Italy as it Happened...Day 16

Italy as it Happened...Day 16

Thursday, April 25th

A funny thing happened to us on the way to the airport. Kerry and I figured out my cell phone alarm and as we planned, it went off, causing both of us to hit the floor running. We had enough time to shower, dress and eat and put the last of our things into our bags. We were now mobile and ready to go. As the apartment door closed behind us, we made our way down the stairs and quickly arrived at the nearby metro station. The metro starts running at 5:00 am and we were there by 5:15 am.

Just like our practice run a few days earlier, we arrived at the main metro terminal (Termini) and with a quick step driving us, we arrived at the train station, and the platform where we would catch our express train to the airport. It was almost 6:00 am and that was when our train would depart. We had a few minutes left to purchase the tickets and get them validated before boarding and relaxing for the brief 30 minute journey.

Of course, when it comes to trains, Kerry and I had this little black cloud following us. Here was what happened this time. We found a ticket machine and went through the entire data entry process (date, qty 2, from Termini to the International Airport, time of departure 6:00 am, payment method...) When we went to make the payment, this machine would only take credit cards or rail passes. We had calculated this phase of our vacation and planned on paying with cash. Euro's have no use to me at home so I had put aside 35 euros to pay for the train and now this machine was telling me I had to use a credit card. Right behind us Kerry noticed another machine, one that indicated it took cash. Great; we were using the wrong machine. I hit the cancel button and as I spun around to re-enter all of that data (date, qty, destination, etc) I could hear the overhead speakers announcing our trains approaching departure. We had to move quickly, and we did. Within a few minutes the tickets were in hand and my 35 euro's spent. The train was right there and as we ran to it I inserted the tickets into the validation machine. Done. Up and onto the train we go. Now, find a place to sit and we can relax. Finding a place to sit was easy...there was no one else on the train; no passengers, no employees, nobody. Kerry wondered if we were on the wrong train and as we walked forward, car after car, we saw nobody. We couldn't believe that we were the only ones heading for the airport. We weren't.

Sitting right across the platform from us was another train, with doors closed and people on board. Could it be? Kerry suggested that we make a run for it and so I grabbed the bag from Kerry so she could run easily and together we exited the train and crossed the platform while hearing the announcement, "Train number 712 is now departing for the International airport on track number 19." We were on an empty train on track number 20." "Opps!" Here we go again.

As we approached the train we noticed that all of the doors were closed. We had no choice, but to leap forward and push the "door open" button and see what happens. If the door does not open, then we would have missed the train by minutes. We would have to go and find a cab or some other means of transportation. I could hear the brakes being released. I thought we were toast. As I pushed the door button, the door latch and air release could be heard as the hydraulics activated the door and with a quiet swoosh, the door slid open. We jumped on board. We must have been very entertaining for everyone on board to watch. It was the "Rick N' Kerry Comedy Hour" and we were performing live.

As soon as we boarded another swoosh could be heard as the door slid closed behind us. The very moment the door was secured the train started moving. We bounced our way up ahead until we found a nice spot for the two of us to sit. Hopefully we were on the airport bound train. We weren't sure. A man sitting across from us looked up from his pile of paperwork and smiled as we asked, "Airport?" He said, "Yes." Now we could relax. We struck up a conversation with him and he was a wealth of information. He was a tour guide heading to the airport to meet a group he was going to tour around Italy with. When we told him about our mishap this morning and almost missing the train he said that there would probably be no conductor checking the tickets and so if we had to we could have just boarded. He added that if there was a conductor, we could have purchased the tickets directly from them. Good to know (for next time).

Just then, the conductor came by to punch the passenger tickets. As I handed mine to her I asked what would have happened if we didn't have time to purchase the tickets at the machine. She told me that she could have sold the tickets to us (just like our new friend said) but then she continued, "But you would also have to pay a penalty." I asked how much. She said that it would have been the price of the ticket plus an additional 50 euro's per person. Yikes, that would have cost us 135 euro's. Our new friend was drop-jawed. He learned something new about rail travel in Italy. We were told by various people we met during our trip that it was not a good idea of taking a chance in getting caught without a ticket...if you did get caught, it would be expensive. I guess they were right.

Kerry came up with a plan, one that would save us a little energy during the trip home. Once we arrived at the airport, we caught the shuttle to the international terminal. Kerry wanted to check our two carry on bags. Since the vacation was over, if the bags got lost, no big deal. We had no other luggage with us since we only travel with 2 carry on bags. I thought it was a good idea. 

As we checked in at the Delta/KLM counter I watched as our faithful bags disappeared on the conveyor, heading for that mysterious place where bags go. We were now, for the first time since we left Tucson, travelling bag free. For today at least, we didn't have to drag those carry on's around with us. So far so good. I think we had enough excitement for the day. We were hoping that everything else would go smoothly for us. Through security we went (with a total body scan---not sure what I think of that technology, but if it keeps crazy people off of my plane, then scan away; and enjoy the show).

Once we arrived at our departure gate I spent my last few euro's  (coins) on an espresso for Kerry, a decaf Americana for me and a few unique candy bars for the trip. Done. All of my euro's were now gone. The next time I would need money would be in the good old U.S. of A., and I had plenty of U.S. dollars on hand, if needed.

Our flight would be a direct one from Rome to Atlanta (11 1/2 hours), then after a 5 hour layover we would fly from Atlanta into Tucson. Once we boarded and found our seats, I immediately looked behind me, just to make sure there were no crazy ladies sitting there. A small person was sitting there and so I was glad to know that my reclining would not be an issue. During the entire flight the girl in front of me did not recline once. That gave me a very roomy area during this long flight. I was grateful for that.

I love the A.V. technology they have on these flights now. Every seat has their own T.V. and remote control. You can watch HBO or Showtime shows and movies, various regular channels and of course the in flight movie channel. This gave me a selection of dozens of movies or hundreds of other programs to watch during the trip home. There was even a channel where you could track the plane with statistical data being displayed (fuel consumption, distance flown, distance from destination, temps, speed, altitude, etc). I enjoyed it. It took 3 movies, 2 sitcoms, 3 meals and various snacks for us to touch down on American terra firma. God Bless America.

After checking through Atlanta's Customs and Immigration we found our way to the Tucson bound gate, parked ourselves on one of those dual seats with plug ins and started playing some computer games. We would take turns getting up and walking around, just to keep the blood circulating. We even phoned home when we were boarding our last flight, just to let them know we were on schedule. We were almost done, almost home.

Just after 8:30 pm on April 25th (16 days after we left for Europe) we touched down in Tucson. I was ready for this trip to end. Kerry agreed with me when I told her what I was looking forward to. I said I was looking forward to my own bed, my own pillows, my own house and of course my own dog (Rosie) as well. After being picked up at the airport and enduring that quick 30 minute drive home, my dreams (and Kerry's too) came true. It was finished. Our bed, pillows, dog and home were waiting. It was good. When I finally unpacked a couple of days later, I found 1/2 a dozen Italian candy bars in my bag. BONUS....yummy!

What did I learn from this Italian odyssey? Many things. Tomorrow I will make one last posting about our Italy vacation and will share with you my final thoughts and insights. Until then.