Train rules

Leaving Assisi we rushed to catch the train that had just arrived. A Eurostar, a bit flasher than the Trenitalia trains we were used to. Oh, they also run by different rules but no one told us that. We settled in for the short trip to Perugia. Along came the conductor. She was not like any conductor I have ever seen before. Muzz was besotted instantly, she was fashion model beautiful and could have graced any catwalk in the world. 

Unfortunately she had some bad news for us in her wonderfully accented English, we needed to pay extra to travel on Eurostar, 30 Euro each extra. And we needed to pay this at the station or the penalty was to double the extra cost. We professed our innocence of this rule, and we were indeed  innocent. She was wonderful, carefully explaining to these dumb tourists the rules around the trains we could travel on in Italy. 

We discussed the extra cost and I must confess I argued a little although she had us cold. All the time Muzz had a silly grin on his face as he gazed up at her while nudging me in the ribs every time I spoke. Then a miracle happened. She must have bought our innocence so she proceeded to "maka a mistaka" with issuing the new ticket, basically a two for one deal. The other passengers watching this exchange, and having it translated by said goddess, thought this was a fair solution. While she was making the mistake, she talked to us finishing with a "there, whata mistaka to maka" and a big smile. A truly beautiful lady. 

We met many people in Italy who were prepared to give us some leeway, people who encouraged our attempts at their language, who made us feel welcome and sent us to their favorite places and who made traveling there such a pleasure.