Travel · The Sanctuary
Faith Brought
Him Here.
A chance ride from Prague, a full Moon under twenty-five friends, and the guest who left telling me I was right about Salento all along.
Stranded in Prague, not knowing where to go, and seeing a flight going from Vienna to Salerno for 20 euros. Why the hell not? I once again followed my intuition, and it seems to be right…
How do I get to Vienna, I think? Bus, train… Ugh, I don't know. I checked this app called BlaBlaCar. I haven't used it a lot, but it was still downloaded on my phone. And I was in luck, there was actually someone going to Vienna, at exactly the right time for me. We texted, we agreed on a meetup point and he told me he could drop me off right at the airport, absolutely perfect. Little did I know, it was about to become even more perfect.
Moritz, along the Salento coast
His name is Moritz, he is a few years older than me and drives one of those oldskool BMW's. He loves that car. Right away we could get along well, but the connection deepened once we started talking about consciousness and the possibility of us living in a simulation. I don't know if you guys know this about me, but I am a very philosophical person and I am open to all theories. I won't easily shut anybody out because they have a different belief. I am open to all, and I love these deep conversations in which you are truly curious about someone else's beliefs.
So there we were, on some random Saturday, on our way from Prague to Vienna. At first it wasn't even sure that we'd get to the airport in time — it was the simulation, apparently, which closed the road, so we had to go the other way. Moritz told me he was going to visit one of the biggest rock festivals in Europe, with his grandfather! I was tempted to go with him, but I felt I had to go to Salerno (and then on my way to Palinuro). We talked more and more, and Moritz felt safe enough to share some of his life stories. I told him about my past as well, and my experience as a therapist working in psychiatry. When I told him I now have this beautiful space and project in Italy, he was intrigued. I told him about my love for Salento, and how life is just so peaceful there… Everything is better in Salento. He couldn't truly believe me though… But I'm writing this on August 5th, on the day that I dropped Moritz off at the Brindisi airport in Salento, because he actually came to visit me! And he told me I was right, life is better in Salento…
We were in the car driving from Prague to Vienna airport, and the connection was so good, I gave him my card and we swapped phone numbers. We kept in touch, and I told him he was welcome to actually come and experience my space and the rich culture here. Not long after that, he booked his flight. Then one day, I was swimming with a friend at Marina di Novaglie. We talked about the next full Moon and that it had been a while since I organized a gathering at Il Sentiero. So what do you think I did? I picked the day that Moritz arrived, Wednesday July 29th in 2026. I would give him an extremely warm welcome to Salento, by inviting my dear friends to come join us for the full Moon. I love organizing these evenings; bringing people together, creating a space full of joy and consciousness. Absolutely wonderful. So I created an invitation, invited my friends, told Moritz and prepared the space. Everybody brought something, and it was wonderful. Moritz arrived and bathed in the warmth of 25 people who came to enjoy connections with likeminded people. We drink wine, had food, made a fire, grilled meat, and danced. Maybe it looks like any other evening, but things are different when a space is opened with the intention of conscious connection.
Some people knew each other, others ran into friends they hadn't seen for years. A lot of people didn't know each other, and new connections were made. We are all people wanting to create a better world, and it shows. In the next days, Moritz explored some places by himself and sometimes we went out together. When I can, I take people with me to explore the true authentic Puglian culture. We had a great time, we even went to discover a cave from the sea — Grotta del Laghetto — thanks to my dear friend with his boat. The perfect combination of extremely enjoying ourselves and a hinge of spiritual growth. Always looking at the nature of Salento in a magical way, being open to the magic of life, while being grounded and present. That's the key to me.
Me, Valentina, and Moritz, after a day on the boat from Santa Maria di Leuca
Today I brought Moritz to the airport. He told me he needs time to process everything he experienced here, but that it was absolutely wonderful. He is so grateful and thanked me a million times. He said he arrived with tension, and he feels so relaxed now. That's the Salento & Il Sentiero magic combined, I said. When we arrived at the airport, he said; now we are even. I brought you to the airport, now you brought me. Lol.
Thank you so much Moritz, it was wonderful to host you.
Before he left, he wrote something in the Il Sentiero guestbook.
"Dear Nikita, I'm very grateful that the simulation ensured our paths crossed. I know now what you meant when you said life is better in Salento. :) Thanks for the invitation, the hospitality, and all the experiences and memories. Keep doing what you are doing, cause you're doing it well. Thanks for everything. — Moritz. PS: Pulpo sandwich with a latte macchiato is the best dish ever!"
From the Il Sentiero guestbook · August 5th, 2026