A short story …

for Friday Fictioneers.

.

It was hot. I was tired. 

‘Down there, meester’ the taxi driver said.

So, where was my  B&B?  I was desperate for a shower. 

I bought an ice cream, studied my notes and set off.

They didn’t make sense. I turned left, right and right again. I passed a synagogue, then a fountain, then a gift shop. Another left then right.

‘Please be here’ I muttered turning a corner. Guess what? I was back at the ice cream stall.

I showed the chap my booking confirmation and put on a lost expression. He pointed to the door next to his stand. My B&B!

Thanks to Rochelle for hosting and providing this week’s photo.

Click Froggie to join in the fun!

53 thoughts on “A short story …

  1. Sandee's avatar Sandee November 4, 2020 / 18:24

    Well done as always.

    Have a fabulous day. 🙂

  2. Brenda's Thoughts's avatar Brenda's Thoughts November 4, 2020 / 20:26

    Well, at least he got a look around. This has happened to me, too, in traveling. Nice story, Keith!

  3. Dora's avatar Dora November 4, 2020 / 20:58

    Lucky guy, right? He can have ice cream at a moment’s notice. Who wouldn’t put up with a hole in the wall for that?!

    • Keith's Ramblings's avatar Keith's Ramblings November 5, 2020 / 13:20

      This happened to me in Rome and there’s nothing like Italian ice cream to sooth the soul!

  4. Sadje's avatar Sadje November 4, 2020 / 21:38

    Good one Keith

      • Sadje's avatar Sadje November 5, 2020 / 14:11

        I know. Thanks

  5. Iain Kelly's avatar Iain Kelly November 4, 2020 / 22:51

    Always the worst part of the holiday – lost in a new city with luggage to cart around! At least he was close, and the rest of the holiday awaits!

    • Keith's Ramblings's avatar Keith's Ramblings November 5, 2020 / 13:18

      Absolutely, but as soon as you’ve unpacked you forget all about it!

  6. msjadeli's avatar msjadeli November 5, 2020 / 01:37

    Based on a true story? I bet he will be thankful for the ice cream stand so close to where he’s staying. Cute froggie!

    • Keith's Ramblings's avatar Keith's Ramblings November 5, 2020 / 13:16

      It is. I walked round and round trying to find my B&B in Rome expecting it to look like a small hotel, and even walked past it twice before asking a local who pointed it out to me – just an inconspicuous door with a tiny sign above it!

      • msjadeli's avatar msjadeli November 5, 2020 / 17:23

        🙂

  7. messymimi's meanderings's avatar messymimi's meanderings November 5, 2020 / 03:11

    Yep, it can be so easy to get lost and turned around in a place you just do not know. Well told!

  8. Dale's avatar Dale November 5, 2020 / 03:48

    Excellent! Especially since I did that in Siena, Tuscany… oy!

      • Dale's avatar Dale November 5, 2020 / 13:01

        Italy likes to confuse…

  9. ceayr's avatar ceayr November 5, 2020 / 08:51

    You should have taken Rosey, Keith, I’d bet she is an expert at getting lost!

    • Keith's Ramblings's avatar Keith's Ramblings November 5, 2020 / 12:53

      It was bad enough without her. She sometimes gets lost on her way home!

  10. rochellewisoff's avatar rochellewisoff November 5, 2020 / 11:04

    Dear Keith,

    Quite an adventure for a tourist. That B&B sounds topnotch 😉

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    • Keith's Ramblings's avatar Keith's Ramblings November 5, 2020 / 12:52

      Let’s just say it’s understated! Thanks Rochelle.

  11. Ramya Vivek's avatar Ramya Vivek November 5, 2020 / 14:15

    Happens! Sometimes the places that are dead in front of us are easily missed.😄

  12. larry trasciatti's avatar larry trasciatti November 5, 2020 / 15:38

    That happens to me quite a whole lot. I overlook the obvious and do a lot of backtracking

    • Keith's Ramblings's avatar Keith's Ramblings November 5, 2020 / 16:30

      Too often for me as well, and it always happens when I’m in a hurry!

      • larry trasciatti's avatar larry trasciatti November 5, 2020 / 16:38

        That makes it the most frustrating

  13. liz young's avatar liz young November 5, 2020 / 16:39

    My husband, who travelled a lot before we met, tells of getting in a taxi at an airport and giving the driver the name of his hotel, only for the driver to laugh and point across the road to it.

    • Keith's Ramblings's avatar Keith's Ramblings November 6, 2020 / 12:34

      Haha! At least the driver didn’t cash in by driving around the block and back again!

  14. granonine's avatar granonine November 5, 2020 / 20:00

    What? You didn’t take the opportunity to buy another ice cream?

  15. bearmkwa's avatar bearmkwa November 5, 2020 / 20:54

    At least he got a nice walking tour of the city, eh. Great story.

  16. Laurie Bell's avatar Laurie Bell November 5, 2020 / 22:19

    Hahaha Well it sounds like a good walk. You’ve got an idea if where to walk after check in. Classic tale.

  17. plaridel's avatar plaridel November 6, 2020 / 00:37

    i can relate. been there, done that so many times. 🙂

  18. draliman's avatar draliman November 6, 2020 / 09:03

    An ice cream stall right outside your B&B? Result!

  19. James McEwan's avatar James McEwan November 6, 2020 / 12:40

    Yes, local knowledge is that – just for the locals. Your story reminds me of my friend who visited Rome. She was exasperated looking for the Spanish Steps, so sat down and had a sandwich, the police came and chased her off with the threat of a fine. No one is allowed to sit on the Spanish Steps, they informed her.

    • Keith's Ramblings's avatar Keith's Ramblings November 6, 2020 / 12:46

      I can imagine that happening! When I visited the Spanish Steps, I was totally underwhelmed because it looked like any old steps anywhere – I had to double check I’d actually found them!

  20. Sandra's avatar Sandra November 6, 2020 / 15:28

    A little local knowledge is a must, particularly if you’re lugging a heavy suitcase around behind you.

  21. pennygadd51's avatar pennygadd51 November 7, 2020 / 18:25

    Your story had a real ring of truth about it! I enjoyed the chatty voice you used

  22. Tannille's avatar Tannille November 10, 2020 / 06:28

    Haha typical. I believe this situation happens quite a bit.

  23. Anita's avatar Anita November 11, 2020 / 12:29

    He made it!
    Phew!
    Tough to look for addresses even in our own city. In foreign cities, one may get lost!

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