Hit
The day I arrived in Florence I went to a lovely little bistro for lunch. There were long, shared tables. I sat with some workmen on their lunch break. I was starving but when I looked at the menu I had no idea what to order. One of the workmen noticed and yelled across to the waitress. Moments later the plates started to arrive, bruschetta with squashed tomato, garlic and basil, artichoke hearts, garlicky mushrooms, olives, a bowl of creamy risotto. A feast for one! The workman gave me a wink and got back to his lunch. It was the most delicious meal I have ever eaten alone, in a foreign country where I didn't speak the language.
MISS
I got stalked by a man in Madrid. I knew he was following me and I panicked and ended up in a little side street. It was near siesta time, so all the shops were closing or shut. I walked really fast but he was right behind me. I don't speak much Spanish but I turned to him and said very loudly in Spanish, "I have no money and your mother is a whore." And he ran away!
Victoria Abbott stars in 'Kororāreka: The Ballad of Maggie Flynn', June 9-17 June, Q Theatre, Auckland, and touring Russell, Kerikeri and Whangarei from June 19-24. See redleaptheatre.co.nz for more details.
