Man, what a day! I swear, Santa-Maria-a-Monte is wild. I woke up, sun shining, ready to dive. You know, just another day in this little gem of a town. But boy, was I in for a ride!
First off, I hit up Via Roma for some breakfast. Grabbed a cornetto and a cappuccino. Best combo ever! But then, I spilled half my coffee on my wetsuit. Like, seriously? Who does that? I’m a diver, not a barista!
So, I’m walking down Via Garibaldi, right? And I see this old dude, probably 80, riding a bike like he’s in the Tour de France. I’m like, “Dude, chill! You’re gonna break a hip!” But he just zooms past me, laughing. I mean, I love the energy, but come on!
Finally, I get to the dive shop on Via della Libertà. The crew is all hyped up. We’re diving at the old quarry today. It’s supposed to be epic. I’m stoked! But then, my buddy Marco shows up late. Classic Marco. He’s like, “Sorry, bro! Got caught up in traffic.” Traffic? In a town this small? I roll my eyes.
We gear up, and I’m feeling pumped. The water’s cold, but whatever. I dive in, and it’s like entering another world. Fish everywhere! I’m talking colors that don’t even exist on land. I’m swimming around, feeling like a mermaid or something. Then, outta nowhere, I see this massive catfish. Like, bigger than my dog! I freak out, but then I’m like, “Chill, it’s just a fish.”
But then, the unexpected hits. My mask starts leaking. Ugh! I’m trying to fix it, but it’s like wrestling an octopus. I’m underwater, flailing, and I can’t see a thing. Panic mode activated! I finally get it sorted, but I’m pretty sure I scared off half the fish. Sorry, guys!
After the dive, we hit up this little trattoria on Via della Repubblica. I’m starving! I order the pasta al pomodoro, and it’s like a hug in a bowl. Seriously, I could swim in that sauce. But then, Marco decides to prank me. He switches my plate with his empty one. I’m like, “Dude, not cool!” But we all laugh it off.
Then, outta nowhere, it starts pouring. I mean, like, monsoon level. We dash for cover, but I slip on the cobblestones. Classic me, right? I land right in a puddle. I’m soaked, laughing, and kinda mad. But hey, it’s all part of the adventure, right?
As the rain eases up, we stroll through the streets. Santa-Maria-a-Monte is beautiful, even in the rain. The old buildings, the narrow streets, it’s like a postcard. I can’t help but feel grateful. This town, man, it’s got character.
Finally, we end the day at a bar on Via della Libertà. I grab a spritz, and we toast to the day. I’m exhausted but happy. I think about how diving is like life. Full of surprises, ups and downs, and sometimes you just gotta laugh it off.
So yeah, Santa-Maria-a-Monte, you’ve got my heart. Can’t wait for the next adventure!