Beware the Steps: A Lecce Airbnb Tale of Unexpected Climbs

Once upon a time Judy and Kevin took their first trip to London together. It was winter and they both overpacked with backpacks and a 50-pound suitcase apiece. Since it was Judy’s first time to travel internationally, she did not look at the small print about their boutique hotel being a six-story walkup and no lift. It was a huge mistake. As they departed for each day’s adventures, they prayed they didn’t have to immediately climb the steps back up for things they might have forgotten. While eventually they could laugh about the error of their ways when they were young and naive, the experience became one of legends.

Now that they are older and wiser, they pack much lighter and take great care to not repeat their mistakes by always reading the fine print. But the Airbnb in Lecce, Italy bewitches them with its alluring image of a balcony ripe for cozy mornings with cappuccino or sunset aperitivos. They are not prepared for the 46 steep stone steps that hail them from the street. Nor are they comfortable with the spiral staircase from the living area to the bedroom, especially when their demanding bladders require them to awkwardly navigate the cold, twisting metal steps to answer early-hour bathroom calls.

What consequences will Judy face for repeating this deplorable situation? You can be sure as they continue to travel the globe, this incident will be in an easily accessible back pocket for Kevin to share with the world for a long time to come.