Under the Tuscan Clouds: Epilogue - Kevin vs. Gas Pump

January 4th: The Journey Home

Our time in Tuscany had come to an end, so off to Florence we went to drop off the rental car and train it back to Zürich. We arrived in Florence no problem, but before we could return the car we had to fill her up with gas. Sounds simple enough, but it turned out to be the most complicated and costly refill I've ever witnessed...

Unlike the US there isn't an individual credit card machine for each pump.  Instead there's only one machine that takes money for all the pumps.  I give you exhibit A:

To make a long story short, Kevin was unable to decipher the Italian instructions (I mean look at that thing...would you?).  As a result of his ignorance, he unknowingly "stole" another person's gas.  We're all reasonable adults here.  Can't we just talk this out?  Ummm no.  The victim didn't speak English, the gas station attendant didn't speak English, Kevin doesn't speak Italian so mass confusion ensued. Finally somehow through a game of charades and Google translate they got it all sorted, and Kevin paid the guy back for the 25 Euros of gas he stole.

Scoreboard

Kevin 0 - Gas Pump 1

Tally: Cost to Fill a Tank in Tuscany

25€

Kevin's mistake was now rectified, but he still had to finish the task at hand - filling up our tank. Flustered from the fiasco thus far, he accidentally grabbed the unleaded pump and proceeded to fill up our diesel tank with 75 Euros worth of unleaded fuel.  Well that's just awesome.

Scoreboard

Kevin 0 - Gas Pump 2

Tally: Cost to Fill a Tank in Tuscany

25€ + 75€ = 100€

Fortunately the gas station had a mechanic shop attached to it (we'll throw Kev a bone here and give him a point for this rare stroke of luck).  A few hours and 100 Euros later, all the unleaded fuel had been siphoned out of our diesel tank.

Scoreboard

Kevin 1 - Gas Pump 2

Tally: Cost to Fill a Tank in Tuscany

25€ + 75€ + 100€ = 200€

Alright, we back on track.  Round 2: let's fill her up for real this time.  A wise man once said, "Fool me once...shame on...shame on you...Fool me, you can't get fooled again."  Heeding Dubya's words, Kevin eliminated the risk for any further mistakes by letting the professionals handle this one at the full service pump.  For a mere 100 Euros the job was done right, and the tank was f'ing full (We catch dem boy!).

Scoreboard

Kevin 2 - Gas Pump 2

Tally: Cost to Fill a Tank in Tuscany

25€ + 75€ + 100€ + 100€ = Grand Total 300€ (yet the memories are priceless)

Wallets emptied but tank finally full, we were able to return that Godforsaken rental car.  Yet our sad story doesn't end there.  After hours of screwing around at the gas station, we of course missed our train and now had to find a hotel for the night.  To turn the day around (and since we had already been on a massive spending spree) we decided to keep the money ball rollin' and chose to spend the night in luxury at the Westin Excelsior.  Best.  Decision. Ever.  Days like these have to end with alcohol, so we capped it off with rooftop cocktails and Florentine steak.  Actually quite a lovely ending to a not-so-lovely day. The following morning we trained it home to Zürich without a hitch.  Despite the costly gas debacle, our Tuscan vacay was a great success...and I assure you, we won't be making that mistake again.