I had been in Italy for almost a month teaching art workshops for Daune Pitman and the trip was ending with time to rest in Florence. It was the day before heading back to the US and Daune and I had planned to catch the fast train to Arezzo for the once a month Sunday vintage market.
It was still early in the morning and dark when we got into our Uber to take us to the train station. We had a croissant from our hotel to hold us over for the short 27-minute fast train ride to Arezzo where we were already thinking about where to grab a cappuccino before shopping for treasures.
As the train was slowly coming to a stop at the Arezzo platform Daune and I made our way to the double doors. The train appeared to completely come to a stop. The doors were not automatically opening so we proceeded to push all the buttons to manually open the doors. The train started to slowly move ahead and we then felt a little foolish that we must not already be at the final stop on the platform. Then the train started to pick up speed and one of the attendants looked at us perplexed and told us we were supposed to get off at that stop. As the train was now full speed leaving Arezzo, we were confirming to him that yes, we were supposed to get off the train but the doors did not open automatically or manually. He seemed super annoyed with us and told us to follow him almost like school children that were about to get it!
We explained to the man that was above the attendant what had happened. He told us there was nothing we could do. He then told us, “Next stop, Rome.” I answered back, “Rome, Rome?”. Yes, we were on the fast train heading, for an additional hour, to Rome and there would be no stops in-between Arezzo and Rome. Rome, Rome. THE Rome. The Rome I had only read about and had never been. That Rome.
There was no use trying to debate or argue anything. The doors hadn’t opened. Too bad. Next stop, Rome. We then went back to our seats and tried to see what tickets we could find to quickly get out of Rome and back to Arezzo. There were no fast train options available and only regular multi stop options. Once in Rome we quickly turned around to head back towards Florence with our original stop in Arezzo.
After the additional 3 HOUR commuter train ride from Rome to Arezzo we finally arrived tired and hungry. We ate an incredible lunch and made our way through the market before the rains came. Thank goodness Daune is the same temperament and made the most of the day. The glass was half full the whole day. It was not what we had planned, expected, wanted or even needed but what we got. Of course, we were disappointed (very) but the day was redeemed by a good story, lots of laughs, a really good lunch, treasures from Paolo that I had regretted not getting in Lucca and a quote that we find works in lots of situations, “Next stop, Rome!”
There are lots of next stop, Rome moments in life. Who are you traveling through life with? It makes all the difference.
Haha! That’s how I felt on departure day in Florence at the Airport for 5 hrs waiting to go to Amsterdam then arriving there and laid over until the next day to get home! But at least you got to go to the Rome Rome !
I wish for long layovers they would say hey you’re going to be here awhile let’s make the most of it and do some site seeing!
Haha! That’s how I felt on departure day in Florence at the Airport for 5 hrs waiting to go to Amsterdam then arriving there and laid over until the next day to get home! But at least you got to go to the Rome Rome !
I wish for long layovers they would say hey you’re going to be here awhile let’s make the most of it and do some site seeing!
great story, thanks for sharing, life always has a way of having different plans played out. I’m 72 and i’m in a totaly different life than planned and i’m very happy with it. warm greetings and wishing you a great life for the remaining time, from ria out of amsterdam
That is a wonderful story of lemons turning into lemonade in your glass half full. I lived in Italy for 2 years. Getting anywhere can turn into a misadventure, mostly from language barriers. I’m so glad you saw the rosy part of life.
That’s why we travel for the stories that usually involve a cultural misunderstanding or predicament. My husband and along with our 15 year old s d Ten year old spent a month in France and Italy in the 1999, hottest summer on record as of that time. We entered our lovely hotel in Florence and at check in I said I probably had a stupid question “Do you have a fan” As you know European hotels don’t have AC. The front desk gentleman said “ not a stupid question but a difficult question “ I looked at him with all ears he then said” the Fan was stolen by the last guest”! So there you have it! Probably an American whom just couldn’t deal with the heat. That was also the summer of plastic water bottles. We bought many every day and wanted to refill them, and we were afraid of getting bad water from faucets. Now I look back on that and see that was a trend that would happen all over the world.
Happy Travels
Love this adventurous story, way to turn lemons in to lemonade!
yes, that is how it is with travel! Either a great trip or a great story– and hopefully both in the end. lol
What a wonderful story and “Next stop, Rome” just about sums up life these days. But, Rome! You got to go to Rome all because the doors you thought should open didn’t. Can’t help but laugh and wonder about a few doors that haven’t opened for me in the past and some that are opening now.
Great story for great memories. Safe travels
Love the lesson! A friend’s son says…some adversity makes the stories, Mom! Knowing when to let go of the expectations and change course can lead to a richer experience…more details, more laughter, more learning! I’ll be watching for more Proof of Life stories. Thanks fir sharing!
Such a great story!
Great story indeed. It makes me nervous though because my friend and I are going to Daune’s retreat in May and have several train trips planned. What was the reason your doors didn’t open? Do you need to go to the front of the train to get off??? Please do tell.
Wonderful story! If no one’s life is at stake, embrace the surprises, enjoy the ride. Thank you for the story.
I read your story with a big smile. Reminded of me and my girlfriend traveling in Florence. Our hotel was on the outskirts of Florence, they told us what bus to get on, after long day at the museum and shopping and dinner. It now was 11pm got on a bus they said and we drove and drove , nothing was looking familiar. Finally stopped at a little grocery store with four men sitting outside. I proceeded to tell them our hotel name. They laughed a lot, finally talking to another bus driver and putting us on another bus. Everyone that got on the bus , the bus driver mentioned our hotel to them they all laughed. It was wonderful trip and a challenge!
I love reading your stories.
Brillaint!
I can see it now!
Oh my!
Next stop Rome!!
We were in Rome for a day on a hop on / hop off bus to maximize our sightseeing when a traffic problem occurred (and like Clark Griswold in National Lampoon’s European vacation) my little group kept yelling: “ Hey there’s Big Ben, and there’s Parliament” every time we rounded the same traffic circle (5X) finally got down to half the group intoning: Big Ben, and the other: Parliament!
We missed our train by the way but that is a story for another day!
Going to Italy next Spring. My, oh my. How did you ever communicate your needs in Italian? Ideas on ways to learn those essential phrases in case we “Next stop, Rome”. Love both of your hearts for adventure and wonder.
All of life is a journey, really never knowing where the next stop is, and filled with surprises all along our travels. I spent 3 weeks in Rome many years ago, traveling to Florence, Piza, and several other locations that I can’t remember. It was one of the most memorable trips I have ever taken. We must always be willing to accept the detours, most times because they are simply part of the journey!!! BTW, you are a lovely storyteller. Be blessed, sweet one!!!
I love this story! What a wonderful happy accident! I hope you and Daune get to go back to Rome and really have fun and explore. God bless!
As they say, “When in Rome . . .”
Loved your story!