Chapter 8
Reggio—Emilia and our encounter with the policio
Our first day in Italy was spent mostly on the airplane. It was also a day I had a few problems with the Policio
Our flight was from Paris to Florence, but a thunderstorm over Florence, diverted us to Bologna.
They said, a bus would take us to Florence, where we had a car reservation. Faye said she would wait for the luggage, while I went into the airport to see if we could get our car reservation transferred. They said they had one car. But I would need to hurry.
Going back to the baggage area, I was stopped by the security guard. He spoke no English and I spoke no Italian. All kinds of gestures got us nowhere. I just need back into baggage area to get my wife.
"No No," he kept saying. I tried to get around him a few times, but he kept catching me.
Finally, he was on the the phone and I heard the word “policio.”
I beat a hasty retreat.
We finally got the car, and went on to Reggio-Emilia where we had a hotel reservation.
Our car reservation was in Faye's name because since I was over 70, the insurance for me to drive the car in Italy was beyond any thing Geico could cover. It also was a stick shift, to which Faye said, "I can't drive a stick shift." So I said, "I'll drive." The clerk led us out into the front of the airport where our car was waiting, and I said, "thanks for all your help," and suggested Faye jump into the driver's seat while a slowly loaded the luggage in the trunk and waited for the clerk to dissappear. Once the clerk was gone, we switched seats and beat a hasty retreat out onto the autostrada heading for Reggio-Emilia."
The hotel had given specific instructions on how to drive the streets of this ancient city which dated back to 187 BC. We kept missing the hotel, driving around and around, when suddenly we found ourselves going the wrong way on a one-way street, clearly marked in Italian, of course.
Enter “policio.”
He stopped us. “ Hotel Posta,” I said several times, to which he finally pointed back up the street in the direction we were driving. I think I saw him roll his eyes, and give one of those Italian hand expressions which could only be interpreted as.....
We are Reggio-Emilia to visit the home of parmigiano-reggiano cheese. It was in Parma, a short drive to the next town, and we had made reservations on-line for the tour.
To which I said, “let'stake a taxi.” I had no intention of driving unless it was necessary.
The hotel called a taxi for us, then told the driver where we wanted to go. The driver of course spoke no English and we of course spoke no Italian.
Our guide at the cheese factory spoke both Italian and English, actually very good English. Several ladies, all American, husbands at a business conference, joined us.
More about the cheese factory later.
Best way to explain Hotel Posta is to take it direct from their outstanding marketing book which was in our room, which is now in our living room back home
“Located in the centre of the ancient heart of Reggio Emillia, close to the Romanesque style Cathedral, the Town Hall where the Italian Tricolour flag was born in 1797, theatres, restaurants, shops and banks, the medieval “Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo” has been the most outstanding symbol of the town for over 800 years.”
Wow. Does it get any better than this?.
It went on to say – “The Hotel boasts a five-century tradition in hospitality; in 1515 the building became a guest house for travelers with the the evocative name of “Locanda del Cappello Rosso.”
As you wandered through the building you realized that this was a hotel that catered to world-wide travelers, conventioneers and business people.
It had the usual meeting rooms, large dining hall, and small cafe, where a buffet breakfast was served, unlike “continental” breakfasts served at the Ramada or Holiday Inns.
The typical Italian breakfast is a cup of cappuccino and a pastry. This breakfast was grand, displayed at a long, long table, stuffed with sinful pastries, artistically decorated breakfast cakes, fresh fruits, cereals, etc...,
We continue with the description of the hotel from its marketing book –“ the charm of the past centuries blends with today's modern amenities to satisfy the most exacting guest. Among the numerous facilities, we offer WI-fi internet connection, garage, laundry service and bicycles that our guests can ride at no extra charge.
Bicycles????
A morning stroll outside Hotel Posta encountered bicycles. Lots of them. Everywhere.
There were few cars in the narrow streets of the town, so if you wanted to get someplace fast, you rode a bicycle. Riders were everywhere, and we soon learned: Do not divert your direction to get out of the way of a bike rider. It's their responsibility to miss you.
Just keep going straight.
Next chapter on Tuesday, Aug. 14
Please see my website: www.JamesEllistonSmith.com
and drool over the food.
