Saved by the Bus

Nikos flies from Catania to Fiumicino tonight, before heading out of the Rome airport in the morning—my preferred way to prep before flying to the US. Lucky thing he didn’t book a connecting flight today, as his trip out of Catania was delayed quite a bit. This is not uncommon, so travelers beware. The last three flights (mine, Joe’s, Nikos’s) one direction or the other, have had 45 to 90-minute delays.

We left some wiggle room in case of road construction, but had to cut across the whole center of Italy from Agrigento to get to Catania. Time could still be tight.

After another lovely repast on Francesco’s breakfast terrace, we organized our things, and I went to settle the bill. Francesco and I talked for a bit, and he offered a generous discount (along with half-off parking garage tickets!). I asked for his picture, and he said, let’s all do it; I’ll grab one of the cats.

I adore this man. Soft spoken. Elegant. Not in a rush. He loves the finer things, he appreciates history, art, culture, and good food and wine; he is kind and adorable and loves his town. He remarked on Nikos’s hair, saying it’s usually not worn that way here, unless you are a rock star (air guitar, foot splayed, as he motioned the effect). He embraced us and wished us a safe trip back.

With GPS in Italy being the bane of my existence, Nikos took it over. Just then, I saw a WhatsApp message. 

I read it out loud.

“Oh;” said Joe, digging in his pocket and handing me something. “Here”.

As you can see, it’s old school. No plastic card. There’s a master key, but guests arrive this evening to use that room. They’ll need their own set of keys.

1. No time to turn back; Nikos would miss his flight

2. It’s Sunday. No locksmith open for making a new set

3. Looks like we’re driving to Catania to drop off Nikos (2 hrs total), turning around to Agrigento to drop off the keys (another 2 hrs), then turning back again to get to Biancavilla (yet another 2 hrs). 

4. Somehow this is my fault.

But, we forget—

Italy is not a country of problems, only solutions!

I almost wept. Of course, I’ll pay the bus fare, and before stopping at Ale’s, we will get a bottle of Franciacorta for him and one to accompany the keys going to Francesco. There’s no way Joe was going to endure another four hours of driving. I’d take the car, but me driving a stick shift in Italy is a frightening idea for all involved (including the car).

Joe was not happy we were detouring to the enoteca (understandably; he just wanted to be done with driving), and I was not happy the enoteca’s website says they’re open until 10 pm, but the sign on the door says except for the hours between 2 and 6 pm. Anyway, time was getting away from us. I went to Ale’s B&B in Catania, explained what I tried to gift him, and offered — an admittedly crude gesture — cash for his trouble, and for the bus fare. 

“No, no, Kah-rrren. Don’t worry. I’ll just see the bus driver who goes to Agrigento, give him these keys, which have my brother’s B&B address, and the bus driver will read it and bring these to him”.

Can you imagine? That’s like telling a tour bus operator I left my keys at Wisconsin Dells. Could you just swing them by my house in the Twin Cities on the return to the Greyhound station tonight?

I promised to send people to his (charming) B&B in Catania. I said, I’ll take a picture of your sign so I remember it. You get in the shot as well. 

“Wait, wait—with the keys! Then you send to Francesco!”

So I did.

These are a couple of great guys. Next time you’re in Catania or Agrigento, Sicily, stay with them!

Tonight, pizza with the family.

Many questions, following the Texas shooting, about why Americans kill children.

In Italy, it’s recognized that people have mental health issues. But anyone who wants to use a gun must

-have a yearly psychological examination 

-wait 15-30 days before receiving the gun or ammo they purchase

-pay a lot of money for ammo

-receive only 5 bullets until the next round of applications 

Makes. So. Much. Sense.

I talked to my mom tonight—finally.

And we’re still waiting to hear anything definitive on Everett. I’d ask for your thoughts and prayers, but I nearly vomit at those words these days.

Elena has another visa angle; an attorney’s plan. Good for two years. I didn’t think I could, but I just may opt to stay. Texas swayed it.

Nonno suggested that Alessandro could perform a marriage ceremony at the vineyard house. Joe chuckled a little about that. But, Nonno didn’t say it had to be him!

So we’ll see. I’ll sleep on it 😉

Buonanotte.