I pompieri!
The doorbell rings and on the video monitor I see 2 men in full firefighting regalia. I pompieri!! Sounds of boots running up the stairs. I had been studying Italian at my desk and Fortuny is stretched out on my pile of homework. As i pompieri rush inside my home Fiorella slinks in from the bedroom curious about the commotion. They have her full attention. “Well Hello Misters!” Her whiskers twitch and she practically purrs. Who knew she had a thing for men in uniform? “What’s the problem?” I ask startled by their sudden presence in my home. “The chimney. We need to access your chimney.” One firefighter reveals an enormous sword. I didn’t know I had a chimney. “On the outside of your building.” they say and begin pulling potted plants from the windows and moving furniture for better access to the windows. I glance down into the canal and see the firemans boat positioned below my bedroom window with several more firefighters in the boat below. I remind myself to purchase one of those Rapunzel-like fire escape ladders you dangle out the window. “Signorina, Signorina let down your hair.” It’s getting hot in here. “Is there a fire? “ I asked confused. “No no” they reassure me. “But your house... it’s crumbling into the canal!” Venetian problems. Living in buildings that date back to the 1600s is not without difficulty. Bricks are falling into water. “We need to check for stability.” 3 more firemen come in. “Permisso? “ they say as they step through the door. Italians have a polite habit of asking permission when entering a house. I’m always fearful that by saying yes I’ll inadvertently let a vampire inside. - Vampires can only come inside if you specifically invite them. I digress. - Firemen
Not Vampires - Now 5 are standing in my kitchen. 2 are working, the other 2 are holding onto them as the workers lean out the window. The 5th supervises stands beside me and I crack an inappropriate joke about feeling like I’m in a scene in a dirty movie and 3 of firemen laugh, “Would you like Coffee? Water?” I ask the supervisor and he glances at the champagne bucket on my bar cart. “Adult beverages.” He laughs. I hear the sound of several more bricks splashing into the canal.
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