Arrival in Italy- 13 Days Ago

I am constantly taking photos with the

intent of doing some blog post.

Rarely does the blog post ever materialize.

There are just too many wonderful things to do

in life, and I can't usually sit still long enough to

devote hours to a post.

You fellow bloggers know what I mean.

It is a considerable commitment to post

consistently.

So, that said, I have been flat out on the couch,

in Italy for several days now with a nasty

cold. Thank god for wi-fi.

I wouldn't want to have to read a book or something.

Or start that art journal I have been meaning to do for

about 5 years now.

No, instead, I, like so many others, get lost in a cyber world,

so I am NOW catching up on at least a few of the posts that

I took pictures for since arriving in Europe 3 weeks ago.

That said,

Let's visit the arrival in Rome,

Leonard da Vinci Airport,

more commonly known here as Fiumicino.

My Berlin Air flight lands and

I thank the powers that

be for arriving safely.

I never understand when people complain about

a flight, regardless of how miserable it

might be with cramped leg room or that it takes

sooooooo long to arrive in Asia or India or whatever.

I mean come on, lets get a grip folks...

In my mind, it is first of all, amazing that we

can go hurling through the air in a metal canister, across the world,

and arrive somewhere else in a matter of hours.

Even if it is 24 hours, who cares?

How great is that that we get to do this?

And secondly, that we touch down

IN ONE PIECE

is a lot to be grateful for.

But enough of my ranting.

Back to the story...

As we hit the runway, the entire plane

of passengers simultaneously

whips out their cell phones, having been out of

communication with the world for 1 hour and 25 minutes.

It was as if this dance of emerging cell phones was

choreographed by some unseen director, no kidding.

And of course, I was right in there with everyone.

I text my beloved Italian friend from Cortona, Denys,

who has generously agreed to drive 2 hours to the

airport to pick me up.

What a pal.

I send her a message saying

"Sono arrivata"

(I have arrived)

As people are scrambling to get their luggage out of the

overhead, I hear my phone beep in my pocket.

Great, I think, I bet Denys is right outside.

I check the message.

It says:

"Ma arrivi domani!"

(But you arrive tomorrow!"

I think, she's joking with me...

I call her her up,

"Denys, dove sei?"

("Where are you!)

I am still thinking that she is just outside of

baggage.

She replys again and

MOST

INSISTANTLY,

"Stacey, ma arrivi DOMANI!!!!"

(You arrive TOMORROW!)

Then why am I standing in this plane, at Rome airport,

NOW, TODAY?

I really confused for a moment as the truth of the situation settled in,

Denys was not right outside at all.

I frantically search my mind,

"Did I tell her tomorrow?"

NO! Ah Ha! I remember that I sent her the airline

itinerary via email.

So I didn't goof this one up.

I remind her of that and she pauses,

and says,

Oh si, giusto,

"Mi dispiace, ma devo andare al funerale oggi..."

"Oh ok, you're right, I'm sorry.

But I have to go to a funeral today."

Well, I guess I'm taking the train.

Luckily, I sent more stuff from Berlin down

to Italy, just like last summer,

for a rerun of that experience,

see here.

I can't ever seem to go anywhere without hauling alot

of stuff around.

So now I am in no rush to be anywhere,

it's 11 am and I've been up since 5am,

so after I retrieve my 1 bag from baggage

claim, I head for the nearest bar, in desperate

need of a doppio espresso.

Ah, that's much better, I feel great now!

Ok, onward to Roma Termini, the central

train station in downtown Rome.

I get on the train and settle in for a nice 2 hour ride to Cortona.

Whoops, well, it turned out to be a 5 hour ride,

there were no direct trains for a few hours,

so I took a milk run train that changed trains along the way.

But still, I have settled in to the change of events

for the day,

I have the latest Carl Hiassen book

"Star Island", I'm all set...

Hours later, in that golden light of the day,

I approach that magical town of Cortona...

I'm home.