Live and learn...

When you look at a typical "overhead - carry-on - wheely - weekend bag" in Macys or some travel website you look for size, pockets, zippers, cost, color... But, do you ever think, "I wonder if this bag will float? Will the wheels be able to handle off-roading? The ballistic cloth will stop bullets, but will it keep my underwear dry in a monsoon?" These are all thoughts that were flashing through my head as we sliped and slided down the narrow puddle filled streets. The umbrellas kept our hair dry, I think. After passing the unmarked pensione once, then twice, we finally took refuge in a parking garage till we could reference our guide book. We were right next door. With 6 buzzes of the doorbell and a few bangs on the door with my fist for good measure we were let in. Although we had paid in advance our Italian was not good enough nor was the owners English to figure out what we were doing here. All we wanted was a private room and maybe a bar of soap. After my third time trying to explain who we were and what we wanted I opened the door and left before burning the place down! Jennifer, my girlfriend follwed sheepishly behind.