So, as a graduation present from my aunt, I recently went to Italy for two weeks.  We stayed in the Tuscany area for a week, then stayed in Rome, Monterosso, and Venice.  I had never really been in a foreign country before (at least that I remember — and I’m not counting Canada…), so it was definitely a new experience.

The trip started off in a way that I pretty much expected — a plane delay.  We got to the airport at 6:30am, which is just really early, especially when, if you’re like me, you get about 2 hours of sleep the night before because you started packing, well, a little late.  So, anyway, we get on the plane at about 8:30, only to deboard soon after because there’s a light on in the plane, and they need to get a new part for it.  Our departure was moved to 10:00 to 1:00 to this plane isn’t going to leave.  So, we had to get an entirely new flight plan because it seems every plane is booked.  It was a pain, but as I said, it was pretty much expected on my end, and we eventually got to Paris (although, on these flights, at least 10 hours worth of flying, I didn’t get to sit next to my aunt because of our new reservations).

We got to Paris about 4 hours earlier than we had planned, originally, so it’s another long wait until we can get on the plane to Florence.  Once we start boarding the plane for Florence, however, it’s as if my ticket doesn’t exist.  I obviously have a ticket in my hand, but they don’t have it in their system.  Ugh, just another thing…

Eventually we all get on the plane (it’s me, my aunt, and two other people), I’m not sitting next to anyone I know, but oh well, we’re almost to Florence.  If you didn’t know Florence had an airport, it’s not surprising, because it’s one of the smallest airports I’ve ever seen.  Anyway, we finally made it to Florence.  Hot, hot, hot Florence…and I’m wearing jeans, a jacket, and tennis shoes.  I’m feeling pretty gross from all the traveling and no sleep, and it’s cool, of course, to be in Italy but I just want to get to where we’re staying, take a shower, change my clothes, and take a nap.  We go to the baggage claim area and the bags begin to roll by.  One by one, each person I’m traveling with picks up her bag, until, eventually, no more bags are rolling by.  Awesome.

Yep, my bag didn’t quite make it with me to Florence (well, not right away…I did eventually get it), but really?  Come on!  So, we go to the lost baggage area, I fill out some paperwork, and we’re on our way.

Don’t worry, I have plenty of pictures I’ll share soon, so stay tuned!