Different ATM

From Linate airport to Milano central station,
I took what Japanese call "limousine," which is actually a shuttle bus.

Usually they sell bus tickets at a kiosk (tabacchi)
But a tabacchi in the airport closed already.

Conveniently, I found an automated ticket-vending machine.
But a man passing by told me that I had to buy a bus ticket directly
from the bus driver and he showed also me the bus to take.
So I went to the bus and offered 5 Euro to the driver.

 The driver did not receive my 5 Euro and explained something passionately.
I caught the word "ATM" and guesed that I had to buy a
ticket at the automated ticket-vending machine.
O.K.
I went back to the vending machine and bought a 5 Euro ticket.

When I came back to the bus with a ticket in my hand,
the driver smiled first But then he waggled his head.
He again explained something passionately to me, pointing a logo "ATM"
on his polo shirt.

I understood.

There are two bus companies running a shuttle bus between the airport and 

the central station,
The man worked for "ATM" but I had bought a ticket of the other company.

Oh Oh. 

OK. he said, and gave me a lift to the station.

Grazie mille !

--To read this post in Japanese, click here.



Brava!

I was shopping in a supermarket in Rome Termini station.
At a check out counter, I took my items from the basket and put them on a conveyor belt.
I tried to put my empty basket on the stack of empty baskets underneath the counter.
But I couldn't make it because the shape of my basket is different from the one on the top of the stack and there was not enough space.

So I just sorted out the stack of basket  re-stacked them, and put my basket on the top of it, successfully.
Done!

Then..

"Brava!"
A cute old woman waiting on the line behind me clapped her hands.
"Brava" is the feminine form of "Bravo."

It is nothing really... I thought for a moment.
But it made me flattered and happy.

"Grazie mille." (Thanks very much)

Oh I love this cheerfulness and friendliness of Italian people.

--To read this post in Japanese, click here.