In this period I spend several days of the week in Siena for my corporate job. Siena is the italian city known for the Palio, a medieval tournament that takes place in the central piazza of the city, Piazza Del Campo. Beautiful place.

Few evenings ago I was there, alone with my notebook. My zombie-colleagues didn’t want to hang out, so I decided to go after dinner, stay there sit on the ground, and write an article for my website (not this one).

And that’s what I was doing, on a side corner of the piazza. Then a girl got near with a paper in her hand and a smiled. “Sorry if I am bothering you…“.

I felt quite friendly that evening, but with that piece of paper in her hand I automatically thought she wanted a signature or money. I didn’t have time to say anything because she continued “…I know it sounds weird…but would you like to come to theater?”.

I said “Uh?“. And her “…yes, it’s that me and my friends have a spare ticket for the theater and we were not able to resell it, so it is a pity not to use it…“. At first I smiled back and said no but thank you, I have to finish mywork. But she was really nice and kind, so after few more phrases the thing started to sound inviting.

I started to consider accepting it but first I asked (to her and to her friends who were getting closer) “well…aren’t you crazy, right? You are not going to drug me and sell my organs right?“. She laughed and indicated the theater (just attached to the piazza, I didn’t know about its existence). Other friends were coming. The situation sounded weird enough and safe enough to make me accept. And I did.

They were all nurses, therapists, doctors from the city hospital, but all originary from Naples. That city is famous for the warmth of the population. And they were really nice.

So….. I found myself in a theater balcony with a bunch of perfect strangers, watching a piece called Appointment in London. The show was, hmmm original, but I found that situation (mine) quite funny and enjoyed the acting probably even more than what it deserved.

And after the show they also dragged me to a pub for a beer. Chats, a walk, and their  stories. I spent a lovely evening, and I am proud I was brave and crazy enough to say yes. Well done, myself!

PS: but if one day I’ll get found horribly gutted and without heart and lungs, you will know how it went…