This morning, it was I who woke up early. In the 2½ weeks we’ve been in Sardegna, it was the first time I woke up early – does that mean I’ve finally caught up on my sleep? At 7am I went out on the terrace to do yoga – Josh was right – at this time of day, the temperature was very pleasant.
Thus far, each and every day at the Villas Resort had been about the same. I thought perhaps today would be different than all the other days. Why?
1. I woke up early
2. I did a full yoga practice for the first time in months
3. There were actually clouds in the sky
4. There were waves on the water – making for a different beach experience
In the end, it’s really just more of the same. But I am searching high and low for uniqueness in a day. It seems I am not a candidate for a 3 week beach vacation in a beautiful island where there is not too much else to do besides eat and swim.
But, let’s ponder for a moment the people-watching. This resort is quite international. There are British, Dutch, Norwegian, Swiss, French, German, Italian, Canadian, and ofcourse, American people (us) here. But it’s a bit of a freak show. The Dutch kids never wear shoes, and their parents rarely change out of their bathing suits – even for dinner. There is an Italian that looks like Captian Hook, always wearing a bandana on his head and a hoop earring, along with the requisite tattoos, and his companion who is always in hot pants. There is the German crew that are here doing a photo shoot on the beach every day…an odd cast of characters that look like they are straight out of the movie Boogie Nights. The Swiss are from Geneva and have two little girls who are the most well-mannered, compliant, and docile kids I’ve ever seen. When I found out they were Swiss, and not French, it all made sense. Then there are the Italian moms with too much make-up and too high a heal. And the tattoos are everywhere.
Lastly, let me comment on the Villagio Turistico across the street. Yes, our calm, tranquil sophisticated oasis is located next door to I Grand Viaggi, a village that accommodates 11oo guests. When we first arrived and saw the section of the beach filled with 500 blue umbrellas and chairs and discovered that we were down the beach in our own spacious, private area, we were very relieved. Even, passing by I Grand Viaggi (or IGV, as it is known) on the golf-cart, we commented, “Boy, are we glad we are not staying there.” But then, by Day 3, it became apparent that actually, like it or not, the IGV experience would become our experience.
Each evening as we retired to our villa to take in the sounds of nature and the chirping cicadas, we were welcomed by the thumping disco party of IGV from across the street. In fact, they even use the base in the afternoons sometimes for god-knows-what? Step -aerobics? Are we still in the 1980’s? When Josh called to complain, the staff at our resort said there was nothing they could do. Not true. Actually, you could call them and ask them to turn down the volume. At this juncture, Josh was told that IGV's guests could not be deprived of their music. Quickly, Josh made it clear that we are their guests, and thus we should be the ones that they are worried about -- afterall, we are paying to stay here. Sad that this point needs to be made, but this is Italy, and Italy is not known for customer service or satisfaction. Later, we would be informed that we are the only ones (apparently ever) that have complained. It’s certainly an interesting social commentary. Here is what we know:
1. Italians love it loud -- as evidenced by the countless birthday parties we’ve attended. If it’s not deafening, it’s just not fun.
2. Italians are resigned to the fact that their opinion doesn’t matter and their voice doesn’t count. They just accept things as they are. There's nothing they can do.
3. Customers don’t really have any rights in Italy. No right to complain, no right to question things, no right
Therefore, countless times, we end up in this very situation. Niente da fare.
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