Arriving in Piemonte Italy Before Hiking

 Julian, above, studies electrical engineering at the University of Turin.
He kept us company while waiting for the bus from Ceva up into the mountains.
We got off the bus in Ormea, below, where they had prepared the main street with garlands of boxwood for a religious celebration that night.

 Breakfast above at the Hotel Ormea.  The owner offered to drive us to the start of the trail, below.