Day 1 - The Arrival

12 hours in a tin can blazing across the sky at 550mph is something that can not be described - it can only be experienced. I've always said, though, that anyone can do anything for a day and, so, we blazed half way around the world last night.

It actually wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. Luckily, we were able to get "Premium Economy" seats which were right behind First Class and, in my opinion, would be considered First Class on any other carrier. Even though I brought a bunch of movies to play on my tablet, Alitalia offered plenty of movies choices on the little headrest screens so the time went much faster than I thought. We each got a couple hours of sleep and ate a bit. I do have to say that the food was completely underwhelming.

We arrived to Rome at about 12:30PM local time which was 4:30AM PDT. Overcast skies, about 72 degrees and a bit humid. Our friends, the Hill Family, arranged to have their driver, Leonardo, pick us up at the airport. Thank goodness we had a private driver because we were able to just sit in the back seat and watch the scenery change from industrial to run-down apartments and businesses to a smattering of antiquities to a full-blown assault on my historical senses. As Leonardo drove us through the teeny little roadways of "Old Rome" we spun our necks like owls chasing prey as we tried to look at everything.

Leonardo navigated us through the throngs of people and, as we came around a corner, there it was; The Pantheon! One of the oldest structures in the ancient city of Rome and our freaking hotel literally shares the Piazza with it! It was quite surrealistic as we exited the Mercedes into the crush of humanity and stepped on cobblestones that billions of footsteps have fallen upon.

The Hills were in the lobby of the hotel waiting for us with open arms!  What a wonderful greeting from truly gracious people! We said our pleasantries and then checked in at the hotel desk while our luggage was already being shuttled up to our room. Little did we know that our hotel room looks out upon the Piazza and the throngs of tourists. Kind of cool, if I do say so myself!

We've taken our nap and are ready to head out for an espresso before meeting the Hills for dinner at, supposedly, the restaurant that invented Fettucini Alfredo!  Can't wait!

Pictures to come!!  Follow this blog for our daily adventures here in Italy!  Ciao!