6/9 - Departure for Paris

Easy drive up to Dulles - thanks Jeff!  Got checked in online - Clover has a QR scan code but I don't.  I have a seat number, but i get error messages, so hoping they can help me at the desk.  Also concerning is there's a student here with last name Parrish, who has been seated with me instead of Clover.  So seats need to be swapped.  Waiting in line now.

Did some research on the way up - i have a travel book on Italy... Two items i really want to so ... Galileo Museum & the Museo Nationale del Bargello (Medici art hoard).  There are a few days before we get there, but thinking those are better ways to spend the afternoon on the 15th.  So.... Plotting.

2:30pm Eastern - Clover & I are checked in & ready to go!

3:17pm -finally getting food.  Clover got breakfast sandwich & I'm waiting on a cava type bowl from "freshii" - drink is Mango smoothie.  Haven't eaten since ummmm.... 7am?

4:16pm - So excited about Florence!  I keep finding new things i want to see - Bargello (sculpture museum - Michelangelo, Donatello, Medici hoards!) - Pitti Palace with beautiful Gardens - Galileo Science Museum - wait... I already wrote this. 😁

<<< Cut to updating this at the end of 6/10 when we finally get to a hotel & stop moving & have wifi >>>

Very happy to get 10 days worth of clothes packed into bags designed for tardigrade shipping.  Challenge accepted & success!

I want to remember Amber like this when I'm in Italy.

We are optimistic in the face of challenges!  We shall overcome!

Clover & I managed to get checked into Dulles (after a 3 hour drive up, an early morning, and not having any food since 7am for me.  Cava-type bow from Frescii?  IDK - It's somewhere in my notes but the main point was I was STARVING, which is how you end up wth a mango smoothie right there along with 600 calories of mostly veggies and a bit-o-chicken.  HEAVEN to a starving woman!

Clover.... clover got food too.... it was a breakfast sandwich.  Egg, biscuit & cheese kind of thing.  It was gone too quick to get a picture.

On to the airline!  TAP Air Portugal pickup was about 5:45 Monday night (going to Lisbon with arrival time around 6am).  They started us out with dinner (which Clover & I probably didn't need quite so soon after our very VERY late lunch.  However... it was consumed!

Clover got the Pasta.... and I got the Chicken.

Wait!  I said "Chicken".... where's the chicken?  (where's the beef?).... what?  the pasta dish?  That was the OTHER meal?  Oh... right... there *is* chicken in there with the spagetti... ok.

Props for TAP using reusable cutlery thought!  Love the washabe silverwear I haven't seen since something around 1994 from United.  Awesome!  And very good service.  Not an uncomfortable flight, but not exactly comfortable sleeping either.  Makes me miss Amtrak seats.

Ohhhhh.... made it to Lisbon where we could get a custard tart and Americano for me.  I've since discovered that they aren't catering to us Americanos in Paris anymore.  Cafe' late' is the best they'll allow us heathens who cross the ocean to spend our money with them.  Ah well - fit into their world while we're here, I guess.  Long gone are the days where we could expect a happy welcome.

Look at that gorgeous kid & the gleeful optimism in their face!?  Joys of riding a tram between concourses!

LOOK!  Lisbon!  Clover loves the hills, the achitecture, and "ALL the red roofs!"

No sleep on the 7 hour stage 1 trip... but.... between Lisbon & Potugal this kid manages to catch about an hour of much needed shuteye.

Our first glimpse of France - Oh the Provential regions!  Love the patchwork quilt of farmland and deep indigo of waterways and reservoirs.

Clover says "Is it wrong that I think that says 'Air Rabie'?" 

No, Clover.  Not wrong.  We see it too.