The Foreign Service Journal, July-August 2003

copses of huge stout beeches. Sundown was near when he reached the high point, the Cima di Vallevona, eighteen hundred meters above the sea. He gathered wood, and made a fire below the ridge and out of the wind. His dinner was simple, and not long after dark he was asleep on the mountain. The second day he started out at dawn. As he had expected, there was no water along his way, and he took a two-hour detour to walk down to the village of Cappadocia for two liters of San Pellegrino. That evening he reached his intended goal, the high round top of Monte Cotento, and camped there. The weath- er was holding; the stars were brilliant. It was a good omen for his future. But what future? The next day he reached the summit of Monte Viglio, 2,156 meters, in early afternoon, after clamber- ing gingerly across the steep pitch called the Gendarme. He had done it! Now for Filettino ... Another hiker was coming up, someone in a red wind- breaker climbing fast. A woman with blonde hair. Lang sat down and waited. She said, “I thought I’d do Viglio now, since I can’t be sure when I’ll get back to Italy.” “I’m leaving. You don’t need to.” “We’re leaving together. Basta, per ora. You can marry me at the National Cathedral. They have an hour open next month.” And that settled that. ■ F O C U S J U LY- A U G U S T 2 0 0 3 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 35 He took a two-hour detour to walk down to the village of Cappadocia for two liters of San Pellegrino. Studio suite for 2 people, plus rental car for federal government per diem Apartment-style suites with fully equipped kitchens Honor Federal Government per diem 365 days a year Pets accepted with $100 fee Complimentary daily hot buffet breakfast and evening meal Monday through Thursday with beer, wine & soft drinks. Complimentary Shuttle to Van Dorn Metro Free parking for one car Adjacent to Landmark Mall and support services Convenient to: Ronald Reagan Airport 8 miles Pentagon 5 miles NFATC 5 miles Washington, D.C. 8 miles Old Town Alexandria 5 miles Reservations (703) 370-1000 www.Hawthorn.com Phone: (703) 370-1000 Fax: (703) 751-1467 420 North Van Dorn Street, Alexandria, VA 22304 E-mail: Alexandriasales@capitalhospitality.com Earn Hyatt Gold Passport Points at Hawthorn