It is 11:00am on a Wednesday, here in Florence. There is no school this week and as we returned to Florence well after midnight from a trip to Valencia, Spain, I took the day off work. On the way home last night, Eric remarked how we rarely get phone calls or visitors to our house who happen to be looking for us specifically. That isn't to say that we do not get phone calls. Telemarketing fever is happy and healthy in Italy. Rarely will a week go by without at least one phone call for our landlord, since the utilities are in her name.
So this morning when the doorbell rang, I was pretty sure that it wasn't going to be for us. Opening the door with my wet hair (an Italian would never do this, I am willing to bet), I was greeted by a modestly-dressed, smiling couple. I immediately spied the 3x5 inch book in her hand. He immediately launched into his speech, which I promptly interrupted. I figured I was safe, telling them that I did not speak Italian. They responded by asking me which languages I did speak. I first mentioned French, and the woman just shook her head. I should have stopped there, while I had my chance. But no, I had to add in that I also spoke English. He lightened up, with his perfect teeth and clear eyes twinkling. He offered that they were Jehovah's Witnesses and he wanted to share the good news with me, and did I believe in God? I said we had just returned lat elast night, I was not prepared to talk. He asked if he could come back next week. For a split second I thought, hey, why not? I'll be back at work and Eric would probably be here, and he might enjoy the chat. But just ask quickly I thought I could not do that to either of them. So we're off the hook for now.
I wonder if Jehovah's Witnesses have a big "do not visit" list that they share among themselves, similar to the "do not call lists" in the US? For me, I am not so bothered by the phone calls. It enables me to pracice my Italian from a safe distance, where I can hang up the phone if I really mess up. Somehow I don't think I could do the same with the front door.
