Well, lately I have been going a lot of places on elevators and these are old elevators. In the thriller films, the heroine is always stuck in a cage elevator. I’ve been in one in Bern in a hotel (only because my luggage was too heavy for stairs) and in a medical office in Florence. I still have a bruise (yellowing now) on my right hand from the building elevator in Wiler – to be used only in emergencies. That day the emergency was the same – a big bag. Old elevators do not behave and the doors sometime close for no reason. I am currently staying in a building with three levels. The ground floor is called zero. Sometimes it responds to the button call and other times it takes two presses but if you press twice it will get the message crossed and will open the door and expect you to exit? I can’t figure this one out but had one scare when I read the number two as five because the elevator has a mirrored interior. In digits the mirror image of two is five but, none-the-less, I gulped a bit hard on that early lift because the building is three levels!
I am using the elevator in Florence because of the elevator. Let me explain. The day I arrived I found the elevator (with some help) but made a second trip (remember this word) for my second bag because it is a very small elevator. I’m not sure how old this building is but guessing the 1800’s. I noticed a museo ticket outside the elevator door upon exiting level three and thought it best to leave it for it’s owner to rescue. I’m almost to the door to that wing of the building when an employee picked up the ticket and asked if I had dropped it. No was my answer and, as I turned to enter the corridor, I missed a very high marble step and took a spill OVER my suitcase and there I lay for a very long time. The hotel employee was not there to see my lack of grace but I would rather have had help and a witness for just-in-case.
I am afraid of falling. We should all be afraid of falling but especially as we progress in years. That was a week ago and my new best friend is the pharmacist – first for the brace, then the doctors prescription for an ice pack, anti-inflammatory gel and pill, pain med, and yesterday, another covid test for the 100 degree temperature which is just an inconvenient cold. Still – I had the best day today and everyday since that fall. Breakfast tray was delivered today. I had asked for a chocolate croissant and they brought two. I postponed an outing and rested all morning. Took a walk to the post office then noticed a Sofia Loren cafe. In her honor, I returned later for a pastry, I had never seen before, and a decaf espresso and toasted to Sofia and to all of the women who have done brave things, and who may have been tricked (according the the film of her life). I’m a little brave (if that is possible) and I have been tricked by elevator mirrors, steps I didn’t see, and by not aiming higher. That word covers a multitude of sins which every woman, unfortunately, will understand. However, I am a very grateful lady today, elevators, trips and all. Now to figure out where to go next…on an elevator of course. Brave a few new steps because today has so much possibility. God is still good – all the time.
p.s. A number three in a mirrored elevator is the letter “E”. I thought you should know!
