands of earthquakes a year.
But we aren't going to Italy. We are going to its island. And the island is one of the most geologically stable and lowest seismic-risk regions in Italy!
Fantastic news. But then I wonder, how safe is Sardinia?
Another piece of good news. The most dangerous part is the Costa Smeralda region and tourists are warned to stay away, only because it is so expensive, it will ruin a traveler's budget.
If that's its greatest danger, Italy, here we come!
Comments