The MLA Mediterranean cruise begins...

My newest adventure began on Thursday evening as I finished packing my suitcases.  Jim had found a new type of very light suitcase which we purchased at AAA, so I had less worries about over weight for my one checked bag.  A second carry-on and a small squarish case for electronic gear, plus my CPAP and some magazines to read while airport waiting, and I was ready.  Jim had already left with friends for his 'male-bonding' weekend in Dayton, Ohio with 30,000 of his closest ham radio enthusiasts.   He will return on Sunday evening.

Friday morning came early as my excitement woke me before I had planned to get up.  I was ready for my good friend Joie when she arrived at 11 am to take me to the airport.  I was flying a commuter plane to Philadelphia to connect with friends and the non-stop flight to Rome.  I did not realize that those gates are in a portion of the airport with very little in the way of comforts or services.  Had I known, I would have picked up some lunch to take with me on the rest of the trek.  So I stayed where I waited - with no additional food except for breakfast at home - until we reached Philadelphia.  Two new friends (Audrey and Dana) were on the flight with me, so we walked together, again to the far reaches of this airport, using their shuttle bus to get between terminals.  Once we reached our gate - at the very end of the terminal (this is becoming a theme), my first goal was food.  There were choices and I ended up with a great meal at a Bistro.

Boarding was very organized and the plane left absolutely on time.  I thought I might watch a movie so I purchased some ear phones, which are still in their original bag, as I was soon asleep, and not only missed dinner but also did not see a single movie.  I woke about 2 hours before we were to land, had a snack of crackers, some cheese, and cantalope from the galley. 

We landed in rain, went through passport control (where no passport received an Italian stamp), collected our baggage and went through customs - using the door marked 'nothing to declare - again with no one even being interested in us.  Most of the group have traveled before and we all were amazed, and a little disappointed, not to receive an Italian stamp in our passports.

Our driver was waiting for us near the airport exit, loaded all our luggage, and the 9 of us set off to our hotel.  We are within walking distance of Vatican City, and can see the wall that surrounds the country.  We drove along it for a while, watching huge lines of people waiting to enter to see the Sistine Chapel and museums.  We have tickets to enter Monday morning which are supposed to eliminate our needing to stand in those lines.

Our rooms were not ready when we arrived, but breakfast was still being served so we went to the basement and had a lovely light meal.  We waited in the lobby, most of us dozing, until our rooms became available.  I'm currently rooming with June and Arlene, at least until tomorrow when Margaret will arrive from Naples where she has been visiting her son and family.  Then June and Arlene will get their 2-person room and I'll begin rooming with Margaret who is also my roommate on the cruise.

We spoke with a family who were leaving the hotel about a place for dinner - Bergeliere.  All 9 of us went and had a great meal of antipasti of crosseti with tomatoes, roasted pepper, proccuito, mozzarella, olives, crisp flatbread, eggplant, small meatballs, wine,and crusty bread - enough for a meal by itself.  Then we ordered our main course - some had lasagna, veal, beef with porcini, pizza, spaghetti pomodoro with basil (my choice), and other pasta.  We finished with very small and tasty cookies like biscotti, but something else which starts with a 't'.

It took me until just before dinner to find an ATM to get some euros, after having received directions for two other banks which apparently were not where I thought I was supposed to go.  The hotel loans umbrellas, very handy in the heavy rain this afternoon and evening.  June and Arlene both purchased new jackets because the weather is very cool.  According to the local weather, we are supposed to have only light rain tomorrow and sun on Monday.

Our plan for tomorrow is to ride a 'circulating' bus which stops at most of the popular tourist sites.  It's an on-and-off with buses coming every 15-20 minutes.  Tickets are good for 2 days, so we can get back on Monday after we complete the Vatican.   We should hit the highlights of Rome since we only have a couple of days.

Time for sleep - this has been a really long day!