Day 1 - Traveling

Scaling the slanty wall was fortunately impossible.
But the girls looked out at the Airplanes anyway while we waited.

See how much we love waiting in the airport! We're so energized!

***
It sort of feels like I poured sand in my eyeballs, but other than that I’m feeling great! (I guess that’s how 6 hours of time change and an all-nighter feel) I am very happy to report that the traveling went beautifully for everyone. I admit I was a little worried about how it would turn out but we really couldn’t have asked for a much better run!

Pics from the Pontifical North American College...
not all completely relative to this post :)

The first flight we hardly had to use our bag of goodies because each seat had an individual touch screen.  While waiting to take off we decided that we would like to try to hold off on all entertainment for the evening. But as a whole 5 minutes passed, we completely forgot about that resolution and started clicking away. Ok, it wasn’t that quick but it kind of felt like it.  Emma eventually watched most of Rio and I sort of watched something about an art curator getting revenge. Colin Firth and Cameron Diaz, what can I say? Stella was happily poking the screens and making eyes at passengers in her charming way.

Anyway, the kids took a little nap on the first flight, enough to give them 500 times more energy than us. Our layover was quick and painless, just enough time to grab some fruit and pastries and get on the “Knee-Slammer 6000.” No screens, pillows, blankets, or leg room, but it got the job done. Our first flight was 20 minutes shy of 6 hours and the second, only 3  hours. Although by that time, my legs were really starting to hurt, especially since the guy in front of me was fully reclined. To cross my legs or simply bring my leg in front of me I shook his chair enough to make him repeatedly turn around but I didn’t really care. I was too exhausted.  I really had to lift my chin high to open my eyes on this flight. The girls were a bit messier too, but I realized that I was too tired to get stressed out about any crying either.

When we got off the flight the girls and I sat and waited for Leon to get the baggage. Emma was a slobbering mess about this because she reeeeeaaalllly wanted  daddy. It was fun being stared at by everyone walking by…”What’s with that kid?” And we forgot to change her diaper in the plane so she was sitting in a puddle of her own mess with drenched pants that left a nice big spot on the front of his shirt. “Oh, hello new boss! Don’t mind the urine on my shirt! We usually are hygienic!” It wasn’t that bad. But we did eventually  find the “lost” backpack that was in a different location that they had told us to pick it up at, find Fr. Belsole, the driver and our way to our new home.

The apartment brought a few happy tears to my eyes, maybe from relief that it was a lot cuter than the pictures. Maybe just the emotionality of having a “home” in Rome.  I think I still feel like we’ve gone back to college or are just on vacation…completely outside of our actual college or vacation experience.

One thing I am a little disappointed in is just that it’s not as furnished as they said it was. It’s not really a problem, but I might have been able to bring a few things to make it more cozy or at least be prepared with a plan of action. There are no pots and pans, baking trays or other bakeware. There are 4 large plates, 6 bowls, and a few smaller plates but no mixing bowls, wooden spoons, sieves, peelers, etc. It really ends at the plates, bowls, a few cups and silverware. Sooooo, I guess I need to go shopping! And we’ll probably be eating out tonight. Oh darn.