A what? Tales from Lipari.

I think it was on my second or third visit to Lipari when I went in search of the tourist office. It is a bit hidden and there is only a small sign on the wall to tell you that it is the right place. I went in and there was an old gentleman behind the bare counter. I said buongiorno and then asked for a map. ' A what?' He replied. 'A map.' I repeated.
'A map.' He said again as if I had asked for something otherworldly.
'Yes,' I said undeterred. ' A map.'
He shuffled through to the back office where there was obviously a colleague. I could hear them talking which was almost exactly the conversation that I had just had with him.
'She wants a map'
'A what?'
'A map'
This was followed by muttering and boxes being moved around and then he finally re appeared.
The map had been found and I felt lucky to have it!
I went in last week, for old times sake but there were maps out on the counter and no sign of the old man that had given me the map before.
I do hope that he is still there!