Distress at Grillfest

by Mark Ramos 

Life in the piazza in Cagli, Italy is full of excitement. People have come from the neighboring villages for Grillfest. There are people young and old that are walking, talking, sitting, and eating all sorts of food. The thousand or so people in the piazza are having a fabulous time listening to music and visiting with family and friends. 

The atmosphere is filled with the smoky aroma of good food, and the cheerful spirits of the people. What was a surreal time in the piazza suddenly turned to chaos for a family sitting at the next table from where I sat with Ashley, and our new friends from Cagli that we are going to feature in our interviews. I interrupt our conversation with them when I say that the woman at the other table is choking. Without hesitating Ashley instinctively rushed to help the man whom was pounding on the woman’s back. I could see the alarm on the four other people who were watching on as the man positioned himself behind the woman and began the abdominal thrust.  Thankfully, he was able to dislodge the item that was chocking her. 

I can not help but to sound dramatic but for those minutes of distress I captured humanity in action. Despite the language barrier, Ashley rushed to the aid of a fellow human being without hesitation. If I had a picture of the moment it would show Ashley with her arm around the man’s waist standing next to him while he was saving the woman. Great job Ashley. Hu cha.