Plane Pictures

Ready for another airport near-disaster we had in that same Rome trip? 

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We woke up in Rome around 8am and got out the door and on our way for another few hours of exploring. Our flight was leaving at 3pm so we had the whole morning for adventures. We walked through the Colosseum and up to the river and then meandered slowly back towards the train station where we hoped to find passage back to the airport. We had no pre-booked tickets to get back. There was a shuttle into town that we'd bought online, but no return trip. But there was plenty of time. We weren't concerned.

After a few minutes of walking confusedly around the completely Italian-language filled station we finally bought some last minute tickets to the town where the airport was located. We hopped on a train, hoping to find a way of getting to the airport from the station there in town. 

Thankfully, upon arrival in Ciampino, we saw a bus pulling up to that said "Airport Shuttle" across it's face. We ran to it, jumped on and away it took us to the arrivals section. 

At our check-in counter we waited a few minutes behind two sets of other travelers feeling smug with our slowly perfecting travel skills. After she'd checked our passports and visas and handed them and our tickets back the airport employee looked at us and said,

"Make sure you go straight to the gate. Your flight is already boarding." 

We looked at each other and back at her. She was already helping the next customers. I thought in my head, no, she must be wrong. We've got two hours...right? Quickly re-checking our tickets (which we hadn't done all day) I saw this line,

Departure: 13:05

It was 12:50. We had 15 minutes. 

The only other time I've ever sprinted through an airport was in Atlanta with my Dad and Sean coming from Ecuador, attempting to catch a flight to San Francisco to meet Erin on time for my cousin David's wedding. We missed that flight. But we caught another a half hour later and all was well. This would not have been the case here. Flights are few and far between and we would've had to wait two days...!

Needless to say, we made it. Heart pounding and thanking God again for getting us through our trip, we by passed the take-out in-airport restaurant we were planning on spending at least an hour in and ran to our gates. We made it by ten minutes and boarded the plane with maybe ten people behind us in line.

Phew.

That plane flew right over us after flying next to us for close to five minutes. It was a little unsettling how close it came in towards us. At least for me and probably other Breaking Bad fans...amIright?

Oh, beautiful snow! You make even gray days enchanting. See that castle in the second winter photo down? And did you notice the flock of sheep in the second one down from the top? And later on, are those the Alps? Anyone? It's crazy what we saw in an hour and a half flight. I love flying with a window seat. Flying into Brussels two weeks ago at 6am gave us great views of the UK in early morning darkness. I love seeing cities all lit up from high in the air.


Okay, Berlin. We're coming for you (in less than 5 hours!) and all your freezing glory! Have wonderful weekends, everyone!

Audrey, I agree. Rome!

By all means, Rome.

You may notice that the next photos of the Colosseum are in daylight. The next morning, on our way to checking out a few more places, we found ourselves walking past it again. And then we realized people were inside it. We altered our course and went to explore it as well.

We got to less than a quarter of what was available to see and do and, most importantly, eat in Rome. I wouldn't mind going back. I'd definitely recommend more than a weekend! Saying that, we still loved every minute we were there; I'm so glad we went!

When in Rome

Did you know that you can drink this water? These fountains were all over the city and you can just, drink.

We arrived in Rome super early and went straight to the Vatican. I hadn't eaten since before 6am, right before we boarded the plane. And what I'd eaten was one measly croissant. It was almost 2pm.

If any of your reading this know me, even a little bit, you know that's a recipe for disaster.

Our check-in time was 2pm so we were making our way to the B&B and I am basically on the verge of terrible-twos-temper-tantrum-hangry mode when Chris pulls me into a "Pizza Bar." We're expecting the worst kind of touristy fake Italian food when I eye their calzones. Buy two, walk out. BEST CALZONE EVER. Really, ever. As in I might fly back to Rome just to track down that tiny sidewalk pizza place and buy ten and eat them all in their ricotta, mozzarella, crispy dough glory. Can you tell it's past my lunch time?

Aaaaanyway.

All of this is what we went to and saw leading up to check-in. The closer we got to zero-hundred get-kelly-food hour, the less pictures I took. And yet still...! Look at all of this!

"Can I touch it? I'm gonna. Whoa, cold"

This is what Chris meant yesterday. Crazy stuff just pops up everywhere.

This too. We just came across it. When we got to the B&B they mentioned that that part of town is the oldest. We'd already gone to it without knowing.

Oh is that you, Colosseum, just popping up as we're walking? If I hadn't looked up (we were turning the corner) I would've missed it. Nest we arrive at our residence for the evening. Loved it.

All I did was think about Roman Holiday while we were at the Spanish Steps.

 new car?

Two more days of Rome recap and then we're flying off to Berlin! It's supposed to be bone-chillingly cold. No wonder tickets are cheap in January.