Homeward Bound
Charlie & Chris in Florence
Our “buddies” shared a taxi with us to Fiumicino Airport after we were roused out of bed by a wake-up call at the unnatural hour of 2:30 a.m. (which was 8:30 p.m. Central Time the evening before). After some confusion about which terminal was ours, we dutifully checked-in, passed through security and waited for our flight to Amsterdam at 6:15 a.m., apparently the first departure of the day from Rome. Though there was not much to see, it was exciting to watch the Alps transformed below us by the rising sun. After another wait at Schiphol, we flew to Minneapolis, before going our separate ways home. I reached our house and fell into bed exactly twenty-four hours after I had awakened.
I will always treasure this opportunity to travel as father-and-son, and to see and experience the three great cities of Italy, with a few extra special places thrown in for good measure.
All our best to our fellow travel partners and tour-mates, to Alfio for his leadership, to Rick Steves' organization and their "philosophy of travel," and to the people of Italy who know how to live la dulce vita. Caio!
Oh . . . don't forget to send a postcard!