Wow, what a day! Seriously, Giffoni-Valle-Piana, you’ve outdone yourself. I woke up thinking it’d be just another day interpreting. Boy, was I wrong!
First off, I hit the streets of Giffoni around 8 AM. The sun was shining, and I was like, “Yasss, let’s do this!” I strolled down Via Roma, feeling all the good vibes. But then, bam! I tripped over a cobblestone. Classic me, right? Almost face-planted. Gotta love those ancient streets.
So, I get to the venue, and it’s packed. I mean, like, sardines in a can packed. The Giffoni Film Festival was in full swing. Kids everywhere, parents trying to keep up. I was interpreting for this panel discussion about inclusivity in film. Super important stuff, ya know? But the energy was wild.
Then, this kid in the front row, let’s call him Luca, starts waving his hands like he’s trying to take off. I’m like, “Dude, chill!” But he was just so excited. I couldn’t help but smile. His enthusiasm was contagious.
But then, oh man, the panelists started arguing. Like, full-on shouting. I’m standing there, trying to keep up, fingers flying, and I’m thinking, “This is not what I signed up for!” One guy, Marco, was all about representation, while the other, Giulia, was like, “Nah, it’s all about the story!” I’m just there, caught in the middle, trying to interpret the chaos.
After that, I needed a break. So, I dashed over to Piazza Vittorio Emanuele. Grabbed a gelato—because, duh, it’s Giffoni! The gelato here is life-changing. I went for pistachio. So creamy, so dreamy. I was in my happy place.
But then, I overheard this group of teens talking about how they wanted to make a film about Giffoni’s history. I was like, “Y’all, that’s brilliant!” I mean, Giffoni has such a rich history. The old castle, the beautiful hills, the stories hidden in every corner. I could totally see it.
Then, back to work. I had to interpret for a workshop on sign language in film. Super cool, right? But the presenter was a bit... let’s say, dramatic. He kept throwing his arms around, and I was like, “Dude, chill! I’m trying to keep up!” But the audience loved it. They were laughing, and I was just trying not to lose my mind.
By the end of the day, I was exhausted. My hands were cramping, and my brain felt like mush. But then, I saw Luca again. He ran up to me, all smiles, and signed, “Thank you!” My heart melted. Moments like that make it all worth it.
As I walked back through the streets of Giffoni, I couldn’t help but feel grateful. This town, with its winding streets and vibrant energy, had given me a day full of surprises. Sure, I was tired, but I was also happy.
So, here’s to Giffoni-Valle-Piana! You crazy, beautiful place. Can’t wait for the next adventure!