Lecce: The Personal Touch

Sitting on the FSE

Taking trains in Italy is more unpredictable than taking trains in Germany.  In Germany, trains run like clockwork.  In addition to schedules being posted on every platforms there is a graphical depiction of each arriving train with every car identified and the precise location on the platform it will stop.  This organization makes it very efficient and, once you are aware of the process, fool proof.

The ride through the Puglia region

In Italy, specifically Lecce, Rob and Beth found the train situation a bit different.  One Thursday morning they set off to take a regional train for a day trip to Otranto.  Admittedly, they arrived at the train station with only a few minutes to spare to catch the 9:43 train.  After unsuccessfully attempting to purchase their tickets at the automated machine, they walked over to the attendant and waited in line with a sinking feeling that they would not make the train.

Train stops are fun, and sometimes
taste good.

At the counter the man looked at them quizzically and informed them that FSE regional train tickets were purchased down the platform in another building.... Alas, it was now 9:50 and they had officially missed their train but they went to the regional train station to explore their options.  

Considering of the length of all posted trips, connections, and return times, they decided to head to Gallipoli for the day instead.  After purchasing the 3€ tickets, the later departure now gave them time to stop at a "Bankomat" and a cafe to request, ‘Due cappuccino porta via’.

One small regional train platform

Back at the train station, the next hurdle was to get to their assigned platform- track 7.  There were signs everywhere indicating to not walk across the tracks but to use the subterranean walkway.  However, other posted signs indicated that the subterranean walkway led only to platforms 1-5.  How were they to get to track 7 they pondered?  Was there a proverbial Harry Potter track 9 ¾?

More Puglia olive groves

Throwing caution to the wind, they walked along a broken up sidewalk that, of course, led them over tracks worried that someone would call out and scold them.  Soon enough a very attractive young, man with wavy, sandy brown hair and hazel eyes wearing a bright orange vest did approach them and, after a brief pleasant conversation supplemented by Italian charades, directed them to platform 7.  Despite the signs to the contrary, the walkway over the tracks was the right path, they just needed to walk a bit further.  They thanked the man, ‘Mille grazie’, who then returned to his work.

A one car regional train

When they arrived at track 7, ten minutes prior to their posted departure time,  a train sat waiting with engines running.  Rob and Beth pondered whether this was their train to Gallipoli.  An inquiry to a gentleman in a railway uniform informed that their train was now coming in on track 6.  As they waited, the very handsome, orange-vested man walked over, obviously recognized that they were strangers to the area and wanted to ensure that they got on the right train explained, mostly through hand signals, that their train was coming on track 7 but it would park behind the present one.  Minutes later their train arrived, as he indicated on track 7 and they were safely on their way.

Who needs posted graphics and punctual trains when you have men with iconic Italian good looks keeping an eye out for you?

Enjoying the view.

Post script:  During this trip and subsequent day trips, Beth and Rob found that the posted regional train schedule often failed to matched the actual.  At times they were required to make non-posted transfers to another train, or conversely, when they were prepared to transfer as indicated on the posted schedule, they were informed that there was no need.  Regardless, there was always an employee on the train who, without prompting, ensured that they arrived at their destination. Usually with an unprompted guarantee, "Watch me. I will tell you where to go."