In Transition
Torino, Italy a Miami, FL, USA
Today we leave Italy and move closer to The Cruise. The alarm never had a chance to go off. SOP. In the shower, shaved, dressed and nearly ready when it was time to wake the boss. 6:10 tested V to day goodbye. He came over to say goodbye and wish us farewell. 6:15 and we were in the lobby checking out.
The short five-minute walk to the airport. Looking at the big board, see the flight is at gate 22. Off toward gate 22. If you recall that is on the far side of the airport near the Bric’s store. Arrive at the entrance to check- counters about fifteen minutes before they open. Decided to walk back to the café next to Bric’s and get a coffee and brioche.
Once that had been accomplished, it was back to the check-in. Mary decided her carry-on was ok to check, so we checked five bags. On the counter there was an offer to get a free flight anywhere if you gave up your seat because they were overbooked. There was, just maybe, more than a brief moment of thought about accepting the offer. However, knowing Taylor, Rachel and Leander’s flight has been delayed hours, we thought out wasn’t worth the risk of missing The Cruise.
Gate 22 check-in couldn’t be further from the beginning of the security line. So, we huffed it over. We are business class and pre-check, so there is no real line. At passport control Mary had her usual technical operation difficulties, but still managed to get through. Once past the gate it is a big shopping center. Everything and anything you could ever want, and all priced as high as they could possibly get away with; all of this at a 50% discount.
The lounge was open to us, so we headed there. We weren’t there very long but who should show up by Taylor, Rachel and Leander. They had come in from Torino this morning to catch their flight. Their flight, like so many others, was delayed. We sat with Leander until it was time to go to the gate.
We boarded the flight and were on our way. On time, perhaps even a little bit early. You see when you put an extra day or two into your itinerary your flight is on time. We have two days in our plan. All our flights will be prefect. Of course, if you read day one, you know that didn’t really work on the way to Roma.
The configuration of this aircraft is really nice. We are in the center, facing towards the rear of the aircraft, facing in the same direction and there is a “wall” between us which is lowered so we can talk and see arch other. This is much better than being on opposite sides of the aircraft or at the window where you can’t see of talk to the other person. So, if you are traveling by yourself that is ok. Or maybe you need a break from your partner, but honestly these are the best seats.
Most people slept. Even Mary took a nice nap. It was morning so the last thing I was going to do was go to sleep. Sitting and drinking tea, having brought my own honey, thanks to the goodness for the Starbucks in Amsterdam who had the foresight to have the German “honing” sticks. I ran out of them a long time ago, but that is is Amazon is for. Breitsamer Acacia Honey Sticks are far superior to normal American honey packets. Why?
The honey packs you get at Starbucks in the US are about an inch wide and maybe 2 ½ inches long. They look like the ketchup packets. But they have a tendency to leak. How often have one gone into Starbucks, ordered tea, asked for honey to receive one or two honey packets that are stuck together with he honey from a broken packet. Even if they wash them off for you, you now have the issue of getting them open. A pair of scissors works. But with just your fingers? No. And even if you do they don’t open cleanly. Sometimes the side splits open, sometimes it looks like it opens but nothing comes out.
Honey Sticks are longer and skinner. They have a notch at one end for easy opening. Never seen one leak. Easy to get all the honey out of the packet. Even the flight attendant was impressed with them.The packet can even be used to stir your tea if a spoon isn’t available.
Landing at JFK in New York a little earlier than scheduled. Off the plane, through the Global Entry, with the usually Mary hiccups. Got the bags, made it through inspection, put the bags on the belt and headed to the next flight. It is silly but at JKF you have to exit security even if you are only changing planes.
My lovely wife took a bottle water with her off the plane and put it in her backpack. Only to have it caught when we went through security. They opened the carryon with all our medications. They had a particular interest in the Humira. Once they saw the packaging however, he shoved back into the cooler bag and was done. And we were on our way.
We stopped at Bobby Van’s. We have eaten here before and it has been really good. A full meal didn’t seem called for today, so we both ordered the lettuce wedge with the small side steak. We could have, as usual split one between us. The salad was good. The steak wasn’t. A great disappointment.
After our lunch/dinner we headed towards the gate. More to see where it was we were supposed to be than anything else. Again, we have club access, so we headed to the Admiral’s Club. It is now called the Greenwich Lounge. Once there we were told we, as platinum level flyers, were able to use the Soho Lounge. We opted for going to the “better” lounge. Yes, it was more exclusive, better food and nicer seating. Probably just should have eaten the food here.
Time for the flight to Miami. Seeing that we were arriving just before it would go nine, I took it upon myself to order a car to meet us at the airport and take us to the hotel. Even at this hour it took about 40 minutes to get to the hotel. A distance of all of six or seven miles. But with the pile of luggage we have, it is nice not to have to schlep it out to the curb and find a taxi.
We arrived at the hotel after driving what visually would appear to be a minor war zone. So much concrete. Looked like they were taking down one freeway overpass to put up another. The graffiti in Italy is bad, but generally not as obscene. There also seem to be more here. Downtown Miami is a mixture of faceless and soulless concrete monoliths.
The hotel is on the waterfront, if you can call it that. The images from the 50’s and 60’s are of nice beaches and quaint buildings. Those are gone, at least here. The dank ugly water laps up against concrete barrier keeping it out of the hotel.
The InterContinental is supposed to be a four-star hotel. Ok, the lobby is very nice. Marble everywhere but no character whatsoever. Check-in was easy. The elevator had an electronic screen instead of buttons; ADA would have a field day with this. The room is small and dated.
However, it has been twenty-four since the journey began this morning. Sleep is what is important now. The bed is soft, the linens are very nice, even the pillows …..zzzzzz
Buonanotte, Enrico
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