Travel Days Have Begun – Days 1-3

Three days into my journey, I wanted to catch up with you. It’s been interesting. 

First day challenge – boarding in Newark at 6:00 pm – scheduled to leave at 7:00. All went well, settled in my seat, met my seat mate, shoes off, slippers on, exhaling, and finally relaxing to settle in for the night.

Hmmm. It is now 7:20. Pilot informs us of slight delay while they call maintenance to check a light for the fuel lines.     

8:00 – we can choose to get off plane and wait in gate area but have to take all our carryon luggage if we do. I choose to wait – you know – the whole putting my shoes on again, charger, book, wrap – packing all that up – I’m good to wait.

9:00 – still waiting

10:00 – we are asked to leave plane with all our belongings. 

11:00 – update – still waiting as they are now bringing in a new plane but there is a potential time problem now with the crew going over their hours.

11:30 – additional crew added, time to board new plane.

12:00 am the next day – boarded and settled in again.

1:00 or somewhere in the vicinity of – we take off. Six hours delayed.

Funny thing about plans are how we can count on them to change. My friend and I flew two different flights. We were scheduled to land five minutes apart – her from Philadelphia and me from Newark.

I had texted her when I had new arrival time, letting her know I would meet her at hotel. 

I got a water taxi, gave him the address of my hotel and once he dropped me off, entered the maze (there is no other way to describe the streets of Venice) and promptly got lost. I was pointed toward the bridge over the canal and headed that way. My large bag was quite the challenge to climb the stairs with and I was grateful when a young man offered to help me up and he even carried it down the other side for me. 

I was still searching for the hotel.

At the end of yet another alley, I paused, about to text my friend when I looked up and there she was coming across the piazza toward me. I might have cried a happy tear or two. Did I mention it was 98 degrees and I was drenched from sweat? Whew. 

We settled in and headed out to roam the streets – always a favorite adventure for me. 

Our destination for day two was Murano, the island world famous for their glass blowing. I had been there fifteen years ago and couldn’t wait to get back. 

We weren’t allowed to take pictures in any of the galleries. I purchased one piece to commemorate our time there and can’t wait for it to arrive home. 

We returned again via water taxi, ate a simple meal for dinner and headed to our room. 

Jet lag is real my friends. 

I’ve learned to let my body be the boss as much as I can. I often take a nap. I often wake up in the middle of the night and I find in three days, I have regained a sense of balance in my sleep rhythms. For this reason, as much as is possible, I like to arrive in my destination at least  two days in advance. 

The next morning our alarm went off at 5 am. We had reservations for a water taxi to pick up us and we were off to the train station, heading to Florence for the day. We met our guide at the appointed place and headed out for a four hour walking tour of the city. The first stop was the center of the city at the “Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower”. 

Construction of the church was begun in 1296 and completed in 1436. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The facade is marble panels in various colors. It is breath taking. 

 

As the guide explained to us Michelangelo’s vision in creating this statue rising sixteen feet in height, I wanted to weep. David was a young boy when he faced Goliath. I love the stones in his hand and the sling hanging over his shoulder. The world portrays Goliath as the giant but Michelangelo portrays David as the giant in the story God wrote. We falsely believe we face giants when in fact, as God’s children, it is we who are the giants because He lives in us.

I will alway remember this.

As we left the museum, me still in deep connection in my heart, my stomach reminded me of its presence. I asked our guide if we could eat. He smiled. Just around the corner, we entered a small place and were greeted warmly by the owner, a friend of our guide. 

He also prepared a side of fresh pasta for us perfectly seasoned with sage, salt and butter.

Lunch prepared by the chef, Gianni. Ristorante Accademia Firenze in Florence. Go there! Follow him on Instagram too.

We finished up our tour with a cappuccino and gelato, headed back to the train and our return to Venice. 

 

Our day ended as we packed up and prepared to leave for our cruise the next day. Stay tuned.