Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a shoemaker in Calderara-di-Reno ain’t for the faint-hearted. Woke up late, as usual. Alarm? Pfft, what’s that? So, I’m rushin’ outta my tiny apartment on Via Roma, trippin’ over my own feet. Classic me, right?
First stop, the workshop. It’s on Via Garibaldi, just a few blocks away. I love that street. It’s got this old-school vibe, ya know? Cobblestones, little cafés, and the smell of fresh bread from the bakery. But today? Ugh, today was a mess.
So, I get to the shop, and guess what? My best tool, the one I can’t live without, is MIA! Like, where the heck did it go? I swear, it’s like it grew legs and walked off. I’m searchin’ everywhere, under the workbench, behind the shelves, even in the trash. No luck. I’m fumin’!
Then, just when I’m about to lose it, in walks this customer. A lady, probably in her 60s, with a purse that looks like it’s been through a war. She’s like, “Can you fix my shoes?” I’m like, “Lady, I can fix anything!” But then I see the shoes. They’re ancient! I mean, I’m talkin’ about shoes that probably walked with dinosaurs.
I take a deep breath. “Sure, I can fix ‘em.” But inside, I’m thinkin’, “This is gonna take forever.” So, I get to work, and while I’m at it, I’m tryin’ to make small talk. “Nice day, huh?” She just stares at me. Awkward.
Then, outta nowhere, my buddy Marco shows up. He’s always got some wild story. Today, he’s ranting about the new gelato place on Via Mazzini. “Dude, you gotta try it! They got this flavor, pistachio with a twist!” I’m like, “Yeah, yeah, I’ll get right on that after I fix these dino shoes.”
Finally, I finish the lady’s shoes. She’s all smiles, and I’m feelin’ like a hero. But then she pulls out a 5-euro bill. “Is this enough?” I’m like, “Lady, these shoes are worth more than that!” But I can’t say that. So, I just nod and take the cash.
After she leaves, I’m back to my search for that tool. I’m about to give up when I hear a knock. It’s the landlord, Mr. Rossi. He’s got that serious face, ya know? “You owe me rent.” I’m like, “Dude, chill! I’m workin’ on it!” But he’s not havin’ it.
So, I step outside for a breather. The sun’s out, and I’m walkin’ down Via Roma again. I see the park, and there’s this kid with a soccer ball. He kicks it, and it rolls right to me. I kick it back, and he scores a goal. I’m like, “Yeah, I’m a shoemaker and a soccer star!”
But then, I hear this loud crash. I turn around, and it’s a delivery truck that just backed into a lamppost. I’m like, “What the heck?!” People are gatherin’, and I’m just standin’ there, mouth open.
After all that chaos, I head back to the shop. I finally find my tool! It was under a pile of leather scraps. I’m like, “Seriously?!” I’m so relieved, I could cry.
As the day winds down, I’m exhausted but happy. I think about all the craziness. Calderara-di-Reno, man, it’s wild. The streets, the people, the unexpected moments. It’s like a rollercoaster, and I’m just hangin’ on for dear life.
So, I close up shop, head home, and think about that gelato. Pistachio with a twist? Yeah, I’m definitely tryin’ that tomorrow. What a day, huh?