Friday, April 2, 2010

We made it to Milan without a hitch

The morning started early. I couldn't sleep last night... too many things to think about. I am excited about seeing Caitie and missing the rest of the kids back home. Worried about missing connections.... etc. So, at 3:00 this morning Mike found me in the bathroom wide awake reading. I went to bed at 3:00 and slept until 6:15 when we both woke up, probably wakened by all the noises in the hallway. That was the start of a long day.

Getting off the ship was very quick and efficient although they sent us on a goose chase for awhile. The night before we were invited to wait for our departure call in a special Platinum and diamond lounge which we tried to find, but no amount of wondering around located it. When we finally found it it turned out to be an abandoned conference room with a plate of muffins and a jug of juice! Nevertheless, the departure happened on time, we boarded our bus on time, waited for one hour for everyone else to board the bus, then we took off for a four hour tour of Barcelona. What a great city! Easter weekend is a big holiday weekend here so the crowds were minimal, the weather was perfect and the city was beautiful. The Gaudi cathedral, which I loved so much on my last trip to Barcelona was just as spectacular today. We had a wonderful tour then were dropped off at the airport in time for our 3:00 flight to Milan. Also pleasant and uneventful.

Milan airport reminded us that things in Italy don't necessarily run efficiently. We selected an airport hotel so as to have an easy time of tucking in for the night. The Holiday Inn Express was supposed to have a shuttle running continuously between the hotel and the airport but it didn't show. Finally, a fellow waiting traveler, a World Airways pilot, called the hotel and they promised to rush over. Half an hour later they showed up and mysteriously two families full of children loaded into our van. We drove over to the hotel, two weary travelers and a pilot in the second row of seats and at least ten laughing little Italians in the back row of the van. Welcome of Italy!

Love, Deanne

2 comments:

DanaH said...

Happy to hear you made it to Milan safely. I can picture you guys in the shuttle with all the boisterous Italians...not a relaxing moment for weary travelers but amusing nonetheless.
Finally caught up reading your adventures and loving every moment. You are such a wonderful author, Dee!

baci e abbracci,
D

WanderingGypsies said...

Thanks Dana. I forgot to tell you that I tried your Brazilian drink... it is made with sugar cane liquor (but not Rum- something uniquely Brazilian), lime and sugar. Like a mojito without the mint. It tastes a little like a gin drink but after the first few strong sips your lips are numb and it goes down smoothly.