Good-bye Roma

April 30th, 2008 ( I am back dating for my own record)

Rome, Italy 

Pictures:  Three coins in a fountain (Trevi) and St. Peter's Basilica

Good:  We had a great last day here.  Maya, Rinda and I went on a sight seeing binge.  Kalin wisely chose to stay home.  St. Peter's Basilica, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps.  It was a lot to cram in, and a lot of fun.  St. Peter's was amazing and excessive at the same time.  We could see how such a creation might contribute to the Reformation.

Bad:  We do not have our tickets confirmed to LAX!!  When we got to Frankfurt, I left Rinda, Kalin and Maya at the terminal while I made my way to the Air India desk.  After I wandered away I realized that since I had their passports they would be unable to get to where we needed to go.  This might be a mistake.  Well, I'd just go fast.  Wow-what a big airport.  I had no idea they could be so big.  At the Air India desk they confirm we are set at United.  Hooray-this will be easy.  Uh, oh-United has no record of us.  And the flight is over sold.  By a lot!  Back to Air India.  "Oh, that cannot be.  They confirmed you are on the flight."  Back to United.  Well,  we will put you on stand by, but don't hold your breath."  Rush back to Kalin, Maya and Rinda.  but where did I leave them.  Wasn't it terminal A.  But there is no food court in 'A'.  Panic!! We are running out of time.  And we are on stand by.  We have to be there if they call our name.  Try to get help from security.  They are no help.  Dash back to terminal "B".  FInd them.  Dash back to terminal "A".  Wait in line at Gate 65.  Wait over here to see if we are called.  Say a prayer to the Goddess of the Air....Yes!  They called our name.  Hooray we made it.  Weird seats, not sitting together, but we are on our way to LA.  If you ever fly in Europe, it helps to know that flights between EU countries are 'domestic'.  That detail would have helped me to understand how they could be in the domestic terminal when we had flown in from Rome.

Surprising:  How amusing it can be looking for a wireless connection on the streets of Rome.  We were desperate to call our travel agent to get her to work on our flight to LAX.  Internet was down in our apartment-once again!  The internet cafe would not let us turn up the volume to use the skype that was loaded on their computer ( I nearly lost it!!!).  So we ended up wandering up and down the streets, looking for an unlocked network.  We finally found one, around the corner from an outdoor restaurant.  It must have been quite a sight-me yelling into

this very large 'cell phone'.   We took a picture to commemorate the moment (too bad it was on the other computer).  It was a great trip event-the low of my near temper tantrum at the internet cafe to our peels of laughter.