Yesterday was expected to be an easy day. A 10 am train from Rome to Pisa, a short break then another train to Lucca. All went pleasantly and we arrived in Lucca at 3.15 pm. We could not check in to our b&b accommodation until 5 pm so we found a seat and bought a drink.
Then disaster struck, Kel's backpack was stolen without us being aware. A long story, but summed up on our part by devastation when we realised that amongst the contents of the bag were our well broken-in walking shoes and my special walking socks, and Kel's passport.
There are some nasty people in this world but they are far outweighed by the good people. A woman came and offered us help, she rang to find what we needed to do, where we needed to go and generally calmed us down. The Questura Office (State Police) was only 100 metres away and the man on duty was very kind and helpful and after more than an hour we were sent off with the official papers needed to prove that we had lost goods and that Kel's passport had been cancelled. Not good when it is needed every day to check in to accommodations.
After a sleepless night came more reality of what this meant for our long planned pilgrimage walk and other plans. Today is a public holiday in Italy and then the week-end so no chance to contact the Embassy.
More greatly appreciated help came from Sue at RAW Travel and reassurance from a phone call from the emergency help line at S-Cape Travel in Florence. They have even arranged for us to get help in finding new walking shoes tomorrow.
Our tech savvy children back home have thought of what needs to be done and how to do it because Kel's tablet has also gone.
Good people are so important and events like this make you think even more about your own actions when people are in need.
Today is the Festa della Repubblica, or Republic Day in Italy. It is the Italian National Day. It celebrates the day the Italian people voted to abolish the Monarchy and become a Republic. In Rome they have big celebrations but in most other places it is a family day.
More on our Festa della Repubblica tomorrow, but I want to finish with some positive words from a text message from my sister-in-law.
'I do hope you can rise above it, stomp on it , and not let it to deter you from the main purpose of your trip, to ENJOY your time in Italy. To continue with the metaphors; it’s only money, when you’re given lemons make lemonade, you only learn when you make mistakes, don’t let the bastards get you down, every cloud has a silver lining, life’s not worth living if you can’t laugh, make the most of what you’ve got! I think that’s enough: oh no, another… life wasn’t meant to be easy! Get the Message? Can you think of any more. All we want is for you to enjoy your holiday, no matter what, and come back smiling. Oh and for Eleanor’s Blog , I say, “It would never happen in Japan!” '
Thank You Good People!
Dear Me
ReplyDeleteNobody needs that