Benvenuti a Firenze
The first land we saw from the sky this morning was the silver ribbon of the Arno River cutting a swath through the red tiled roofs of Florence. We left the depressing dungeon-like Dulles Airport and flew overnight to Brussels. Tires hitting the tarmac was the first indication that we were landing so thick was the fog in Brussels. They cleverly route you through all the duty free shops on your way to the gates.
We bought nothing, although they did have Leonidas chocolate. I just couldn't bring myself to buy something when I had been in Europe for three minutes. In the gate area beyond the security perimeter there is no indication of the carnage of recent past. The airport is very modern, white and bright.
Skies were leaden the whole way until the break in the clouds that hinted of the beauty we will come to call home this trip. We landed and at the end of the short runway actually made a u-turn to head for the terminal. The terminal is hard to find because it is the size of a rural elementary school. But the luggage came quickly and we met some in our group.
Our leader is Simona Contarini and she apologized for our arrival into the ugliest part of Florence. They have been constructing a tram line to connect the airport to the city center and things are quite torn up and will be for the two more years it will take to be completed.
Our hotel is the Palazzo Ricasoli, an old convent. We have a spacious one bedroom apartment whose refrigerator is thoughtfully stocked with salami, cheese, cookies, olive oil, wine, pasta and a jar of tomato/basil topping. I can safely say that the kitchenette will be little used. We each have a closet and the bathroom is spacious. There is an in room safe large enough to hold both our Mac's. The water is hot and the wi-fi is hotter! All in all a good beginning.
After we unpacked, each commenting to the other that we likely brought too much stuff, we trekked over to the Bancomat and withdrew some Euros. We had enough time to bathe and change before a meeting to give handouts and discuss our orientation tomorrow.
This was followed by a trip to the bar for introductions over Prosecco followed by four sumptuous courses. Everyone was definitely loosening up.
Though it is not quite 9PM, it's bedtime.
Ci vediamo domani
The first land we saw from the sky this morning was the silver ribbon of the Arno River cutting a swath through the red tiled roofs of Florence. We left the depressing dungeon-like Dulles Airport and flew overnight to Brussels. Tires hitting the tarmac was the first indication that we were landing so thick was the fog in Brussels. They cleverly route you through all the duty free shops on your way to the gates.
We bought nothing, although they did have Leonidas chocolate. I just couldn't bring myself to buy something when I had been in Europe for three minutes. In the gate area beyond the security perimeter there is no indication of the carnage of recent past. The airport is very modern, white and bright.
Skies were leaden the whole way until the break in the clouds that hinted of the beauty we will come to call home this trip. We landed and at the end of the short runway actually made a u-turn to head for the terminal. The terminal is hard to find because it is the size of a rural elementary school. But the luggage came quickly and we met some in our group.
Our leader is Simona Contarini and she apologized for our arrival into the ugliest part of Florence. They have been constructing a tram line to connect the airport to the city center and things are quite torn up and will be for the two more years it will take to be completed.
Our hotel is the Palazzo Ricasoli, an old convent. We have a spacious one bedroom apartment whose refrigerator is thoughtfully stocked with salami, cheese, cookies, olive oil, wine, pasta and a jar of tomato/basil topping. I can safely say that the kitchenette will be little used. We each have a closet and the bathroom is spacious. There is an in room safe large enough to hold both our Mac's. The water is hot and the wi-fi is hotter! All in all a good beginning.
After we unpacked, each commenting to the other that we likely brought too much stuff, we trekked over to the Bancomat and withdrew some Euros. We had enough time to bathe and change before a meeting to give handouts and discuss our orientation tomorrow.
This was followed by a trip to the bar for introductions over Prosecco followed by four sumptuous courses. Everyone was definitely loosening up.
Though it is not quite 9PM, it's bedtime.
Ci vediamo domani
Mangiare, bere, divertirsi e godere di ogni minuto. Amore, Paolo
ReplyDeleteDulles is a third world airport!
ReplyDelete