Il diario di Francesco

My name is Francesco. I am thirty-five years old and I live in Santo Stefano di Sessanio, a small village in Abruzzo, Italy. The streets are made of stone, and the houses are old. I work in the village and I know many people. This is my diary. I use it to plan my day. I write what I do, what I feel, and what I want to do better.

At seven I wake up. I hear the church bell and a rooster far away. Outside it is still a bit dark, and in the house it is cold. I stretch in bed and then put my feet on the floor. I feel tired because last night I went to bed late. I drink a sip of water and think: today I want to be calm.

At eight I have breakfast in the kitchen. I put a cup on the table and turn on the light. Usually I am not very hungry, but I eat something because it is important. I take a biscuit, drink an espresso, and then a glass of warm milk. I look out the window and see smoke from the chimneys. After breakfast I feel more awake.

At nine I get ready to go out. I take a quick shower and get dressed with a shirt and a heavy jacket. I check my phone and take my keys. I put my wallet and a notebook in my backpack. I go out of the house and close the door. In the square I greet a neighbor and a lady. I smile and walk towards work.

At ten o’clock I arrive at work. I work in a small tourist office in the town. I open the door, I turn on the light, and I turn on the computer. I put the maps and the papers in order on the counter. A couple of tourists arrives and asks for an easy walk. I explain the road with simple words and I show the square and the road to walk.

At eleven I continue to work, but there is a problem. I must print a page and the printer does not print. For a moment I am nervous, because I do not want to lose time. Then I breathe and I take small steps. I check the cable, I check the paper, and I turn the printer off and on again. After a short time it works. I say: good, and I feel more confident.

At twelve I take a short break. I go out of the office and I go to the bar in the square. I take a coffee and a glass of water. I sit down outside for a minute and I look at the mountains. I see people who are talking and a child who is running. I write two lines in the diary: now I feel calm. Then I go back to work.