Our journey through Italy and Paris
| March 19, 2009 | Posted by Angela under My Travel Adventures |
Jason and I are taking a 2 week vacation to visit Rome, Paris, Milan, Venice and Florence respectively starting today. We take many extended weekend trips and our last long trip was our honeymoon which was a week long. Sometimes you say you will take a vacation but when you take your Blackberry and your computer, it’s hardly a vacation. Jason – for the first time – is without his computer and a working Blackberry. Our industry revolves around the Internet and the Internet never sleeps so it is rare that Jason ever takes a break. He might have some withdrawals but I think the beautiful surroundings will keep him distracted. I brought my computer purposely to blog and post photos for family and friends to get updates.
When you are traveling for leisure, you tend to stop and notice your surroundings. I know when I am traveling on business, I am so focused on getting from point A to point B and don’t notice anything in between. My next few posts will cover my general thoughts and our experiences over the next couple of weeks.
Currently, we are about 30 min from arriving in Rome. It’s already been an interesting journey and we aren’t even there yet.
We left San Antonio around 12:20pm. I was so excited that I packed only 2 suitcases! One checked and one carry on (I packed a bag within a bag for room when we returned). When we went to check the bag, it was 9lbs overweight and it would be $150 to get it through. So there we were reorganizing our bags – no fun. We got it working though but now we have 3 bags, ugh. One more thing to worry about when umping on flights and trains. Staying positive here.
While in line for our flight we saw 2 business guys escorting another guy in handcuffs. Jason says that sometimes they have to transport prisoners on passenger planes to get them to their origin location. Never saw that before.
There was also a another couple with their big dog in a cage ready to check. Wow, I could not imagine trying to take Sierra and Topaz on a flight.
We got to our gate in plenty of time. Our connection flight was in Chicago. I waved to Ma and Ca (my cousins) from O’hare.
On both flights, we had restless children sitting in front of us. This one lady had her newborn and her 2 year old who was super hyper. She through tantrums constantly until she was exhausted and finally crashed.
On our flight to Rome, we had another 2 year old in front of us. He was super cute and very friendly. However, when lights were off and we are all sleeping, he would randomly scream out. I couldn’t keep a consistent sleep. Oh well.
It’s got to be tough traveling with children.
So we are about to arrive in Rome, 8am Roman time. We are staying in a hip apartment/hotel in the Trastevere neighborhood which is similar to Greenwich village in NYC from what I have read. It’s non-touristy and full of people in our age group. Seems like our style, we will see soon!
Ugh. As I finished this post Jason looks over and says ” I have a feeling our bags won’t be there. “ Thanks Jason.
Speaking of lost bags. I remember when I studied in Spain about 6 years ago, my bags did get lost! I was arriving in Madrid and commuting to Seville to live for 5 months. I was traveling alone, going somewhere I had never been before and meeting people I had never met before. My bags didn’t arrive for 3 days and I had to borrow clothes from the girls that were rooming with me – never met them before. It was so embarrassing and uncomfortable. A memorable experience I suppose.
Jason, we have no friends or even strangers to borrow from. I hope our bags are there. Or I can go on a shopping spree! I am good at that 
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Have fun and be safe! I am excited to keep up with your blog while you’re vacationing. Ciao!
oh and forgot to say something else. My sister and her husband travel often with their 3 kids. Ages 9, 7, and 3 (and when they were younger too). And I am not being biased, we’ve been told by other passengers and flight attendants, but these kids are great travelers. Quiet and respectful, mind their own business. Even the little one. She started traveling before she turned a year old and she never cried. I really think it’s the parenting not the age of the kids. Just wanted to add that