Man, what a day! I swear, being a ratcatcher in Castellana is like being in a circus, but the clowns are all rodents. So, I wake up, right? Sun’s barely up, and I’m already thinking about the mess I gotta deal with. I grab my gear—trap, bait, gloves, the whole shebang. I’m ready to tackle the rat problem in this city.
First stop, Via Roma. I’m strolling down the street, and it’s like a scene from a movie. Old buildings, cobblestones, the smell of fresh pastries from the bakery. But then, BAM! A rat the size of a cat darts across my path. I’m like, “Whoa, buddy! You’re not supposed to be the main character here!”
I chase it down Via Garibaldi, dodging tourists and their selfie sticks. Seriously, who needs a selfie with a rat? I finally corner it near the fountain in Piazza della Libertà. It’s like a showdown. Me vs. the rat. I’m sweating, heart racing, and then—POOF! It disappears into a hole. Typical.
Next, I head to the old market on Via Cavour. I’m thinking, “Great, maybe I can catch a break.” But nope! The market’s packed, and I can’t even hear myself think. I’m trying to explain to the vendor why I need cheese bait, and he’s just staring at me like I’m nuts. “Ratti? In Castellana? No way!” I’m like, “Dude, you have no idea.”
After that, I’m feeling a bit defeated. I grab a coffee at this little café on Via Mazzini. The barista knows me. “Back for more rat stories?” she laughs. I roll my eyes. “You have no idea, Maria.” I take a sip, and it’s like liquid gold. Best part of my day, honestly.
Then, I get a call. “Hey, we got a rat problem at the old church!” I’m like, “Great, just what I needed.” So, I rush over to Chiesa di San Giovanni. It’s beautiful, but the rats? Not so much. I set up my traps, and while I’m waiting, I can’t help but admire the frescoes. They’re stunning! But then, I hear squeaking.
I turn around, and there’s a whole family of rats! I’m talking like a rat parade. I’m freaking out, trying to catch them, and I slip on the marble floor. Classic me, right? I land right in front of the altar. I’m covered in dust and probably looking like a total mess.
Finally, I manage to catch a couple of them. I’m feeling like a hero, but then I see a kid watching me. He’s laughing. “Look, Mom! The ratcatcher!” I can’t help but laugh too. “Yeah, kid, I’m the rat superhero!”
By the end of the day, I’m exhausted. I head back home through the narrow streets of Castellana, the sun setting behind the hills. It’s beautiful, really. I think about how crazy my job is. I mean, who else gets to chase rats through a city with such history?
I plop down on my couch, and I’m like, “What a day!” I can’t wait to tell my buddies about the rat parade. Castellana, you’re wild, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Just another day in the life of a ratcatcher!