Planes, trains and the pope mobile!!!!!

So things kinda took a different and unexpected turn for our trip.  Mom had a kidney stone that decided to be born in Italy.  So the long trip home was on the books.  It's a hard trip really when your at your best.  But when you are not on your game....ugh....it's is horrible.  To make matters worse the internet at  the villa was very spotty and even worse because of the weather....at least that is what Gabriella our host say's.  After trying to piece a way home we started out at 4am Tuesday and traveled all day long just to get to London and into a hotel room at 9pm.  

If nothing else just the walking will wear you out....but with bags.  So anywhere we could get a wheelchair we did.  Much to mom's chagrin, but she ended up seeing the upside to it all.  We were quick to get through customs and immigrations, and she also got to ride what I called the pope mobile.  I wish I had a picture of it....but we looked like sherpa's going through the airport....getting a picture was not on the table....the only thing I could see was the next step in front of us to get mom home.  

We finally made it home Wednesday afternoon after another 9 hour flight.  

It is funny...you plan a trip for a year.....you would think that I would be sad to end it just a couple days into the villa stay.  But it is very weird.  The only thing Don and I thought about was getting home.  Nothing else mattered. 

As for mom, after the crazy trip home, the doctors, the pills and all that she had to go through......ugh.  I think she might sleep for a month................................

Cloudy day's

Don and I outside the cottage.  This was a nice house....but a bit small I think.  We had not seen this house on our last stay.  But it was cozy with a fire in the living area.
We did also have some car issues.  The car we rented has some brake issues that didn't sound good at all.  Ended up getting Avis to come tough the car away and off to Siena to get a new one.  Made that into an adventure too....had never seen siena and found it to be much bigger than I ever thought.

Tuscany beauty.........

The sunset at the farmhouse is just as beautiful as I remembered.  That night some of the girls made a meat and cheese tray....just sat out talked, eat and drank wine....very fun.
Then Linda started sporting her singing skills with "the hills are alive with the sound of music".........

Dinner by Lydia!!!!

The first night's dinner was provided by Lydia....the very same lady that cooked for us 4 years earlier.  She looks just the same....dinner was great.....conversation even better.  Had a great time enjoying everyones stories.  Next day was beautiful.  Fog gone and ready to see the countryside.

On to the Villa

As luck would have it once we made our way to the car place.....we ran into mom and Jody and Kay and Truman getting their car's.  Place was packed with travelers.  Once we got our cars and had them checked out we hit the road.  AAAAhhhhh but it was rainy and misty.....and then the fog.  I wish I could have taken a pic of how thick it was....but no pic could show this.  It was beautiful, but ominous. I drove and Don was my wingman.  We do make a great team when we drive. Whoever drives the other helps with the navigation.  The only way to go.
So after the challenge of getting to the villa we hit the grocery store for provisions.  That was just as wild of a challenge because of the fog.....it was so thick that I almost went into a store to ask where the "Pam" (local grocery store) only to look across the street to vaguely through the mist the sign "Pam".
Now that would have been funny......"crazy american"

Anacapri fun!!!!!

What a great time with Amy and Linda in Anacapri.  The first photo is looking out our bed and breakfast.  Next is catching Amy laughing at the crazy driving that you have there.  I have video's that will curl your hair.  And the last two pic's are us taking the hydrofoil back to Naples to get the train to Florence.
Once in Florence we left the bobbsey twins and found our hotel for the night.  We stayed at the Cosmopolitan for the night for a great meal at a trattoria around the corner from our hotel.
Got to see Cindy and Jim very quickly before bed for a bit of wine and talk of their travels.  Great day of travel to the next part of our journey.

A picture is worth a thousand words!!!!!

Ok sooooo really!!!!!  This is not a made up picture.  We lived it...and much more.  I wish I could get the full video of us driving through the Capri streets......a total E ticket ride.......TOTAL!!!!
This is the normal travel in Amalfi coast!!!!! Love it!!!!  Could not get enough!!!!  But it is not for the faint of heart.  These people honk their horns to let you know they are at a hairpin corner and comin around.  But the key is you never, ever, slow down.  That is the key to Amalfi and Capri driving.  Very life challenging but very life affirming.

As a side bar, Amy and I took the plunge rode the chairlift over Capri.  Very beautiful, but you would not expect to be but in the midst of it all to hear the words....."KIM NORRIS" as you are going up the mountain side.  I turn to see Cindy Gordon coming down the other side....WHAT are you kidding me.  She also follows up with "I love you"  What a great surprise!!!! Can't wait to see them tomorrow....by the way I am guessing that she loves me because she is in Italy and loves it.....it does bring it out in ya.

Positano beauty

This is the view from our B&B that Johnny Maresca www.johnnystourservice.com helped us with. The B&B name is Il Canneto and we are thrilled.  Only one night here and then off to Capri.  Ciao!

When non-revenue goes right!!!!!

So as we last left off we were in DFW non-rev limbo.  Well the god's were kind to us and we got the last 2 business class seats.....together no less.  We even left on time and arrived right on schedule.....what about that.  Got thru customs with the smoothest of ease and then we get to the Lufthansa gate for Napoli and oooopppsss they "are a bit oversold" the lovely german lady say's.  But she says stay close.....well you don't have to tell us twice.  We wait till the bitter end with no reservations in Napoli....how could we, we don't know if we will even go to Napoli...we may end up in Rome.  Nimble fingered Don on his trusty ipad has written a driver in Napoli on the off chance we should make it, would he be available to drive us to Positano, and then further research gives us possible hotels if we should make it....but all is very fluid.
As the last of the Lufthansa passengers board.....what we hear them call our name!!!! Joy...but without any time to write the hotel...we walk down the jetbridge trying to email the hotel.....an damn the wifi goes out.  So off we go without any idea how, when or where to.
But once we get to Napoli, we find a wonderful man holding a sign with the name "Don Norris".  He is there waiting for us and then after helping us call the original hotel that we had in mind....only to hear that yes they are indeed booked.  He helps us find a wonderful place.  Beautiful view of the ocean, right across from the bus stop that takes you into the heart of Positano.  All is well....we can breath...the trip can now begin in earnest.

The crowning glory of non-rev travel

So here Don and I are in DFW airport......the drama has begun.  As with previous years, the flights that look the best soon dwindle down to a precious few.  A flight attendant friend suggest that with the possible merge scramble they are now offering rock bottom prices on oversea's flights.  Are you kidding me!!!!!!  Why have I heard nothing about this.  But after much debate between us we came up with Frankfurt instead of the very late London flight that would provide us with a very long day of travel the next day.  The only thing that could derail this plan would be ugly ugly ugly seats in coach.
Later on how this all comes out in the wash...............................

Rosita to Rome

So tomorrow is the big day for Don and I.  We have been planning this trip for over a year with family and friends.  All looks good this year for travel.  As good as non-rev travel can be I guess.  The last time we went there was a hurricane on the east coast that required us to leave 2 days earlier than expected.  And the first year we ever left the country we lost our sweet Sue just days before our travels.  Now it is my dear, sweet friend Rosi.  She is in trouble with cancer and never fails to show us all up on how life is truly to be lead.  She has her head held high and continues the good fight with whatever life gives her.
When we got the word how really, really bad it was and that we didn't think she had much time.  We all rushed to be with our friend.  But she was just showing us yet again how much the human body can endure and what fighting really looks like.
I didn't really feel much about Italy at that time.  Couldn't seem to muster up the fun factor.  For a number of days there it was just blank.  But if you look at all the pictures of Rosi, this being one of them with her daughter Keema, you see how life should be lived.  I wish I could post them all, they show all her travels, and zip lining, and taking on all that life has to offer.....but then it would be a blog about her....and I don't feel like that is what she would care for.  She would kill me for saying this, but without ever saying a word, she is a bit of a teacher with her life.
As we talked in the hospital about all the crazy stuff we have done in the past....going down memory lane, realizing that it has been over 25 years.....WHATTT!!!!  And then she stops and says "but hey isn't your Italy trip soon"  We stop looking at all that has been and she starts talking about all that will be from her hospital bed.  From how much fun we will have in Italy and bring back lots of pic's to ....."when I go back to work I am going part time....now more full time for me"  Rosi continues to live.

I know feel like that when I get back, I fully expect that she will be home and continuing the good fight. More than likely she will be planning her next trip.  Maybe hang gliding!!!!  She knows that the cancer has spread....she does not care.

So tomorrow the adventure continues.........................................

Three times a charm!!!!!

Soon....very soon....we will be making our third trip Italy.  YYYYYaaahhhhh!!!!  
Updates come very soon.  Get ready..........................