Troia putanna! Stronza! Two women came at me yelling. Whore. Bitch. I was speechless. I was sitting in the sun. I knew I was risking a €250 fine but I needed 10 minutes of sunshine. I was getting claustrophobic.

I’ve taken to opening every window in my apartment even though it’s cold. Turning on every light in every room. I don’t have a balcony. I hung up the phone with Halee - she’s a doctor- and she said “You seem low energy.” I am so tired. I can’t think. “Are you getting enough exercise?” No. I said. “Are you going out everyday?” 2 or 3 times per week. I want to go out but the police give tickets on the Campo Santo Steffano for being out without reason. “You need sunlight. For wellness. To maintain healthy blood levels. You need 10–30 minutes several times per week. Get out.” She said. “It’s for your health.” I knew she was right. I hang up the phone and grabbed my keys. For just a few minutes. And these ladies came out of their way to yell “Go inside. You’re infecting us all.” Another dog walker - a waiter I know from a local cafe - saw it happen and ran over yelling “Che Cazzo?!” Everyone is yelling in Italian. I hear words. Parolacce Words. A fanabl! Cazzo Madre di Dio! Intro culo di mammat! They are talking about each other’s mother. The women leave, their dog barking. The waiter turns to me. “Che cavolo!?” What the cabbage? I knew you didn’t speak good Italian and couldn’t defend yourself.” He said. “They can’t treat you that way.” I start crying and suddenly he’s not social distancing. He’s wiping my tears and stroking my hair. Mia cara! Don’t cry. His dog nuzzles at my knees. I sniff, Mi dispiace. I try to stop crying. “No sorry. No sorry.” He says. “You live alone. It’s not easy when you’re alone.” I needed to get out. I said. “I wondered about you. If you were here. It can’t be easy being on your own.” Where do I go? This is my home? There is no where to go. He walked me to my door and hugged me goodbye. People are so angry. He said. They have no one to be angry at. “Go make yourself some tea. Add whisky” he said. “And honey. Sta casa mia cara.” He kissed both cheeks and says Ciao. No thoughts of Covid19. And social distancing. Just humanity.

OUR SPONSOR:

Truly Venice is a trademark owned by Property Solutions, a Swiss based company that operates as an agent for property owners wishing to lease their properties for short and long term stays. The company was founded in 2007 by a small entrepreneurial team that sees a great opportunity in offering people all over the world an alternative accommodation to hotels going beyond the traditional tourist trip.

We aim to offer a personalised service, organizing restaurant bookings and taxi services, finding the appropriate meeting and exhibition space as well as offering flowers, special wines and food baskets. Property Solutions is a customer focused company that values your ideas, comments and thoughts. We encourage you to give us feedback on any aspect of our business, whether it be about the website, the service or one of our apartments.

WEBSITE: www.trulyveniceapartments.com

INSTAGRAM: @trulyveniceapartments