Wednesday, September 16, 2009

The Ape and the Palm Tree

Improvised pit stop, Piaggio Ape, LivornoImprovised pit stop in “Via delle Sorgenti” (Springs Street) for this resourceful “Ape” driver: he pushed the car up on a side and stuck a piece of wood there, to keep it up. Not so safe, but workable...Palm tree, drenchedgrass, LivornoNo more time to sit in the shadow of a palm tree, the grass is drenched and there is no more sun to worry about.

22 comments:

stromsjo said...

Whoa - wait a minute! I don't remember seeing that method in the instruction manual. Hopefully an elevating experience, all the while.

Lowell said...

That car doesn't look very big, so it must be relatively easy to push up and brace it with a piece of wood...still, it could hurt if it fell on him.

I hate flat tires!

Have you not been desperately in need of some rain? And cooler weather?

Maybe not as much as you got, though...

Andreea said...

The car doesn't look very heavy but still I think he's taking a chance to get hurt there.

James said...

Great title and what an interesting vehicle. Oh and I love that short but full palm tree.

Debbie Courson Smith said...

An ape is a car and the drenched grass is brown? A lot to think about here...

Kate said...

The method used to hold the car looks pretty dangerous.

Leif Hagen said...

I'm sorry but I wouldn't be any help at all! Unless he'd appreciate my funny sense of humor while he worked?

Tash said...

For a moment I thought you were calling the driver an strong primate. Funny scenes... that's a bit of a swamp under the palm.

Julie said...

I love those three wheel delivery vans that are scattered all over Italy. I guess they help to get through the skinny alleyways.

Tinsie said...

Christmas is round the corner (sorry couldn't resist)!

VP said...

@ Leif - I took the picture and got away quickly: he had that piece of wood at hand...
@ Tash - You're right, not much green grass left there after a dry summer.
@ Julie - The 'Apes' are cheap and are a preciuos help for many self-employed workers.

Mo said...

Yikes hope that vehicle doesn't fall. Don't things look different when it rains

Baruch said...

Goodness, rather risky holding the vehicle up with a piece of wood - definitely a big no-no here in NZ.

Nori Katayama said...

It looks bit dangerous, but bit funny.
By the way, I found my car in your photo!
My Honda "Fit" was just left in it!

Hilda said...

That's one big advantage to tiny vehicles!

Sorry to hear about the end of your summer, but at least now everything will turn beautifully green again. That's what I've been telling myself the past four months!

Love the palm tree!

Cezar and Léia said...

Are you sure it was a car? LOL It looks like a toy! I think it is not heavy, I hope so! :)
It's so sad that summer is going away :(
Here we don't have much more sun during the week as well!
Léia ;)

Unknown said...

Fantastic title, VP! :-)))

Halcyon said...

I like the ingenuity of the ape driver. Sorry for the rain. :(

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

Scary way to change a tire, but yes, resourceful!!! AND DAMP!!

Benikos place said...

Unbelieveble!!!good shot!

tapirgal said...

The general misconception is that drivers in Italy don't care much about being safe - they drive so fast. But I have to say that Lee and I thought the drivers in Italy must really be the best in the world. Going along the Amalfi Coast and then down to Sicily and back in a small car, we saw amost no wrecks at all. I wouldn't have wanted to drive fast in those places myself. (Lee did a great job, too, or we wouldn't be here to tell about it!) Great funny comments on "Work is Our Joy." And now, my Italian palm trees are going to be wet for the next seven months?

Ellie said...

Now this is why my father refused to buy a car whole his life. He said - I don't want to spent my weekend under a car :) Although the modern cars usually have brain problems, not greasy mechanical failures like the one this poor guy is dealing with.