Getting Back On The Airbus!...05.14.08

Italy, here we come…again! Yup, the missus and I are determined to salvage the dream and partially dismiss the nightmare of last week. Are we gluttons for punishment? No, not at all. It was an interesting experience, which we both seemed to take on the chin pretty well. But, there’s still that bad taste in our mouths—you know, the kind that can only be washed away by a great cup of cappuccino, or a glass of Italian wine. And I can be pretty dogged, when it comes to getting what I want and resolving an issue in my favor. Which is why I’m loading up on ballpoint pens and paper—British Airways hasn’t heard the last of us.

But, in the end, we’re going where the remedy is. We learned some valuable lessons. I’m sure the nice lady at the Italian Consulate in Philadelphia felt like we were conducting an Inquisition. But, when you’re given a second chance at a “first time” experience, you want to make sure not to screw it up. I won’t even go into all that they ask for just to gain entry for a seven-day trip. And, after all of the hubbub, Keisha has a visa that’s good for six months. Um, don’t ask me. Just because they call it a system, doesn’t mean it’s going to make sense. but, if anyone's looking to offload a trip to Spain, give us a holler!

So, we’re packed (never really unpacked) and ready to fly the friendly skies again. This time, though, we’re going with the bloody Americans! U.S. Airways, baby! Give me a hot dog meal, a Coca-Cola and “The Patriot” as the in flight movie—with “Platoon,” “Full Metal Jacket” and “American Pie” on the other channels. Going American, we know that shit can still go wrong. But not in the area of immigration law, that’s for sure. (Sadly) our government has a suffocating choke hold on that issue. If something’s wrong this time, we know that, at the very worst, we'll stuck in a cab during evening rush hour, headed back home. Hey, at least we'd still get to catch "Criminal Minds" on CBS.

We're pretty confident that we’ll both touch Italian soil this time around, though. Flight leaves tonight, and gets to Rome in the morning (Rome time). So, if all remains well, look for the “From Across The Pond” entry in the next day or two.

Peace. (I would say “Ciao,” but we’re still not letting our guard down until we reach our hotel.)