Day 2/3: Two travel days end with a reward
Andiamo!
I’m up early, enjoying my morning. The list of things to do before we go will take six additional hours. From feeding and watering my plants, filling the bird feeders, finishing a branding gallery for delivery, final touches on packing, stripping beds and cleaning a bit so that when we return everything is nice, loving on kitties, flight crew gifts ready, chicken salad sandwiches just in case. . . and enjoying my coffee on my porch. By noon, we’ll be ready to depart and then the fun begins.
We begin with a long ride to Atlanta. We are three hours PLUS from the airport, and this is our major detractor from flying, but yet not enough to keep us from going. Getting TO Atlanta and getting settled is the worst part of every adventure. When we lived in Athens, we had an amazing transport company that would pick us up at our home, deliver us the departures front door, and then do the same upon return. It was affordable and easy. We don’t have that here. We found out that there is one shuttle company located near us in Western North Carolina (Always On Time Shuttle Service) but for this trip, we decided to drive and park long-term (Peachy). No need for overnight stay with our usual Park, Sleep, Fly reservation since our flights depart late and return early. If you’re flying international, make sure you book a service that will shuttle you to the international terminal rather than domestic. Most only drop off at the domestic terminal.
We’re flying Delta - as always. Keeping the trip as affordable as possible, it’s Delta Main this trip and since we’re flying at 7 p.m. After dinner is served, we’re crashing. Arrival in Rome should be at 10 a.m. in the morning.
**We got an upgrade but declined since both seats were in the middle of a FOUR row. BACK to Main Cabin we go. ** Have the meals on airplane gotten worse? Probably the worst meal and service I’ve ever had on a Delta flight, a very full Delta flight.
Thus far, we’re five hours into our journey and I’ve
I’ve spent $1,000 for 600 euros (exchange rate is horrible)
Our shuttle driver tried to kill us trying to catch the previous passenger who left her CPap on the shuttle. Even though we were going 80 mph through the lot, I applaud him for saving her lots of grief. They should all be that attentive and courteous. I’ll forgive this one.
I do not like my new backpack (Poppy & Peonies) Sometimes too much of a good thing is TOO much. The Nomad backpack holds lots but then you have to juggle it on your back and on the carry-on. I’m not inclined to use it again. Trial and error is the only way you know if luggage works for you.
I lost my hat. Someone is the new owner of a great hat.
We board at 6:10 p.m. We fly at 7:10 p.m. I’m ready to zone out.
Someone is the proud owner of a really great hat.
Arrival in Rome was uneventful, a good thing. There seemed to more Americans in the terminal than Italians. The crowds reminded me of why I love to travel during the shoulder or off season.
The new EES security system (entry/exit system) terminals were there; some working, some not. The line was long. It snaps your photo, records your fingerprints and sends you on your way. ONLY, my photo captured (after 6 attempts) ; my fingerprints did not, so we were routed to the manual custom line. The plus side, I got a stamp in my passport. This program is in its infancy with lots of kinks to work out.
Flying Ryan Air from Rome to Palermo is always an education in patience and paying attention. A full flight with lots of perfume and candy to purchase.
In Palermo, we called RecordGo, our car rental service (Spain, Portugal, Greece and Italy only), for pick-up. With lots of reservation confusion (not us but the half-dozen screaming women beside the van believing this was their van), we finally loaded into the van for transport to the off-airport site (most rental car companies are like this in Palermo). One great looking Sicilian man plus me tossing through my entire back-pack to find the International Driving Permit later, we were off in our manual SUV.
The drive to Castellammare del Golfo is scenic and short. We arrive in the small town with the even smaller streets and the non-existent road signs searching for our Airbnb. Having circled the block three times, we finally waved down our host, found a short-term parking spot to unload and then drove half-mile to the parking garage. We were home.
We walked back to the apartment. Arrived at 6:00 p.m. In the bed by 6:30 p.m. By the time we wake, it will be Tuesday.
Arriving in Palermo, we enjoy the rewards of our travel - a view of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
