Getting in Trouble.....Italian Style!

         These pretty steps are where this story begins...a charming town close to Montisi called Pienza.  Let me begin by explaining that our trip to Italy and England was to capture the unexpected and go with the flow connecting to the locals and feeling a part of these picturesque towns we were visiting. 
            Ok.... now picture after a lovely afternoon of shopping and meeting some beautiful people in Pienza and literally smelling the roses in the gardens along the way ..... yes at the next turn.... trouble awaited us upon returning to our rental car!  As we were leisurely walking and remarking what a perfect afternoon it was we looked and saw our rental car on a tow truck!  Oh no we both said in unison and looked at each other and both started running..... Please stop that's our car....Help!      

           When I say this was a comedy of sorts....it truly was hilarious as the locals had gathered outside as several tow trucks were lined up towing not only our car but three others. It seems we all parked  in a bus stop zone. Rocky said you talk to the Police Officer while I talk to the tow truck driver and lets work fast as we thought they were going to pull away any minute.
         I approached the Police Officer who wasn't too happy and explained I'm sorry in English and didn't speak Italian and could he please release our car! He looked at me and said No Madam! Now you have to know me to understand that I immediately started to smile and said.. Really! ( with a surprised look on my face) Then I realized he didn't speak much English. Once again I said I'm sorry and started making  hand motions ..I was confused as what to do and started asking anyone if they spoke English. By now Rocky looked over and was throwing up his arms like how was I making out and at that moment I burst out laughing and the police officer was staring at me like are you kidding me and I was thinking the same.  So next I took out my wallet and asked him in Italian' Quanto Costa ? Now the Bus driver appears and says Madam you cant pay the Police Officer and I'm explaining I'm not trying to pay the police officer I just want the car. When I say this was hysterical it truly was.
          Next scene the bus driver talks to the police officer and then he says OK Madam and tells the tow truck worker to release the car. In the meantime I walk over to Rocky to tell him were OK they're releasing the car and he says that's not our car... I could only again reply... Really.... (with the same look)  I cant make this up there were two gray SUV's and I thought the one I pointed to was ours ...after all I was only in it once and they were both Gray and so similar!  When I went to tell the Police officer my mistake he was furious and ripped up the ticket and muttered something in Italian. I then spoke to the bus driver again who did speak some English and we were able to get it under control and get the car back. Not cheaply I might add it cost us 120 Euros to get it off the truck and then 60 Euros to be paid at the post office the next day as the parking ticket.                           
        I will close by saying although it was costly it was really very very funny ...and as I hoped we did connect to the locals and will never forget our experience in Pienza and the Police Officer that afternoon