ITALY! Part 7: The Long Road Home

We had a wonderful vacation in Italy, but eventually all good things must come to an end. On Friday we bid goodbye to all the family, gathering in Grandad and Boppy's villa for one last brunch and set of photos. The rest of the family was headed to Siena on Friday and then to the airport in Florence the next day. We were headed for Rome for a night before flying home the next morning.

On the way to Rome, we stopped in the really cool hill town of Montepulchiano. It is a little larger than other hill towns, but still very easy to walk around in an afternoon. We hiked up the twisted, windy streets to the piazza at the summit, where we had our requisite cappuccino's. We met a nice white dog up there, who was a puppy terrier- he reminded me of Skye and I wanted to pet him, but I got scared when he got closer, because I didn't really know him.

As we walked around, mommy stopped in a shop to look at leather handbags. That was perfect becuase daddy and I took the time to get a gelato. I have had tastes of Gelato all week and I love it! At first I was taken aback by the cold temperature of the stuff, but as it melted in my mouth I was entranced by the delicious creamy flavor. By the time we had our gelato in Montepulchiano, I was a true connoisseur of the stuff and happily licked clean bite after bite daddy offered me. I will be sure to ask daddy to get me some when we get home. There is a spectacular Gelateria on the main square in downtown Iowa Cty- YUM!

We got to Rome, had dinner a little cafe in a shopping mall- they were really nice to us there. Then we checked into the airport Hilton for our last night in Italy. We were on time the next morning, but our flight was held taking off due to weather in Madrid- where we were going to connect to out flight back home. We got into Madird too late- we had missed our connection and were re-booked on the next flight to Chicago- a day later.

We were all really frustrated about being stuck in Madrid. We wanted to get home, we didn't

have all of belongings because some was checked through to Chicago, and the taxis wouldn't take us to the airport hotel- it was too close and they wanted bigger fares. But we finally made it on a shuttl bus, got a really nice suite, and even had a crib and room service! Then we found out that the other family members also had trouble getting home. Due to high winds in Florence, they missed their connction in Frankfurt and got one bonus night in Germany!

After a long rest and some yummy Iberian cuisine, we were ready for the last leg in the long journey (the brunch at the hotel was one of the best breakfasts we had all week!) The Airport in Madrid is beautiful- daddy was taken with the modern architecture of the place (in fact, the design won the prestigious Sterling Award for architecture). We shopped in the Duty Free, enjoyed the spacious VIP lounge, and then setteled into our seats for the 9 hour flight. As I slept, mommy and daddy watched Juno and National Treasure (daddy also caught Darjling Limited, but wasn't overly impressed). I was able to maintain my composure most of the trip, especially when thy were serving delicious fruit and bread to snack on!

Hours later, we finally made it home. We were so happy to see Skye ad Denali again- they licked my hands as I giggled away. I slept very well the first night home- it really helps to be in your own bed for once!

I will post some more updates from home this week: The April Forests Awakening from Sleep, saying "Uh Oh", and, finally, my first tooth!