The Great Pizza Throwing Incident of Pompeii

Since I've alluded to the "Great Pizza Throwing Incident" of our Euro Trip at least three times (here, here, and here), I figured it's about time I tell you just exactly what happened.  (And no, the pizza shown above is not the one that met a swift, untimely end...)

It began innocently enough, as do most awkward and embarrassing situations.  Overcome by hunger and seeking the cool relief of the Pompeii ruins' one and only air conditioned building, we went into the cafe to buy an overpriced slice of pizza, a coke, and a Peroni.  It was a hot (91'F/33'C), sunny day and at least half of the tourist horde could be found inside this cafe.  We placed our order, somehow got bamboozled into buying keepsake aluminum Coca-Cola bottles, and turned with laden trays to find two empty seats somewhere in the noisy seating area.  My heart sank as I scanned the room, seeing no available seats.

"Oh, look - over in the corner there are some open seats," Danny said.  Sure enough, a couple sat alone at a table with six seats.  We began to weave our way through the narrow space between all the tables and made it to the corner.

"Uh oh!"

"Are these seats free?" Danny asked.  "Si, si," the gentleman said and gestured.  Danny squeezed in behind him, and I followed suit on the other side.  I raised the tray up to my chin level to clear the heads of the gentleman's companion and the tourists behind me.  The tray, already precariously loaded with a Coke, a pizza, napkins, utensils, and the ridiculous aluminum Coca-Cola bottle, shifted, and as my purse got caught against a chair behind me, the whole tray went flying.  It was like a slow-motion scene.  I could only stare, aghast, as my pizza flew across the room, smashed against the bottom part of the wall and slid to the floor, accompanied by a dust-storm of napkins and the thundering of my Coke hitting the chairs.  It's always nice when a room full of people, representing dozens of nationalities and speaking many languages, all turn to see the mess you've created!

Anyway, it could've been worse.  The pizza didn't land on anyone, I didn't break any glass, and after another 5 euro bill, I had a replacement slice.  Too bad it wasn't the best pizza I've ever bought!

And unfortunately, this was merely the first installment of mishaps while in Italy.... stay tuned for more traveling mishaps!

Ever been in an embarrassing situation while traveling?  Dish it out!

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