Catacombs - Day 6

Tired little traveler...

Another early start as we got up at 3 a.m. to get to the airport for our flight to Rome. After arriving at the airport, we learned that we could have slept another hour since there weren't even employees there to check us in! We flew Austrian Airlines from Salzburg to Vienna. It was a little propeller plane that was pretty bumpy going over the Alps , but once again I was awed by the Alps and the view from above was even more impressive than from the train. We continued on a bigger plane to Rome. One fun thing was that on both of the Austrian Airlines flights, they gave Baylie little toys to keep. Pretty cool.

We got to Rome around 9 a.m. and took a taxi to the catacombs. This was my fourth time to Rome, but my first to the catacombs. It was definitely worth the special trip. I was glad since I think my mom was tempted to stay in Vienna or take a side trip to Prague, but she was equally impressed by the catacombs. Just the drive to the catacombs is noteworthy as it goes down the Appian Way which was the principle road in Rome and one that used to be flanked by crucified Christians (think Spartacus). The catacombs are such a maze of ancient hallways lined with openings where Christians were buried. It would be so easy to get lost there. We were only able to see a very small portion of it and yet it seemed like so much. It was fascinating to see the remnants of marble facades and frescoes. Carrying Baylie up and down the steep stairs and through the narrow passageways was an adventure. I think she was a little disconcerted by how dark and dank it was.

I really liked our guide because he kept reminding us to think of these early Christians who gave their lives for their religion. He was a priest from Manila and was captivated by Baylie. At the end of the tour he wiped his hand across her forehead and gave her a blessing.

We weren't able to take pictures, but here is a link that resembles the postcard I purchased.

We took a taxi back to the airport to catch our Alitalia flight back to Milan. That portion of the trip was a bit frustrating and we spent a great deal of time waiting in lines and then the flight was delayed, but I can't complain because we didn't get bumped a single time. Plus, the Alitalia plane was the nicest one we flew in and had real air conditioning. I think it was the first time I've gone an hour without sweating to death since we got here.

Interesting side note is that at Malpensa I had my second brush with disapproval of our adoption when a black woman (I think she was from the U.S.) looked at me and vehemently shook her head. I chose to focus on all the other people oohing and ahhing over Baylie.

We took the hour-long bus ride from Malpensa Airport to Milan Central Station and then the 30 minute train ride to Pavia. David met us at the station where I learned that it was so late, the busses were no longer running. My parent's hotel is right by the station, but our dorm is across town. David said it was a 15-20 minute walk, so I figured what the heck. 30 minutes later the dorm was finally in site and I was exhausted. It's been a very busy few days. I think David was glad to have time to focus on his composing and he even declined to push our twin beds together since he sleeps better without me and Baylie. Hmm, maybe I'll let HIM sleep with Baylie and I'LL sleep better...

Well, It's now 5:53 a.m., so officially, Day 7 and I am a dork for still being up. I was going to let myself "sleep in" until 8. Tomorrow we're jut hanging around here in Pavia and then heading for the Italian Riviera in the early evening. We have an apartment with a private beach booked in Moterosso al Mare in Cinque Terra (this is what happens when the hotel is full and your husband speaks Italian - how awesome is that?!). We hope to also make side trips to Monaco and Nice.

Update - 6:11 a.m. and now I have to recharge David's laptop because I've used all the battery. I can't leave it charging because the converter will burn up the plug - so it looks like I'm an even bigger dork!!