Italy - The Flight Home~

Up early, breakfast was included with our room.  With plenty to choose from, neither of us was really hungry yet.  We were catching the earliest shuttle we could.  We wanted plenty of time to check on the status of our seats & clear customs.  We'd been notified our flight was running well over an hour behind schedule.

Once we reached the Delta booth, I again asked for upgraded tickets.  We were there most of an hour, so it worked out well that the flight had been delayed.  A supervisor was called over.  We were upgraded to the second row behind first class - preferred seating - with more leg room!  It was worth every minute of time at the desk!

The line at customs was long, but they were speedy & we were through with enough time to have lunch before going to our gate.

Details~

Boarding the jet, even at the door, I recognized this as a very nice aircraft.  Easily the largest I've flown in, we soon found our seats.  The few extra inches of space make such a difference in passenger comfort.  I found a water bottle on my seat & handed it to the Steward behind me.  He apologized & explained they had been diverted to pick us, up on very short notice.  The plane we'd been scheduled to take had mechanical issues.  My prayers had been answered.

More information~

With large monitors on the seat backs in front of us, I scrolled through the menu.  (The page on the details of the flight, speed & air temperature, elevation, mileage to our destination, were fun to check during the flight.)

Where we'd been~

Once we were in the air, I discovered the air vent above me needed to be adjusted.  The ceiling was so high - I couldn't reach it - without taking my shoes off & standing on my seat!  Even then, I had to really stretch to turn it.  I'd just finished when one of the crew came by & asked me with a big smile - if I'd accomplished my mission. :-)

Where the airport was in relation to the city~

Courtney was determined to stay awake the entire flight.  I decided to watch a movie & Braveheart was the longest one I could find.  We were offered bottled water shortly after take-off.  Snacks next  & dinner followed.  Finally, ice cream!  I don't think anyone turned it down.  I lost count of the times we were offered either refreshment or food!

On our way!

After dinner, I continued my movie.  Walking to the back of the plane to visit the lavatory - I'd just exited when the same crew member saw me.  She asked if I was trying to get in my steps for the day?  I looked as puzzled as I felt.  She pointed out the facilities mid-way down the length of the plane.  I hadn't even seen the sign.  :-)  

As badly as I wanted a window seat, none were available & I'm not complaining!  But on the entire plane, there was only one row where the window blind was open.  Not one single other passenger on the entire plane had their window blind open!  Why oh why - take a window seat & not enjoy the views?  

When we disembarked in Atlanta, I was feeling pretty decent.  We were still behind schedule for our connecting flight to Omaha.  The minute we were off the plane - airport personnel holding signs directed our every step.  Talk about efficient!  The line at customs was long, but moved fast.  I had my second retinal scan.  Courtney was behind me.  The custom's officer was going to detain her.  The scan didn't match the one taken on our way out.  We were told the technology was brand new.  Courtney explained she was accompanying me & was allowed through.  Later, she realized she wasn't wearing her contacts & had been before.

We made it to our gate to leave for Omaha with a few minutes to spare.  As I boarded that plane, I knew it wouldn't be a pleasant trip.  The door seal looked ancient, the jet was tiny & packed with seats.  We were in row 20 something, over the wing.  I ended up in the only seat on the jet that didn't recline.  But!  I had a window!

Leaving Atlanta~

I felt sorry for this crew.  I don't know how they manage to keep their professionalism.  Difficult when working with so many passengers, in such a cramped, confined space.  The carts hardly fit down the aisle.

Evening views~

As afternoon turned to dusk, the lights came on in the cities below.  At least this direction, we'd be gaining time!

I focused on the earth passing by beneath us.  A less than 3-hour flight should feel like nothing after the hours we'd been traveling this day.  No monitors on this old craft.  The small boy in the seat in front of me, had his seat fully reclined, though he was seldom in it.  

A last view~

 I was thrilled to see the lights of Omaha come into view!  It was dark, but oh how sweet those lights of home, looked.  The captain made an announcement, military personnel were on the plane & asked everyone to remain seated until they could disembark.  The passengers applauded & politely stayed seated.

  

Once we were cleared to exit, Courtney & I grabbed our bags & were out the door!  As we passed security, we could see a very large crowd on both sides of the now cordoned hallway, through the airport.  We had no choice but to take that path & it was a little embarrassing.  Everyone was obviously there to welcome home the military who had exited the plane ahead of us.  I heard Butch's voice & suddenly there he was, making his was through the throng of people!  He led, we followed - ushering us to the Bronco, his hug felt so good!  How he'd found parking at all, I don't know.  Courtney had stayed awake our entire time 14+ hours in the air.  Once we were home, she was off to bed!  I don't remember my head hitting the pillow! 

The next day, we returned to Eppley.  Courtney had one more flight to make - home to Seattle.  It seemed so strange to see her leave without me :-(   Many thanks to my husband, our son-in-law, our grandkids (who were without their Mom for a couple weeks.) & most of all - our daughter for including me!

We both loved the adventure & neither of us will ever forget our time in Italy~  

Italy - The Passport Challenge~

Note:  Throughout this blog, highlighted text will take you to further information.

It was a trip that almost didn't happen for me - twice!  Daughter Courtney had invited me to accompany her, on a vacation to Italy late last year.  She was going with a small group of people from the Northwest Art Center in her hometown of Duvall, WA.  The plan was to stay a week at a 500-year old villa in Tuscany.

Flying has always been so difficult for me, my motion sickness, along with claustrophobia makes me pause to even fly back to WA.  But, it was a chance-in-a-lifetime & I decided that I just needed to Cowgirl Up & go!  What I didn't count on, was my partial vision loss the end of April.  That was so disorienting & difficult to deal with that I decided it was best I stay home.

After physical therapy & time to adapt, I was getting around better & had already paid the funds for the trip that were non-refundable.  Our son-in-law made the flight & accommodation arrangements.  Courtney flew in a day ahead of our scheduled departure.  She was checking us in on-line, when she called me into the office & said;  "Mom, your passport is expired!"  No!  I'd kept both Butch & mine in the same place, had opened the one on top a couple months ago & it expired in 2019.  I was certain that we'd gotten them at the same time - but I was wrong.  Mine was due to expire in three days...

I was packed & I was so sad that I would now, not be able to go.  Thursday morning, Courtney told me to bring my bag anyway.  I would walk her to the check-in & there we'd explain our dilemma  to Delta.  The lady at the counter was so helpful, but explained that nothing could be done.  She could see no way that I could leave the country.  She did say she would check with her supervisor & called him over.  That gentleman, listened to our story & started typing on his keyboard.  Within minutes he explained that a passport office was within blocks of many of the major hotels in Atlanta.  He further explained that I could obtain an expedited passport in just a few hours.  He changed our reservations for a layover & managed to find us seats on a fully booked flight out from Atlanta, late afternoon on the following day!  We were on our way!

Over the Missouri~

Courtney was on the phone to David & he made calls to find us a room reservation in Atlanta.

Blue views~

The plane was jam packed, but Courtney & I had plenty of catching up to do.  We'd been in the air a while - when the crew made an announcement that we were going a little north. We were running into some turbulence from the hurricane.

Hurricane Clouds~

By the time we'd landed, we had a room at the downtown Hyatt, within walking distance of the passport office.  We planned to be there when they opened at 8 a.m.  One of the busiest airports in the nation, we still got through security in record time.  Courtney called Uber for a ride.  We settled into a very clean, comfortable room, before walking a few blocks to Max Lagers for a late dinner.  I was actually relieved to have the night to recover, before facing the long flight overseas.

Belle~

We were up early & walking downtown.  It was a very busy city.  We found the building & took the elevator to the fourth floor.  I was one of the first people there.  With my passport still not expired, my birth certificate & correct forms filled out - I was told to return at 1 p.m.

Hard Rock Café~

We walked back to the hotel & had breakfast while we waited.  Courtney had planned for us to spend two nights in Venice before going on south to the Villa.  Now, because of my error, we would miss the first night :-(

Carnegie 

Walking back to the passport office at 12:30, I had my new passport in 5 min.  With a couple hours to spare, Courtney again called Uber & we took a short ride out to a shopping mall for lunch.  It was a beautiful sunny day, but very hot & muggy.

At the Mall~

Soon, we were back on our way to Hartsfield-Jackson International.  I had the unpleasant experience of my first full body scan.  I had cards for both my new implant & the old repair to my right femur, but neither were asked for.  We had just enough time to find the gate for our 4:53 flight!  

The plane was an old one & so packed with people that I couldn't believe it.  No room in the seats at all & the seat itself was rock hard.  Both our seats were in the center, Courtney gave me the aisle, but to say it was the most miserable 9.5 hours I've spent in a long time would be an understatement.  Finally, I tried to sleep.  A landing couldn't come fast enough!