Daniela’s dad has just left after spending seven days here. It was marvellous to have him with us. But I must say that not speaking or understanding Italian is probably one of the reasons I enjoyed his stay so much.
Daniela always gets stressed when he is coming. She knows what he’s like. I don’t. I am genuinely excited, she just smiles and says “you have no idea!” Which is probably true. I see an elderly but adventurous man, a little strange sometimes, eccentric perhaps, but a genial and humorous old fellow. She sees as a loose cannon, sometimes rude and inconsiderate, and an obstinate old fool whose only purpose in life seems to be to insult people.
Piero, or Pipe to his closest, arrived to us in San Jose after a ten day trip around Mexico. It would have been a tiring trip for anybody let alone a man of 80! They did Mexico City, Chiapas, San Cristobal, The Yucatan, Palenque, Chitchenitza, and much much more all by coach! Herded, from here to there, endlessly. My idea of hell!
On his arrival in Mexico he learned that his suitcase had been left in Paris so he spent the first night with nothing to change into. And the next day had to return to the airport to collect his baggage. He doesn’t speak a word of Spanish so it must have been awkward for him. Having said that, he seems to get by just fine by continuing in his native language until the recipient loses the will and gives him what he wants. Interesting technique but it works. Piero is one of a kind.
After his arrival here in San Jose we stayed in town the first night and the next day drove down to Manuel Antonio National park. A beautiful place, a little busy with tourists but there is a reason for that. Piero is not a man to be easily impressed by anything though. He has ventured far and wide in his camper van. Even drove up to Russia years ago. So he is a man who has seen a lot.
One evening I told him about my Camino and walking 500 miles and his response was, after some mental calculations, that that was only 16 miles a day? Not hard. Thanks Piero your contribution made me feel a lot less determined and capable.
But he doesn’t say things to be mean. He just doesn’t have some of the normal filters we all have. Some things are better left unsaid, but not for him. His background is software so I understand the way his brain works. Software engineers tend to spend a lot of time alone in their thoughts and every day lives. Awkwardly trying to appear normal but conveying an odd sensation of weirdness. When he says stuff like that I just imagine the young, super clever, but geeky guy alone at his desk with with a people skills deficit and some bizarre conversation starters that make his colleagues avoid eye contact as they pass the office for fear of being unwittingly insulted with slanderous obscenities. He is a fun guy when you think of him that way.
And we had a fun filled week visiting various beauty spots. Lots of miles and great vistas. We played a lot of cards and I got him tipsy on margaritas which was fun. They don’t drink like the Brit’s in Italy. Can’t take it. 🙂 (that will teach you for belittling my Camino!)
So after a very busy week we have driven the old fellow back to San Jose and dumped him at the airport. With a huge sigh of relief from Daniela. I was genuinely sorry to see him go though. He may be considered abnormal by his daughter and her cousins but I still love him because I can’t understand a word he says. A non verbal relationship I intend to maintain.
Bye Piero.
