Strikes, gas lines and pink traffic lights

The last two weeks have been interesting and very busy. I went to Grottaglie on business trips both weeks. It is in the arch of the boot, about 4 hrs. each way from Napoli. The assembly plant for Alenia is in Grottaglie and that is where the Dreamlifter comes to pick up the completed sections of the fuselage for transport to the US to final assembly.

A bit about the Grottaglie Alenia plant

Video of Alenia assembly of 787 and more about Grottaglie
(This video is in Italian and about 8 min. long but still worth it; it has some really nice photos and you will understand enough)

Monday, Jan. 19, I head out early, traveling with one of my business associates. Our trip down is uneventful and we end up putting in a very long day. By the time we head to the hotel, it is getting late and we are hungry and tired. The hotel has my reservation but not his, and they are booked, so we end up going to another town to find a hotel that has rooms for both of us.

I have stayed in the second hotel before and it is fine except for rather limited on street parking. After cruising the block a couple times, we end up about 3 blocks away in a questionable spot. Crossing our fingers I will get no ticket, we check in. My room turns out to have a lovely sitting room and kitchenette on the first floor, and bedroom and bathroom in the loft. This loft is accessible only by steep, winding and very narrow spiral stairs. Well,  I debated trying it just because I was so tired and ready to be done but with my knees, decided I could kill myself in the middle of the night! So back to registration.

The only room they have left at the hotel is the two bedroom-two bath suite on the 5th floor which is twice as expensive. At this point, I don't care and will pay it. Fortunately a quick call to the manager verifies that he will just charge me the regular rate. Go to the room, a quick unpack and then find some dinner.

At this point we are both bushed and just go down the block a short way for a delicious meal at a trattoria there. We ordered antipasti misti and they brought out a huge assortment of meats, cheeses, seafood, vegetables, and various small appetizers. It was totally yummy. We wish now we had not already ordered pasta. By the time the pasta shows up, neither of us can eat more than a few bites. Next time, split the antipasti and split the pasta.

Back to Napoli the next day.

On Monday, Jan. 23, back to Grottaglie again, this time planning to spend three nights there and return on Thursday. The trucks were beginning to gather along the roadside for the strike. I had not listened to any news but my associate knew there was a strike building. By Monday evening, the reports are roads blockaded throughout southern Italy. The protest is about fuel tax increases coupled with the plan to issue additional licenses for independent haulers (and for taxis as well) which will then create a glut in the market and drive down wages. For a population of people that are already heavily taxed, this is just too much. Rumors are that the taxis, busses and trains may join them by later in the week.

By Tuesday, gas lines are forming and many stations are out of gas. The trucking strike is starting to affect the groceries as well. I am glad that I fueled about half way to Grottaglie so I have about 3/4 tank left. We are staying in Martina Franca, about 25 km from Grottaglie. But at this point I have plenty of gas to get back and forth. Delicious meal at the hotel, ordered the antipasti for two and no pasta. Still too much food. These Italians do antipasti right! (Another blog coming on antipasti)

Tuesday night we have a delicious meal of pizza at a local restaurant.

Sagitario Ristorante, Martina Franca, with my business associate

 Wednesday morning we wake up to snow in Martina Franca, which is 1500 - 2000 ft. up. The road is still warm enough it is not sticking but we are glad we brought coats! Another long day at work and back up the mountain in the evening. We determined when the gas gage is at half, we will head back so we have enough fuel to get home. People are carpooling to conserve gas, and riding public transportation where possible.

On the way back to the hotel, both of us tired and a little punchy, we come across a traffic light that is pink. I said "Bruce, what does that mean? Do I stop, slow down, or what?" We laughed and then it turned red, then green and we went on. Still not sure if we were hallucinating after too many long hours of work, or what!

Thursday, we head back to Napoli, deciding not to risk any more trips up and down the mountain. We heard on the news that the government is invoking the law which allows for strikes of only three days; longer than that and they start making arrests and confiscating trucks. By the time we got north to the A14 west of Bari, we start seeing some stations that have diesel. We stop at the Esso and wait about 20 min. to fill our tank.

My A3 Audi

Gas lines reminds me of the 1970's

Line is about 1 km long by the time we leave

Funny but as we drove west, we saw several stations open and no wait. We are also seeing some trucks on the road and a convoy of fuel trucks being escorted by polizzia. The "crisis" is over although it will be a few days for the stations to all open up and things to return to normal. Mostly the shortages and then closings were caused by panic since everyone filled their tank whether they needed to or not. The shelves in the groceries are empty also, since the panic spread to food as well.

Some rumors still saying Friday will be a general strike, but the sentiment we are feeling here is that people are done with it and ready to get on with life.