Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a lifeguard in Cercola is like riding a rollercoaster with no seatbelt. So, I roll up to the beach at like 9 AM, sun’s already blazing. I’m thinkin’, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
First off, I’m stationed at the Lido di Cercola, right by Via Roma. Beautiful spot, right? But then, outta nowhere, this kid starts screamin’. I look over, and this little dude is flailing like a fish outta water. I sprint over, heart racing. Turns out, he just slipped on some seaweed. I mean, come on! Seaweed? Really? I’m like, “Dude, chill! You’re fine!” But he’s wailing like he just lost his favorite toy. Kids, man.
Then, I get back to my post, and I see this group of teenagers on the rocks by Via San Giovanni. They’re taking selfies, acting all cool. But then, one of ‘em slips and almost takes a dive into the water. I’m like, “Yo! Get away from the edge!” But they just laugh it off. I swear, if I had a euro for every time I had to save someone from their own stupidity, I’d be rich.
Around noon, I’m finally catching a break. I grab a slice of pizza from that little joint on Via Nazionale. Best pizza ever, by the way. I’m munching, thinking life’s good, when I see this old lady struggling with her umbrella. It’s like a scene from a comedy show. She’s wrestling it like it’s a wild animal. I rush over, help her out, and she’s like, “Grazie, giovane!” I’m feelin’ like a hero for a sec.
But then, BAM! A storm rolls in. Outta nowhere! Dark clouds, wind, the whole shebang. I’m like, “Great, just what I needed.” I start blowing my whistle, trying to get everyone outta the water. People are lookin’ at me like I’m crazy. “It’s just a little rain!” they say. I’m like, “Yeah, and it’s about to be a lotta lightning!”
So, I’m herding people like sheep, and this one guy, I swear, he’s arguing with me. “I paid for this beach day!” he yells. I’m like, “Bro, you can’t pay for your life!” Finally, I get everyone out, and the rain starts pouring. I’m soaked, but at least I’m not dealing with any more drama.
Then, just when I think it’s over, I see a dog running around. This little pup is chasing after a frisbee, and it’s headed straight for the water. I’m like, “No, no, no!” I sprint after it, and just as I’m about to grab it, the owner shows up. “Fido, come back!” she yells. I’m relieved but also kinda annoyed. Like, can’t people keep track of their pets?
The storm passes, and the sun comes back out. It’s like Cercola’s saying, “Surprise! Here’s your second chance!” I’m back on my post, and the beach is packed again. Families, kids, everyone’s back. I’m just trying to keep my cool, but inside, I’m like a shaken soda can.
As the day winds down, I sit on my lifeguard chair, watching the sunset over the Bay of Naples. It’s beautiful, ya know? Makes all the craziness worth it. I think about how Cercola’s got its quirks, but it’s home. The streets, the people, the chaos—it’s all part of the vibe.
So yeah, that was my day. Intense, emotional, and totally wild. Just another day in the life of a lifeguard in Cercola. Can’t wait to do it all again tomorrow!