Day 1 Adventure 2

Day 1 Adventure 2

Toronto Airport. Really?!? Do you have to be so confusing? Up and down and up to go down again. Back up to go down only to go up again.
The flight attendant to Montreal told me to not nurse Alora and to put her in the seatbelt to which she screamed her head off like a banshee. I apologized to the people around us though no one cared. They heard her snide commentary. (I get that she's 2 and in America not many nurse their kids that long but my kid has severe food allergies and is labeled 'failure to thrive because she's in the less than 1% range for weight. So unless you know the deal and have a kid like mine, rude lady, I suggest you keep your dirty looks and snotty attitude in check.)
I plied the child with a lollipop and all was well. I feel better about packing those now.
Montreal Airport. 5 hour layover. Alora slept despite our efforts to keep her awake. We found a nice little restaurant to have dinner and had the most delicious fries drowning in some sort of steak sauce with something called "squeaky cheese" on top. Didn't try the cheese but the sauce was pretty stinky good.
The flight across the ocean was pretty uneventful. Older kids and Marc slept. Alora climbed all over me. We walked up and down the plane. We were served dinner and then a light breakfast. They showed 3 1/2 movies that I didn't really watch.
I finally handed her over to Brendan (she was literally climbing over the seat to get to him) and took a 30 min nap. She was awake for over 3 hours before finally succumbing to sleep. I managed a 90 min nap.
We landed and headed for customs. Notice I didn't say baggage claim. Perks of packing like pro. The line as Naomi called it "looked like a ride at Disneyland" however, we were proven wrong as it moved a whole lot faster.
We caught a cab just outside FCO and the driver made my skills look like I drive Miss Daisy. He was a fount of information and pointed out things I knew no tour guide would ever think was a point of interest. For example, San Paolo basilica is the most important church in Rome. He explained why but I think it's something you would have to be here in order to understand. At one point I was literally covered in good bump and moved to tears. Something about this place that makes your heart swell with love and appreciation.
Our hotel rooms were lovely. Queen sized bed with a twin on opposite wall. Bathrooms featured a bidet which no one has yet to try though Alora thinks she can use it as a sink. Gross. The showers are so small I have wondered how Marc fits in it?
We all took showers and naps before heading to Mama Angela's for dinner and wine. Everything about the place screamed Italy from the movies and then it suddenly hit us all like a ton of bricks that we are actually in Italy. What a great way to begin our vacation. With gratitude and appreciation. It was just as I dreamed and hoped this trip would be. This is a moment I'll cherish forever. My family sitting around a dining table in Italy talking about how crazy wonderful it is to be here. Yeah, this is a good life indeed.