Our Trip to Italy

It's September 5, 2013, and we're off to Rome! 

Well, okay, it's October 5. But think back one month and join us on the journey.

We're headed to LAX (Los Angeles Airport, not the Land of Laxatives) via SuperShuttle. Our flight takes off at 3:15 p.m., it says on our ticket. We're flying on Alitalia, and the flight will take 12 hours. TWELVE HOURS?! OMG! I've never been on a flight that long!

Our destination is Rome's Fiumicino (Leonardo Da Vinci) Airport.

A week ago I bought the luggage that would fit the carry-on specifications. Initially I bought American Tourister's standard carry-on with wheels. Then I checked the dimensions allowed by Alitalia. Sorry, too big!

So I bought their smallest suitcases with wheels, which they promoted as "ideal for that 2-to-3-day business trip." Huh? We would have to fit two weeks' worth of clothing in these tiny bags?

We did. With a tiny bit of room to spare.

Our under-the-seat carry-ons were the camera bag for Ross, and my smaller camera case that contained all my necessary medications. "Take this which counteracts that; but you need to take this other stuff to counteract that first stuff, and drink this stuff three times a day, so you can sleep (IF you also take this stuff)."

Ticket vouchers... check. Money... check. Passports... check.

I applied for my passport 0n June 26 at a Burbank Post Office. I brought the necessary documents, filled out the necessary forms and turned them in. I should get my passport in 5 to 6 weeks. 

Seven weeks pass. Then eight. Where is my passport? 

I get a letter. I needed to supply them with a whole bunch of other stuff going back at least 5 years showing them that I am really me. Yes, I had a passport in 1965, but it was long gone.  Did they think I might be a terrorist? Did my political commentaries and cartoons put me in jeopardy?

DAMN! We leave in ten days! Where is my passport?

It finally arrives. It's real, with that ugly photo of me (the passport photog said do not smile... okay... click. NEXT...).

We go through TSA and pass. We have time for lunch, a little time to relax. 

Then it's boarding time. What a long plane! 40 rows of seats! We have an aisle and middle seat on the right (starboard) side, with an excellent view of the wing.

Up we go, into the wild blue yonder...