Twenty six hours from waking up in Milan to walking in our front door in Bwd.
This is the one day that we all dread. We woke up at 5:30 to get ourselves up and showered and bags out by 6:30. Breakfast was in the lobby at 6:40 and bus loaded the ones w/ morning flights at 7:15. (Our flight is scheduled to leave at 10:30)
We schlep bags in and to the American Airlines counter, where some people speak English. Some of our group had bags over the weight limit, so there were additional charges for the extra weight. One of the things we learn is to take the allotted one bag per person under 50 pounds on the way to the trip, but you may each take an additional bag home. We checked one of our "carry on bags" which was crammed w/ dirty clothes. We had no additional charges for extra weight.
And then we waited, and waited. The flights were not full, so people were able to shift around to get a comfortable sitting arrangement. This flight was a little longer actual flying time than the one we took to get us here almost 2 weeks ago, but it seemed shorter, somehow. Maybe because it was day light and we continued to "chase the sun" and get time back. We left at 10:30 am Italian time and arrived in New York's JFK at 1:00 pm same day--gaining 7 hours. We were fed twice, not bad meals. One was chicken and rice w/ veggies and the other just before landing was cheese pizza and a cookie.
We did see some luggage that had been "shrink wrapped" get on the plane, not sure just what the reason/justification was for that, but it was interesting.
The Milan airport had an almost life sized Harry Potter made of Legos--couldn't resist taking his picture.
Disembarked in New York a little ahead of the scheduled time, went through the customs rigamarole, got bags, went through customs thingy again, and gave them back the suitcases. Went back thru security, and then we waited and waited and waited. Some folks shopped, some went to have coffee or wine, others just chilled. We arrived at JFK as I said about 1 and our Dallas flight was not scheduled til 6. So we waited. The plane to Dallas was not full either, so we could stretch out some. I sat near a young man from India, who was going to Lubbock to work for a grocery store. He got off in Dallas and his Lubbock flight didn't leave til Wed (tomorrow) morning. He asked me if American Airlines provided places for travelers to stay overnight. I had to answer that I didn't know, but I very much doubted it.
I finished my very long book I was reading, on the flight from NY to Dallas, and tried to sleep, but the noises kept me awake.
Arrived in Dallas, called N and B, talked for awhile, while waiting for the baggage to arrive, got on the bus and conked out.
A REALLY SUPER-LONG DAY--arrived home to an absolutely grumpy cat and a comfy bed waiting for me.
LOVELY TRIP. THANKS FOR GOING ALONG FOR THE RIDE. And thanks to Citizens Natn'l Bank for sponsoring it.
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