On Halloween night, I was walking along Via Roma in Florence returning to my hotel. As I was passing through the Piazza Della Repubblica, my shoe caught an uneven paving stone and I fell forward - BAM! total face plant! Three local men immediately came to my aid asking if I were injured and helping me get back on my feet. Two ladies who saw me fall asked if they should call an ambulance which I, fortunately, did not need. A guest who was staying at my hotel happened to be there and Claudia, from Mexico, insisted on accompanying me back to our hotel.
Their reaction to help a total stranger was heartwarming and reassures my faith in my fellow man. Grazie a tutti!
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11799 posts
That is a lovely memory of an unfortunate situation. Glad you were not hurt badly!
Posted by
franktown, colorado
2252 posts
I love to see these stories of unexpected kindnesses here so thank you for posting, Philip.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14822 posts
Philip! So glad you were not seriously injured! The kindness of strangers is indeed awesome and can help soothe the trauma and injuries of a fall.
Posted by
Western Canada
3514 posts
I'm glad you were ok!
My friend was inching backward taking a photo in one of the towns in Cinque Terre a few years ago, when she tripped over a fountain edge behind her.
She went rolling past me downhill, almost in slow motion.
Two big hunky young guys rushed to her, and hauled her up under her arms, while an older man ran out of his shop with a chair for her.
At the same time, another shopkeeper ran out with wet cloths to wash her arms and knees down where she had landed.
It was truly amazing!
She wasn't hurt, as she had rolled herself into a ball to protect her camera as she fell.
The camera also survived!
I love it when total strangers step up to help.
Posted by
Sioux Falls, SD, USA
3102 posts
I was in Florence on Oct 3 touring the Pitti Palace. I stepped to a window to take a picture. After that, I stepped back, but had forgotten that the flooring under the window was slightly elevated. I went into a wild uncoordinated attempt to not fall down, which was successful. Luckily, there were no priceless treasures behind me, or I would have trashed them.
I have great sympathy for Philip. Between the uneven footing of the cobblestones, the extreme slipperiness of them, and the relative darkness of the streets, it's not unexpected to fall. Glad things worked out.
Posted by
Sapulpa, OK, USA
6552 posts
I took a hard tumble in Vieste this summer, tripping on a concrete light pole support at an outdoor bar. As in Philip's case, people immediately came running to help. I was shaken up, scraped and bruised my leg badly and tore my favorite travel pants, but that's all.
The next evening when we went down to have a drink, a man comes running out of the bar: "Signora, signora! Sta bene? Come sta?" "Are you okay? How are you?" He was one of the men who had helped me the previous evening. I was embarrased that he had remembered me, (who wants to be remembered as a klutz? Lol), but touched.
Posted by
496 posts
Thanks for posting! It’s upsetting to be injured or sick while traveling in another country with possible language barriers, cultural differences,..etc!? I think many people are hesitant for those reasons. It is easy to be distracted taking photos or just taking things in while ambling on uneven walking surfaces! Your stories are reassuring and encouraging! So very glad no one was severely injured!