my life italian: June 2006

I don't know honey, I think it's missing something...

...like, maybe we should put a helicopter on top of the yacht. After all, the boat is only about 150 feet long. Maybe it'll add a touch of, I don't know--rich...

;)

That's more like it

So the other day I had to take some clients on a tour of the Tommasone winery. As we were ascending the hill in the taxi, I looked behind me to speak with one of the ladies. In the background I saw a blue sea that stretched for miles, and in front, the encroaching vineyards. All I could think was, "Am I actually getting paid for this?"

As we got out of the cab, I started translating the technical details of the winemaking process. We passed through the vines that overlook the clear water to get to the gazebo-covered table where we would have the wine tasting. One by one, the plates of salami, cheese, bread, and glasses of wine arrived. I took my first sip of the cool glass of Pithecusa white while we chatted away, and all I could think was, "Am I actually getting paid for this?"

Three hours later, we headed back to the sailboat, and the husbands asked me if I could come with them to buy some cashmere sweaters at a famous store called "Loro Piano." I agreed, of course. We hopped back into the cab, headed to the shopping street, and the guys bought their sweaters. Naturally, they were parched, so they asked me choose a good white wine from the closest outdoor cafe. We sat down, they finished their aperitivo, and we went back to pier. They asked me to come on board where the wives were waiting to go eat, they had spent too much money and needed "a buffer." I agreed of course. I gossiped with the wives as the setting sun threw pink reflections on the water, and all I could think was, "Am I actually getting paid for this?"

After a little while, I got off the boat to arrange the reservations for their dinner. I went to tell them that their ride was waiting, and that I wanted to say goodbye because they were leaving early the next morning. Very subtley, a 200 euro bill was placed in my hand for my time and patience, and all I could think was...

"OH MY GOD!! I AM getting paid for this." :)