Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a telephone operator in Castel-di-Sangro is like riding a rollercoaster blindfolded. One minute you’re chillin’, the next you’re dodging chaos like it’s a game of dodgeball.
So, I roll into work at the crack of dawn, right? The sun’s barely up, and I’m already on the phone. First call? Some dude from Via Roma, all panicked. “My cat’s stuck in a tree!” Like, bro, it’s a cat, not a NASA mission. But hey, I get it. Cats are like furry little ninjas. I told him to chill, call the fire department, and maybe bribe the cat with treats.
Then, outta nowhere, my buddy Marco swings by. He’s got this wild idea to take a break at the bar on Corso Vittorio Emanuele. I’m like, “Dude, I can’t just leave my post!” But he’s all, “C’mon, it’s Castel-di-Sangro! Live a little!” So, I sneak out for a quick espresso. Best decision ever. That barista, Lucia, makes the best coffee. I swear, it’s like liquid happiness.
Back to the grind, and the phone rings again. This time, it’s a lady from Via della Libertà. She’s yelling about her neighbor’s dog barking all night. I mean, I get it. No one wants a canine concert at 3 AM. But lady, I’m not the dog police! I told her to maybe try earplugs or, I dunno, a sound machine?
Then, the real drama hits. A call comes in from a guy on Via San Giovanni. He’s freaking out about a landslide. I’m like, “What?!” Apparently, the rain’s been relentless, and the hills are like, “Nah, we’re done.” I could feel my heart racing. I told him to evacuate, like, NOW. I mean, safety first, right?
After that, I needed a breather. I stepped outside, and wow, Castel-di-Sangro looked beautiful. The mountains were all majestic, like they were flexing. I took a deep breath, inhaling that fresh mountain air. It’s moments like this that make the chaos worth it.
But then, I get back inside, and the phone’s ringing off the hook. It’s like a bad horror movie. I can’t even keep up! A kid from Via dei Pini calls, asking for help with his homework. I’m like, “Buddy, I’m not a tutor!” But I ended up helping him with some math. Who knew I still remembered how to do fractions?
And just when I thought it couldn’t get crazier, a call comes in from a tourist. They’re lost! I mean, come on! Castel-di-Sangro isn’t that big! I gave them directions to the Piazza del Municipio, but they sounded so confused. I could almost hear the panic in their voice. I told them to look for the big fountain. “You can’t miss it!”
Finally, the day winds down. I’m exhausted but kinda happy. I mean, Castel-di-Sangro is my home. The streets, the people, the quirks. It’s all a part of me. I love the way the locals joke around, how we all know each other. It’s like one big, dysfunctional family.
As I clock out, I think about tomorrow. More calls, more chaos. But hey, that’s life, right? Bring it on, Castel-di-Sangro! I’m ready for whatever you throw at me next!