By the middle of my second week in Italy, there was already talk of a workshop the 3rd week back south in the Grottaglie area, 4 hrs. away from my home base in Pomigliano. Just as I was starting to settle in in Pomigliano and learn where to go and not get lost, I turn right around and go back. This time I stayed in Taranto, a seaside town west of the plant. It is an old city built by the Romans as a leisure getaway and still has a huge seawall, huge stone bridges and many of the cobblestone roads built by the Romans. I was actually glad I ended up in Taranto at the Hotel Europa rather than the Relais Histo where I stayed before. Although I was not with the other Boeing people, that ended up being a blessing as I met some Italians and had an excellent time on my own exploring. I was sitting outside my hotel one evening just enjoying the breeze which gave relief from the oppressive heat. It was about 8pm and I had a long day at the office. I ordered a pizza and a 1/2 carafe of house wine (about 3 Euro and delicious!) and was sitting with my head back just smiling to myself and enjoying the cool. I ate part of my pizza before a gust came up and knocked over the rest of the wine into my pizza and drowned it. The owner and waitress both came rushing out and talking fast apologizing and fussing over me, they wanted to order me another pizza but I assured them I was full already and it was not a problem. After a moment I just started laughing as it seemed funny to me and I was not at all upset by the spill. A table of Italians were sitting nearby observing all this and invited me to come
