Over the past year, Criss has occasionally assisted Fali, president of the organization Nature for People, in correcting some computer problems and working on organization funding ideas. This organization works out of Fali’s house and so, Criss has been there 2 or 3 times. The first week back from our Italy trip, Criss was called to come to the house again.

This is not a problem. Criss catches the bus to Porto Romano, gets off at the correct bus stop and heads toward the white house with the green doors. Going up to the house, he calls out for Fali, but no answer. This is unusual as visiting the house is a big event. But since the time was not specific and Criss tends to be prompt even in a country where everything is late, he just assumes he is too early. Again and again he calls.

Finally, a woman comes to the door and having never met the entire family, Criss just asks for Fali again. “Oh Fali” she says, “Come in” and ushers Criss to the living room to a group of people he has never seen before.

“Oh, excuse me. I have made a mistake” Criss says and tries to exit. But sensing they have a foreigner as a guest in their home, it is not so easy to just walk out. “Where are you from?”, “Where do you live?” and several other that were not understood. And then the big offer – have a coffee with us. That would mean at least one hour of serious language embarrassment, so with as much insistence as possible, Criss say “No, I have a meeting with Fali”.

“Oh, Fali, the doctor”, finally understanding who I was asking for, “he is further down the road” and the husband tells the wife to put on her shoes and show me where he lives.