ITALY -- THE PEOPLE (PART ONE)

Since my return from Italy, I have shared my thoughts about the food, culture, art, and my experiences with bad hair. However, I have saved the best for last.

ITALY: THE PEOPLE – PART ONE

I enjoyed every part of the Italian experience – the ancient history and architecture, the most fabulous cuisine in the world, the Renaissance art housed in the grandest museums in the world, the Vatican, the Pantheon, and the Colosseum. However, without a doubt, the most treasured experiences involve the people Francis and I met during our 12 days in Italy.

Traveling with Francis is amazing. She knows no stranger, she will chat with anyone, and she even has the nerve to exchange e-mail addresses. She taught me a lot about seizing the moment.

I also discovered that, when traveling, people are more open. Ideas, opinions, and even secrets are shared with ease, without fear of being judged, and without worry that friends at home will somehow find out. Travel encourages openness and honesty.

I will begin with Francesco. Aah, Francesco.

Francis and I took the 11:10 a.m. train to Siena, a small town just 35 miles south of Florence. It was one of those last minute decisions to visit Siena and I am so glad that we did. We bought our tickets, literally ran to the train, and boarded just minutes before the train pulled out of the station. I sat next to and Francis sat across from a handsome young man with a backpack in his lap. Seeing our tickets in hand, he asked us in if we had validated our tickets. Francis and I looked at each other and gasped. Knowing the stiff fine for an invalidated ticket, we became concerned. The young man told us not to worry. He took the tickets from us and wrote the time of departure on the ticket. He told us that his method of ticket validation would assure our not receiving a violation. Somehow we trusted his advice although it seemed preposterous at the time.

We thanked the young man and introduced ourselves to him. He told us his name, Francesco, and explained that he is backpacking across Europe. His home is near Guadalajara, Mexico, however, he had lived in the States several years ago. After working and saving for two years, he set off to Europe for sightseeing and adventure. He shared with us stories about his childhood and family, his girlfriends, his studies, his dreams and goals. We were quite impressed with his maturity and wisdom.

Across the aisle from us, an older couple was sitting. The man spoke to his wife in Italian and at the same moment, Francesco and I looked at each other and laughed. I said, “That man sounds just like Don Corleone in the Godfather!” He said he was thinking the very same thing. We were waiting for the old gentleman to say, “I’m gonna make him an offer he won’t refuse.” I told Francis that was going into a blog.

As the train neared Siena, we compared our travel books and determined that we would need to catch a city bus up the steep hill to Il Campo, the best square in Italy. Francesco became our tour leader and assisted us in finding the orange bus to the town center. Once we arrived at the Il Campo stop, we got off the bus together and began our tour of picturesque Sienna. Francesco suggested Osteria la Chiacchera for lunch. The travel book describes it as an “eat-it-and-beat-it, pasta-slinging place, with rickety outside tables clinging to the steep, stepped lane” and I couldn’t say it any better than that! The food was delicious and the company was divine.

After lunch we continued our tour of Siena and discovered it to be charming and absolutely breathtaking. We were mesmerized by the Duomo, fascinated with Il Campo, and found the narrow and cobbled streets charming.

Finally, Francis and I decided it was time to catch a late afternoon train back to Florence. Francesco was staying in Siena a while longer but stated that he would assist us in finding the bus stop. After walking several blocks, we located the bus stop and immediately, the bus bound for the train station pulled to the curb.

I will never forget the last time I saw Francesco. I was standing on the bottom step of the bus and the impatient driver was ready to shut the door. Quickly, Francesco stepped up and kissed me on each cheek as is the Italian custom. He said, “Arrivederci” and I responded, “Grazi. Ciao.” And, in the blink of an eye, he was gone. There were no long goodbyes, no exchanges of last names, facebook information, or e-mail addresses. He simply disappeared.

But such is the life of a traveler.

I had the privilege of meeting people who, for a brief moment in time, came into my life and made an eternal impression on my heart. I will always remember Francesco and will treasure the opportunity to spend an afternoon in his company.

And thanks to Francis, I will always remember to seize the moment for there may not be another opportunity.

May 26, 2009