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So, after an absence of about 3 weeks, I'm back from Italy. (Yay!)

All in all, I had a good time. I saw plenty of amazing art, ate a lot of fantastic food (the pizza, pasta and gelato especially are to die for), and even taught myself a little elementary Italian. (Thank you, Google Translate). Now, I know how to ask for directions, order meals, and make small talk in Italian. Just please, don't ask me to deliver a lecture or conduct an opera.

Of course, the usual bracelet-salesmen pestered me wherever I went. Usually they went away when I said I wasn't interested, but one of them was unusual. On my first night in Florence, I went out for some fresh air. One of the bracelet salesmen tried to scam me, but I said no and walked away... and he followed me.

I walked faster, and he walked faster after me.

I figured this was suspicious, so I ran away ... and he ran after me. By now, I was thoroughly scared, so I ran to the Piazza del Duomo, where there would be police. I figured he wouldn't start anything with police around.

Wrong! I reached the Piazza and located a policeman, and tried to explain (with my broken Italian). But the bracelet-guy soon arrived, and in full view of the police, he started to yell "F*** you! You bad man!" etc. at me.

The policeman asked him politely what the matter was, and to my shock, the guy yelled "F*** you too" etc. at the police. (Obviously not a good move). The policemen quickly sized him up, said "Bracelets, eh? I got some for you!", pulled out a pair of handcuffs, and arrested him.

I wasn't hurt, apart from a bit of shock. But my hotel wasn't far, so it turned out all right in the end.

What's been happening with you?

Welcome back. I'm glad you had a good time overall. Really weird behavior from that salesmen. I would think they would know enough not to draw attention to themselves. At least he wasn't a mugger.

Ciao Rath, como esta? Nice to hear you're back!

I thought you had removed that idiot magnet by now... I had the pleasure of travelling to Italy (Rapallo in Liguria) earlier last month and in spite of cultural gaps, most people we met there were friendly. The only exception were the waiters at the pizza restaurant - and their pizzas were awful too .

But yes, the gelato was fantastic, as were the cappucchinoes - most glorious dish though was the traditional pansotti with walnut sauce - mouth watering...

Rath Darkblade wrote: ↑Mon May 29, 2023 8:12 am I walked faster, and he walked faster after me.

How does this $#!+ always happen to you?

Tawmis wrote: ↑Sat Jun 03, 2023 8:19 pm

Rath Darkblade wrote: ↑Mon May 29, 2023 8:12 am I walked faster, and he walked faster after me.

How does this $#!+ always happen to you?

I have no idea. Maybe I'm unlucky? *shrug*

In this case, this guy was just nuts. (Sounds like it, too).