Twentieth chapter. Ciao to all my friends. Well my time in Italy had come to an end yesterday. I had a long day and I spent it traveling. I had packed my suitcase the night before, wanted to go to sleep early, but I was just not tired, so I spend times with my cats, watched tv and was just reflecting on this incredible time I had. Finally I went to bed. At 4:00am my alarm Was ringing. When I mean ringing it is a sound that would wake up the dead. I was wide awake right away, made an espresso, fed my kitties one last time, added the last items to the suitcase not so easy to close. I did too much shopping in the spar market the day before. It was a miracle that I was able to pack everything. Packed the three pieces of lugguage in my cinquecento. Drove through the gate. Left the remote In a box- cassetta which is attached to the gate. And off I went at exactly 4:45 am. My flight from Bari was leaving at 8:05am. I wanted to leave ample time to get there because I needed to drop my car off at the car rental place. I must add that the rental company was not open at that time, and I had called the main office in Rome the day before and told them about my dilemma, they only at 8:00am and obviously that was too late. When I had booked the flight I did not think about it. They have me the number to call in Bari. There I was told I can drop the car if at Herz rent a car at the airport and the keys were to be dropped at the airport at the Herz counter in a letterbox, because they were also not open at this time. I was a little bit concerned about it that I would find the places. First I had to drive on la superstrada. Traffic was fine not to many cars. Before I knew it I was there, and could not remember how I got there. This is called self hypnosis. You all have done this before, so when you got to the place you wanted to go to, and you can not recall how you got there. Then I had to find the rental car places. Well you Think it would be relative easy. Not so in Italy. The sign for the rental car return was minute. I had asked a man who explained very well how to get there. I myself have gotten very good myself in giving direction, using the affirmative form of speaking. I parked the car, got my luggage out and now realized how much extra weight I had. This could be a problem. Proceeded into the airport building, found the mailbox to drop of the keys to my car. Went to the check in counter and there was only a short line, 4 people were working at the counter. I always look at the employees and try to picture how they are. Will they collaborate with me? Is she mean, or helpful. One of the ladies did not fit the appearance of being nice and helpful and I was hoping I would not get her to check me in. Omg I did not get her. Instead I got a southern italian signora. I told her were I was going and gave her my passport. Put on my charm and told her how much I loved Puglia.. She was pleased, wanted to know more. Told her that my final destination was Dusseldorf in Germany. She said the luggage sfortunatamente could not be checked in all the way only through Rome. Then the moment of truth. The suitcase on the scale! Omg! 30 pound overweight. I asked what could I do, not have to pay for the extra weight? She said put some things in another bag, she offered to even give me a bag. I took out 00 farina, lots of pasta, books, perhaps 12 pounds. I put it back on the scale and she said meglio - better. The suitcase went on its voyage. I could not believe it. That is southern Italian hospitality. I thanked her for her help and told her she was very kind. Off I went. The flight boarded shortly and I was off to Rome. Sleeping to heavy carrying pieces was not easy. In fact I have not all over in my shoulders. I arrived in Rome about 1 1/2 hours later.
Posted on: Fri, 10 Oct 2014 13:55:04 +0000