Well, what the members of Slow Travel always say about returning to Italy definitely holds true, and this afternoon, I will begin my sophomore journey not only to Italy, but on to London as well. Thank you to everyone who extended their expertise and advocacy during my snafus with both British Airways and American Airlines this past winter. More than likely, all that stress about Heathrow and lost baggage will fade away after I safely arrive in Rome and get on that train to Florence (crossing fingers, knocking wood, burning incense).
Cindy ~ "Follow your Bliss." Find where it is, and don't be afraid to follow it. ~ Joseph Campbell
Posts: 767 | Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA | Registered: 16 November 2005
Yes, Cindy, it all fades into "who cares, I'm in Italy" once you start the journey. Enjoy every minute and let us know how wonderful it was on the way or when you return.....
Originally posted by Panda: Have a wonderful time ! I shall aim good thoughts at Heathrow for you - wait, I've just turned my chair 180 degrees around and done it.
Panda, the connection at Heathrow went okay. But as usual, the flight out of Chicago was late leaving the gate by thirty minutes and I didn't arrive until 7:50 am at Heathrow instead of 7:10 as scheduled. I even got assigned to a bulkhead seat by the window, no passenger in between me and a very old woman who didn't speak to me, two gigantic gin and tonics, 4 hours of sleep, and absolutely no crying babies!
Then, due the he fact that they never completed that long haul switch from Terminal 4 to 5 yet, I had to rush to make my Rome connection which boarded at 9 am. I made it past security and found the correct gate with 13 minutes to spare. However, as it hapened to four other travelers on that same flight, my checked-in bag never made it to Rome! We had to wait until the next flight arrive after 4 pm to get the train into Termini instead of 12:30! Oh well, a late night snack of real Italian gelato in Firenze seemed to help ease the damage. By tomorrow, all of it this will fade.
And, you all would have been so proud of me! In true Slow Travel fashion, I assisted 3 travelers on the fact that it was "very" necessary that thay had to to go and get their train ticket stamped in the yellow boxes before boarding.
Cindy ~ "Follow your Bliss." Find where it is, and don't be afraid to follow it. ~ Joseph Campbell
Posts: 767 | Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA | Registered: 16 November 2005
Yay, Cindy! Glad to hear you arrived safe and sound. And how kind of you to help other travellers. I hope you have a fabulous trip (gelato in Florence, you're off to a great start!)
