Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a parachutist firefighter in Grottaminarda is like riding a rollercoaster with no seatbelt. So, I wake up, right? Sun’s shining, birds are chirping, and I’m thinkin’, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
First off, I grab my coffee at that little café on Via Roma. You know the one? The barista, Marco, always messes up my order. I asked for a cappuccino, and he gives me a macchiato. I’m like, “Dude, I’m not here for a surprise party!” But whatever, I chug it down. Caffeine is life.
Then, boom! My phone buzzes. Emergency call. Fire at the old mill near Via San Giovanni. I’m like, “Great, just what I needed.” I gear up, and let me tell ya, putting on that parachute is like wrestling a bear. But I’m a pro, right? I hop in the truck, sirens blaring, and we zoom through the streets. Grottaminarda’s got these narrow roads, and I swear, if I had a euro for every time we almost hit a Vespa, I’d be rich.
We get to the mill, and it’s chaos. Flames are shooting up like they’re auditioning for a movie. I’m thinkin’, “This is it. Time to fly.” I strap on my chute, and my heart’s racing. I jump from the chopper, and the wind’s whipping my face. It’s wild! I’m soaring over the town, and I can see everything—like the beautiful hills of Irpinia, the vineyards, and even that weird statue of the guy holding a giant grape. Classic Grottaminarda, right?
I land, roll, and spring into action. Fire’s everywhere, and I’m dodging flames like I’m in a video game. I see a family trapped on the second floor. My heart drops. I sprint up the stairs, and I’m like, “Don’t worry, I gotcha!” But inside, I’m freaking out. What if I trip? What if I drop my gear? But I can’t think like that. I grab the kids, and we bolt down. They’re crying, but I’m like, “You’re safe now! Let’s get some gelato later!”
Finally, we get everyone out. I’m sweating like a pig, and my heart’s pounding. But then, I see the old mill collapsing. I’m like, “No way! Not on my watch!” I rush back in, and I swear, it felt like a scene from an action flick. I grab the last guy, and we barely make it out. I’m thinking, “This is gonna be a story for the grandkids.”
After the fire’s out, I’m standing there, covered in soot, and I feel this rush of relief. The townsfolk are cheering, and I’m like, “Yeah, I’m a hero!” But honestly, I just did my job. I’m still buzzing from the adrenaline when I hear someone shout, “Hey, you want a drink?”
Turns out, it’s the mayor! He’s all smiles, and I’m like, “Dude, I just saved a bunch of people, not a Nobel Prize.” But hey, free drinks? I’m in. We hit up that bar on Via Nazionale, and I’m telling everyone about the day. I exaggerate a bit, of course. “Yeah, I fought off a dragon too!”
As the sun sets over Grottaminarda, I’m sitting there, laughing with my crew. I think about how crazy life is. One minute you’re sipping coffee, and the next, you’re jumping out of a chopper. I love this town, with its quirks and charm. It’s home.
So, yeah, that was my day. Just another Tuesday in Grottaminarda. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!