Once Upon a Time

Once Upon a Time – Day 97 May 21

I think it was sometime in May that Kelty, Jo and Taran washed up in the lovely penthouse apartment on Via Tara in old Firenze.  Looking back now from Greece it seems long ago but talking to them again I am reminded that it was really quite recent.

Of course if it had not been for the beautiful and lengthy Elly

and her hard working son, Pietro they might never have survived even the first night but as it was and finally – well I won’t tell you the end of the story before I even begin.

It started one dark rainy night.  The lady on google maps had seemed quite friendly and chatty as, with Jo at the wheel, they approached Florence. Friendly like a reliable and well informed guide Jo felt she could trust and understand.  Jo entered the city with her and no other at her shoulder. The lady though was all for turning and turning again and once more they turned in the narrow and twisty alleys of the cobbled old town.  No sooner was a route proposed and desiganted on the dashboard console then it was changed and rearranged.  A blur of instructions left no clue and Kelty awakened from a novel was little help as the bollards around the Uffizi Zone Pedone (pedestrian) were negotiated and market stall holders pushed their trolleys to one side and let the white elephantine campervan process.  Jo pulled over to inquire telephonically of Elly who said it was all fine as the cameras were switched off at 8pm.  Her detailed and well intentioned instructions were little help to our brazen but incompetent geographers. Jo Kelty and Taran suffered themselves a further hour of impromptu nocturnal Firenze; picturesque churches, piazzas and even once more the Uffizi were paraded past as tempers frayed in the dying night. But then

Pietro as an olden knight appeared

from under an arch-ed door he peered

“Forsooth the night is waning fast

Park your van here and find repast”

That night all ate well, if late, at Elly’s table and slept soundly in the manner of purring cats.

In the morning parking was again a concern

and wishing to prolong their stay, notwithstanding the exceptional and open-handed hospitality of Elly and Pietro the thrifty trio set out to find a means to support themselves in the city of Michelangelo.  Obviously this was not to be a casual or lightly made commitment. 

Determined to knock on a door or two

But all were closed (sadly and perhaps unjustly but that is the world we live in and Brexit has made it no easier for us Brits) against them so Taran and Kelty decided to venture a career of busking in the open air where success would not depend on where you came from but on what you could do.  Inspiration was close to hand

And with Jo’s encouragement

They set up as statues in the Piazza San Lorenzo

 
In fact this was not a great success and being near both lunchtime and by happy chance a pavement Brasserie they decided in spite of the spirit of prudence to lunch al fresco.

But virtuously declined further extravagance despite temptation as truffles are Taran’s favourite flavour

 

Which was all very well but regardless led to some serious soul searching as after a brief and unhappy period in the “rag trade”

 Kelty consulted his higher power for further inspiration

 

Temporarily lost in Florence

Taran and Jo sought inspiration elsewhere – in fact in a garden of 350 rose species they took the time where others might not.  “Truth is beauty”.

Fortunately for Taran who could so easily have gone astray his Father had been profoundly successful in communion and in enlightened state was able to offer much needed guidance.

So it was with a new and highly evolved consciousness that the pair were finally able to set up in business and pursue, with Giuseppe, a successful, long and happy career in retail

Photo by JO for La Gazetta Di Firenze

Before finally leaving Florence and continuing their travels with fresh laundry (farewell faithful Canada sock – you served him well)

And a final slice