The King of the Toilets!

     On the same day we went to Alberobello, we would also stop at the town of Locorotondo.  This part of the day will be most memorable for sooo many reasons!

King of the Toilets

      At breakfast, Gigi and Fabio held our morning meeting to go over route information.  Even though I was not riding this day, I still paid attention - good thing I did!
      We would all be shuttled to Alberobello, and after our stay there, the others would ride on to the town of Locorotondo where Gigi and I would be waiting with a snack.  We would be at a local park that had a public W.C. for those who needed it.  Gigi told us that this W.C. was manned by a gentleman he called "Bapita", who was "King of the Toilets"!  He then explained that Bapita liked to play music while people were using the facilities, and that we had a choice.  He then asked us what we wanted to hear!  Everyone just looked at Gigi!  One of the choices was Frank Sinatra, so I called out "Sinatra!"  Later, and I was there, so I can attest to this, Gigi called to give our music choice.

       So, we finish with Alberobello, and Gigi and I head towards Locorotondo.  We get to the park, and start to set up. Bapita shows up and greats Gigi.  Gigi introduces us.  Speaking in Italian, Bapita showed me where the nearest gelato shop was, and escorted me over, stating in Italian to the proprietress, the company I was traveling with and to take care of us when we came in for gelato.  I went exploring the neighborhood to take pictures.

 Soon, however, I needed that W.C.  I headed for it, not knowing that Bapita was right behind me!  Sounds creepy, I know.  He tapped me on the shoulder, I let out a scream and jumped my entire height!  Poor man!  He was more frightened than I was!  Out came a stream of apologies in Italian, then he opened the door for me to the toilet.  The place was immaculate!  Soon, strains of Frank Sinatra singing "Let's Fly Away" could be heard! Wow!
      So, I complete my visit, and Bapita has papers in various languages explaining who he is.  He must have thought I was German, because the paper he handed me was in German, which I can read.  I burst out laughing as I read (in German) that he was the self-appointed king of the toilets. Literally, that was what it said in German.  He then realized his mistake, and tried to give me a paper in English.  I told him "Io parla Tedesco" (I speak German.)  But, he gave me an English version anyway.  I tried to photograph it, but it doesn't show here very well.  So, I will type, verbatim what the English version says:

     5 stars public Toilets
          Mister Giuseppe Corbascio takes care of the 5 stars public Toilets in Locorotondo.  He has got also guides in German language - Deuceland (so written).  All buses stop there.  In France he is known as "Mister Le Pepe"; in Germany Der Spiegel has written an article about him: "When the Americans arrive, do you know what I do? - he tells me smiling with his eyes closed - I put Frank Sinatra (Let's Fly away) and they throw themselves on the floor laughing without going to pee anymore.  You have to write like this: in Locorotondo a 5 stars public Toilets!"

The only change I made here was to put Der Spiegel in italics.
       Bapita must have really felt bad for frightening me as he came back later with a guide book in Italian all about Locorotondo, with his autograph!  I will be keeping that book to practice my Italian! No one was able to explain how Bapita got this job, if he is paid for it, or if he is just being helpful to tourists.  However, he will always be my favorite Italian!  Take that Sinatra!


 Me and Giuseppe "Bapita" Corbascio - King of the Locorotondo 5-Star Toilets!