I went on a local website and I found this room with a view of Lake Bolsena-it was a family guesthouse with amazing reviews staying with a really nice family....it was perfect and there was a space available in a 2 person shared room (2 beds). I am a near expert on finding budget accommodation so I figured I could get lucky have no one in that second bed and have the room to myself-and that is exactly...what....happened:)
There was another girl who stayed there too but in the other room and a nice guy from Spain who stayed in HIS own room for one night.
It was a beautiful room with the most comfortable bed, snacks/tea and a nice kitchen/outdoor bbq with the family living upstairs- Stephano, wife, and son. Stephano and wife were so kind, full of life, and welcoming. All their reviews were 100 percent true and I was so happy to be in such a peaceful place with the incredible weather.
I extended my 2 night stay to 4 or 5...it was so relaxing and the constant moving gets to be exhausting.
When I met Stephano, he was really kind asking about my life in USA and what I like about Italy. It was a short conversation, but very warm, kind, and uplifting to my spirit .
The second night, I am sitting inside the lovely room just resting at 10pm and I hear music....I look outside the window and Stephano is outside playing the electric guitar. He saw me peeking my head outside and initiated I come outside.
I figured this was a great time to socialize with him and the family thinking his son would maybe come downstairs or the other guy staying in the guesthouse....
It ended up just being him and I sitting outside together.....
I said, "What about everyone else?"
He said, "This is my time of peace wine, guitar, and spending time with guests."
"this is the Italian life-the good life."
He was playing BB King...Pink Floyd....The Doors...we were just totally musically connecting with some great jams...and I was singing.
Again, the simple travel moments that I live for.....
He gave me a bottle of wine from their family winery and we shared that together.
It was so refreshing having these conversations about life experiences, expectations, how to live in the present etc. He shared a lot about his real life in the office by day and working in the fields for olive oil on weekends. I was going to take the train next day, but it was Sunday and only a few trains were scheduled.
"You should stay one more day and I can drive you on my way to work, but only if you want to Prischilla. It is really wonderful getting to know you."
There was some vibe going on and he was staring into my eyes and smiling saying, "I'm really special" as I sat there with my glasses, hair in a bun, and black fleece jacket. I didn't feel special at all, but he was very charming and spoke so eloquently. That was my green light to go to sleep as he was married. His wife was lovely and I respected both of them very much. I had a great conversation with her too, but in small doses.
On Monday, he ended up dropping me off at the train to go back to Rome and we had more great conversation over espresso and this incredible croissant. He was friends with everyone in town and he was just that person that made you smile and feel good-it was a very special quality.
He said, "I must come back and visit and he was very sad to see me leave." I watched him drive away and I smiled to myself....
When you are traveling and you are about to leave a place and you meet someone great like Stephano- it reminds you of the beautiful people that come your way... you want to keep traveling, and it reminds you that one day....A single Stephano will come your way and it won't just be you alone....It will be a companion and a partner to share your travel world and experiences with....bello! LA DOLCE VITA! CIAO
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