I have safely arrived in Italy - but not without adventure along the way. You all know me and how I seem to attact chaos and am a bit accident prone=) The morning Thursday started out well, Rhiannon picked me up for the airport and we were even there early. I was subjected to search at security - which was loads of fun considering all of my carryon luggage. I remained pleasant and calm and was allowed to continue on my journey.
We traveled to Atlanta without incident and then it was a mad dash for our next flight, to Italy! Claire and I ran to our next gate, which thankfully we did because, for one, I had to go to the bathroom and for two, they had overbooked our flight and moved the departure up by 10 minutes. Now to most, 10 minutes would seem like no big deal, however, our flight from Birmingham landed at 3:15 and we were supposed to take off for Rome at 4:15pm. By the time we unloaded the plane and got over to our gate, we saw they had moved the flight departure up to 4:05pm and were already boarding! YIKES! Thankfully, we all made it on the plane. However, upon boarding, we proceeded to sit for 60 minutes waiting to depart the gate and be cleared for takeoff! And thus began my relationship with the airplane bathroom. I swear, my body knows if I am not supposed to have to go and then makes it a point that I have to go at least three times! We finally got into the air at like 5:15pm and were served dinner at around 6. not to shabby for an airline dinner to I might add. I took a benadryl from Claire in hopes of falling asleep so I would be well rested when we arrived in Rome at 8am =) My friends, benadryl did not work, and I did not sleep one lick on this 10 hour plus journey!!! I did however, watch Madagascar 2 as well as Last Chance Harvey - both good. The women behind Claire and I managed to talk the ENTIRE 10 hours we were on the plane. At one point, I believe it was around 3am (Italy time) one of the ladies was talking quite loudly about how she rarely wears brown shoes and I was trying to fall asleep while everyone else was sleeping. I said "Shoosh" very loudly but feel it had no effect on their conversation. I then tried to twist my body into a comfortable sleeping position but to no avail. I climbed over Claire at least three times to go to the restroom and spent most of my time flopping around trying to get my rear end to wake up as well as my hands....First class may be my best friend the next time I venture overseas.
Upon arrival to Italy I was dazed and confused. My luggage arrived without incident and I made it through Customs and exchanged American for Euros. We met with our group venturing to Casa Cares and from there, I wanted to sleep. I even went to the bathroom at the airport, to freshen up, and while I felt a little better, my eyes felt like sandpaper! Both Dr. Tyson and Rhiannon found this little traveling toothbrushes in the bathroom - "fuzzy brushes" - that looked like they were encased in superballs...apparently they were pretty gross but funny looking!
Our bus trip to Casa Cares from Rome was around 3.5 hours....and I still could not sleep! I began to take in the scenery and Italy, at least in Rome, looks a bit like California with the rolling hills and grape trees. It is beautiful. Our ride off the interstate was breathtaking through all of the little towns. Although a bit frightening - the bus driver was going pretty fast on these mountainous roads and would just honk the horn before going around a bend to let others know he was there...I felt we might tip off the side at times. But, we arrived, it this place is beautiful. There are mountains all around us, with tiny towns and monasteries. We unpacked and had our first meeting. I quickly showered, to wash the airplane off of me and ate dinner. Dinner was fabulous, too! I tried to call Steve with Claire's phone card, however, it was somehow activated in Russian, which was a bit amusing to myself and one of the volunteers here trying to help. We finally got through on another calling card, but much to my disappointment, Steve was not at his desk. (WAY TO GO STEVE). I soon crashed for the night and slept like a rock.
I am attaching a few pictures from my first day in Italy. I will hopefully post a few more tonight as long as the internet cooperates. For now! Ciao
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