Sunday, April 29, 2007
I'm Here!!!!!!!
So I'm finally here in Naples. We came down here from Rome this morning. We're staying in a hostel with free internet access... YAY!!! So the flight here was pretty much a nightmare. I got to the Salt Lake airport at about 7 am on the 27th and waited for almost two hours for my flight... then I waited another hour for storming to stop in New York... then when we landed in New York I waited another hour for room to open up in the crowded airport for us to disembark. Needless to say I missed my group flight from New York to Rome and was rescheduled from NY to Frankfurt and from Frankfurt to Rome. We got to Germany late as well and my flight was re-scheduled again which was probably just as well since I got lost in the airport for a while. I finally got on a plane to Rome at about 3:30 and arrived at 5:30 (Europe standard time) which was only 8 hours later than I was supposed to be. So when I got to Rome and went to pick up my bag I found out my bag was still in NY despite my best efforts to make sure it followed me to Rome. From there I went to the train station and bought a ticket to the Rome city center. I couldn't quite figure out what to do, but then another American woman and her husband showed up (we met because they had lost their bag as well) and helped me out. From the train station I took the Subway and was supposed to take a bus when I got off, but I couldn't figure out where the bus stop was so it was dark out and I was wandering Rome all by myself. Most of the shops were closed and I couldn't find anyone who spoke English and pretty much I had no idea what to do. I had a hotel address but didn't know where to find it and no one could understand me when I asked them. I burst into tears and a few minutes later a girl in a car asked if she could help me. She didn't know where the hotel was, but she asked someone else in Italian and figured out where it was. She offered me a ride and I decided that despite the fact that she was a stranger it was infinately preferable to continuing to wander Rome after dark. She was very kind and talked to me about her friend in Washington and dropped me off right next to the hotel. I walked into the hotel at about 8 or 8:30 only 11 hours after I was supposed to be there. Everyone was very concerned and nice to me, especially since I was crying my eyes out when I walked through the door. From there things have gotten better... except my luggage. I was lent some soap and something to wear to bed, so my clothes are mostly clean, even if we can't seem to get my luggage back... we're still trying... Today we had a small sacrament meeting on a hillside on our way to Naples from Rome. We went to the Museo Archiologico which is where all the artifacts from Pompei and Hurculanium are at. Then we went to another museum... I don't remember the name, but it was fantastic! We got to see original Titians, Caravaggios, Giovanni's and more. I hope I will have pictures up soon. Oh! We're staying in a hostel in Naples and we went to dinner down in the town. We had real Italian Pizza. It is a little bit runnier on top than American pizza and you fold it in half and eat it. I also ate anchovies for the first time! They aren't too bad. They taste really salty, but mostly they just look gross so they're hard to eat. I have to go now though, I have more than taken my time on here. We are headed to the actual Pompei and Hurculanium sites tomorrow. I'm so excited! I love you all and miss you! I will write more later. I have like 10,000 pictures, but I might not get any tomorrow since my camera is dead and the charger is in my luggage... wherever it is.
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3 comments:
Oh darling that doesn't sound fun. I'm glad you made it safe and sound, even if the trip was a bit miserable. I can't help but be a little jealous, despite it, when you say that you had church on an Italian hillside and that you had the chance to see original Titians, Caravaggios, and Giovannis. Wow! How amazing! Don't worry about your luggage; everything will work out. Do you remember those prayers the five of us had huddled around a campfire before going to bed? We may not be together anymore, but we're still praying. You're amazing! I love you!
I am going to have to have therapy to get over the "lost and walking around Italy all night by yourself looking for the Hotel" thing. I am now only semi-happy you are there (seeing as I don't have a passport and can't come and get you in an emergency) and I hope that you get your luggage soon. Is there anything I can do to help? Call the airlines, airport, etc? I will work on the long distance thing and get back to you. I love the girl that took you to the hotel. We love you and are praying for you every day.
Love, Mom
WOW! that sounds awesome. Scary, but its a story worth telling. I've never managed to do something half that exciting. Well i'm glad you didn't get killed walking around Rome at night. I hope the rest of the trip goes more smoothly. luv ya
-Austin
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