Kleins in Italy

Tuesday was our travel day from Rome up to Florence. We had a planned stop along the coast in Campiglia Marittima to see old Atlanta friends, Sam and Carlotta, who have since moved back to Italy to her family homestead. We bought our train tickets and Carlotta was set to meet us at the station just a short drive from their house. All proceeded smoothly and I spent most of the trip catching up on my blog. Shortly before our stop, we gathered our things and were standing next to the door, ready to hop off. As the train stopped, I reached out to open the door but nothing happened. David tried next. Nothing. We were frantically pushing buttons and pulling on the door latch when the train continued merrily on its way with us still onboard.

Mild panic ensued until we got through to Carlotta and sorted out where the next stop would be. There was also the lingering question of whether the stupid Americans could get themselves off the train when they got there. Forty five minutes later, we pulled into Livorno. This time other passengers were also getting off. Our inability to get the door open had created quite a stir and there were a number of us huddled nervously around the door. We were more than happy to let the locals take first crack at getting it open. And guess what? It wouldn’t open! Fortunately, someone got the conductor’s attention and she came down with a key to open it. Still nothing! Finally, we all went traipsing through another car to find a door that would open and get ourselves off that damn train. But at least the stupid Americans were vindicated!

We spent an hour in the Livorno train station getting lung cancer from the locals (everyone smokes here) then returned to Campiglia Marittima. It was an annoying loss of time but fortunately, nothing more. Carlotta was there to meet us at the station and we spent the next several hours touring their stunning hilltop home, catching up and enjoying a wonderful al fresco lunch together. Carlotta was such a gracious host and it was a special treat for us to share in the amazing history of her family’s estate. Too soon, our driver arrived to take us the rest of the way to Florence and we said our goodbyes in hopes that we may meet up with them again later in our trip.