Today, I leave to begin my work in Siena. We pack our bags and arrive at the train station early, which was good because it is gigantic! We grab pastries and juice, waiting for our train to arrive. When the platform number jumped up on the screen, we take off in its direction.
A woman kept trying to get us to follow her and get money by helping us to our car, but we kept refusing and trying to avoid her. When we finally climb up into our correct car, first class no doubt, this girl around my age kept pushing Jewdee from behind. We didn't exactly know what she was trying to do, considering it was just the three of us on the car. We got to an empty cabin and got in, and Jewdee dropped her purse on the seat to discover that it is open! Luckily nothing had been taken, but the girl had been trying to rob her! Crazy! Note to fellow travelers - when traveling with baggage, be extra aware of what is going on around you! People are sketchy!
The countryside was beautiful. So much more beautiful then the city. I don't understand how people can choose to live stacked up on one another in tiny apartments in chaotic Rome, when they can have these peaceful, quiet rolling hills...
Vittorio laid a few facts on me during the drive which immediately made me feel like maybe I should rethink the situation. His company was not doing well, he may not be able to pay me, the saddles are covered in mold after being left in trash bags since last spring. Hmm.. things aren't exactly sounding good right now.
We arrive at the stables and I am quite shocked at the sights. The horses have been neglected, and due to the rain, have been standing in knee-deep mud. The apartment at first glance appeared to be cute and nice for being a part of the barn, in fact an old horse stall.. Upon further examination, I discovered there is no heat, no insulation as I can see through the holes in the ceiling, and something is wrong with the wood-burning stove as it is sending out more smoke than it is heat. The bathroom was interesting as the shower was on a raised platform with a simple curtain that you can pull around. However, when you take a shower, the water sprays everywhere and runs down the platform onto the floor and out into the kitchen getting EVERYTHING soaked. There was mold everywhere, and the air felt thick and sickly. It began raining again, and I discovered the roof had several leaks in it. Now, had I been getting a definite and regular paycheck for this, I wouldn't of minded this apartment. I could make it work. I don't consider myself as high maintenance, but this was getting to be too much. How can they expect me to live in this unfit apartment, survive and eat on no paycheck?!
Patrizia, his wife, prepared a dinner of pasta and proscuitto. I nibbled at my meal while admiring the vast kitchen at the Castel di Tocchi - where they typically have guests. I watched and listened to the conversation while trying to decide what to do. There was an unspoken tension in the room between the family, and I was feeling really uncomfortable.
After a long conversation with my mom and Jewdee, I decided it would be best if I cut my losses and returned home. There was nothing I could do for these horses as the company can't afford to feed them.. So sadly, I repacked everything, this business is going under and I may not get a dime. I cannot kill myself with exhaustion for a possibility that the castel, home and stables may be taken away the next day. This is not my burden to bear, and as much as I wish I could help. I know there is nothing I can do. At least, this is what I tell myself as I try to sleep as the 10 kenneled, hungry dogs whimpered in the night.
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