In the middle of… Rome
Illustration: Marc Herold
Perché no, you’re in the area anyway, why not visit the papal general audience again? How many squares in Rome are more beautiful than Bernini’s St. Peter’s Square? So you line up and join hundreds of others in witnessing the world’s most lax bag search. A maelstrom of people – and three police officers who now and then reluctantly glance into backpacks and indifferently wave everyone through. But then, just before you pass the three: An older pilgrim holds out his bag to the officer, who is about to let him pass when he spots something. With pointed fingers, the officer reaches into the bag and slowly, as if in slow motion, pulls out a wooden sword. Ed ecco: The inspector’s previously bored face lights up. Grinning from ear to ear, he says to the pilgrim, “Nnnnno!” Gokalp Babayigit
In the middle of… Hydra
Illustration: Marc Herold
“Freddie’s” is on the left, at least if you believe the handwritten arrow. At the next fork in the road, another arrow, even with a time stamp. “Freddie’s, 3 min” is written there in a black permanent marker. Anyone strolling across the car-free Greek island of Hydra cannot escape the signs. Maybe a party? Or a bachelor party? The fact that further stickers appear with the reference “Nickie’s” speaks in favor of the latter thesis. One evening the way home is suddenly blocked, people with technical equipment are walking around at the port, people in seventies outfits and Afro wigs are standing on a roof terrace. Cables everywhere, microphones and the message “quietly please” – a film shoot. what show shaking his head. Stars? Be silent. Are you perhaps Freddie’s? And Nickie’s? Silent nod. After all. Caroline Gasteiger
In the middle of… Munich
Illustration: Marc Herold
The legs hurt from walking through the park, the heat does the rest, so it’s a good thing that a friendly neighbor firstly holds the front door open and secondly has already fetched the elevator. Normally, of course, five floors are a quick walk, but mei, when the elevator is already there… Suddenly a warning noise sounds, like a siren, with even highs and lows. Oh no, is that elevator broken again? This is more common in the house and is a nuisance, especially for the elderly. In terms of the sound, it must be something more serious this time. The neighbors don’t care about the situation, he looks at his cell phone. Then he murmurs, half explaining: “I just got pictures of the construction site, I have to make an offer.” The tension is suddenly released. Even if that’s a really weird ringtone. Florian Kaindl
You can find more episodes of the “In the middle of …” column here.