oddities, observations, & ?'s...#9

oddities, observations & ?'s...#9

                                                                  

  

  Traveling Economy Class to Italy was brutal for two people who are used to moving around and can't sit still for long periods of time. I can't think of any other scenario in America in which groups of people are as blatantly categorized by class as we are when we choose to fly the friendly skies.  Clearly, a class system exists in the United States. 

  Economy Class may as well be a synonym for, The Less Fortunate.  But, I get it.  How many tickets would be sold if the airlines advertised, First Class and The Less Fortunate? 

  HUH?  What's up with that? 

  What compounds the inferiority complex I suffered by being squished with so many others in a space barely big enough to allow me to turn my head was the mandatory passing through the First Class compartment to reach my two feet by three feet space before takeoff. It was humiliating. 

  Since First Class passengers boarded the craft before The Less Fortunate, they were already seated with drink in hand and luxuriating in their seats independent of each other.  Legs stretched out, rotating seats, and a table between each privileged seat completed the look of First Class.

  As Regina and I boarded our Lufthansa flight to return home, I passed by one passenger in the second row of First Class seats who looked me in the eyes and smirked.  I rarely see anybody actually smirk.  But, this guy smirked.  He knew I was condemned to live my next nine hours in the role of The Less Fortunate and he was gloating by in flagrante delicto smirking.

  Three months earlier...  

  A trip overseas was going to happen.  Regina and I were in London before the scourge known as Covid-19 was released on humanity and we knew we wanted to return to Europe.

   The questions were where and when?  Germany, Italy, Scotland, Spain and Ireland were in the mix. Italy was our final choice.

  Two and a half months before departure, we discussed with a travel agent the pros and cons of a group tour.  In the end, both of us were glad we chose to travel with Globus Tours because we had free time as well as structured plans that we could not have set in motion on our own.  

  As an example of a tour benefit, we bypassed a line waiting to get into the Colosseum that was at least three blocks long.  The whole group of us were allowed access through a private entrance. We had the same experience at the Vatican and two other destinations.  

  Rome, Florence, Assisi, and, Venice were our planned ports of call. We saw so much in each city and have some great memories from various historical and famous landmarks as well as our shared experiences with others on the tour.  

   We arrived in Rome on Sunday and our hotel was two blocks from the Vatican.  We missed Pope Francis by one hour as he made his weekly appearance on St. Peter's Square.

   All of our group of 43 were from all parts of America and we all stayed at the same hotel.  That night, we had a group dinner at a restaurant about 15 minutes from where we stayed. 

  The Colosseum headed my list of Can't Wait To See.  Once we arrived Monday morning and we were inside the structure, it was almost surreal.  Everywhere I walked, I imagined what went before me. 

  I stood on an upper tier of the iconic ruins looking down into the arena and imagined gladiators fending off lions. 

  I could see half starved convicted prisoners gamely trying to get an advantage over underfed lions.  

  I watched as the outcast were pitted against gladiators.  It was no contest.  One group of half starving, weaklings against trained, well fed combatants.  

  I saw phenomenal athletes competing in track and field events as they practiced before going to Greece to compete in the Olympics.

  I even fancied what it would be like to be a victorious gladiator who courageously fought his foe to the end.  

  We continued our tour and our guide told us about a study of the Colosseum's underground drainage system that began a year ago.  So far, seeds from fruits, such as figs, grapes and melons, as well as traces of olives and nuts have been recovered from the 2,000-year-old stone amphitheater. 

  We left the ancient stadium later that morning and moved on by bus to the Vatican.  As I looked out the window as we traveled the streets of Rome....  

   I never saw a pickup truck in all of Rome (or Florence). Fiats and other small European made cars were the transportation of choice all throughout Italy. 

  I noticed gasoline was selling for 1.76 Euros.  At the time we were there, a Euro was equivalent to $1.06. 

   Rome has to be the motor scooter capitol of the world.  The two-wheelers were prolific.  It seemed everyone, men, women and teens were aboard what I call, MOPEDS.  

   Rome's roadways are chaotic, free-wheeling and dangerous, not to mention perilous.  Cars cut in and out of lanes narrowly missing other vehicles, people, scooters, curbs, fireplugs and buildings.  The scariest part is watching drivers of cars and riders on scooters meander through traffic without observing any lanes, rules, or, courtesy protocols and all in bumper to bumper traffic. 

  We were told car rental agencies in Rome do not offer insurance on rentals. 

  We toured the Sistine Chapel, Vatican, and St. Peter's Basilica.  Mere words cannot begin to describe the breathtaking beauty of all three religious monuments.    

  Tuesday we were in Firenze (Florence), a city at one time that was completely surrounded by a wall to protect it from its many adversaries, including the Romans. Portions of various walls that still stand date from 15 to 30 B.C.  We saw segments of the oldest remaining wall and part of the last one that was constructed in the mid 16th century. 

  A Tuscan dinner that evening was offered by Globus as an extra event and we signed up to participate.  

  A group of about 40 of us boarded a bus from our hotel that took us up a winding, curvy, road and dropped us off at the restaurant's front door which was pretty high above sea level on a hillside overlooking Florence.   

  The restaurant, Trepinni (Three Pines), was surrounded by plants, flowers, fruit and olive trees.  The setting was right out of a movie.

  Dinner in Italy is usually served late and meals are four or five course events.  Trepinni served five courses capped off with a standing rib roast followed by the fifth course, homemade tiramisu.

  The next afternoon was devoted to shopping in Florence.  The first part of the day was pre-planned followed by time on our own.

  We began our excursion at Murano Glass Company where we watched artisans create a beautiful set of drinking glasses that sold for hundreds of Euros. 

  Various works of art were priced at 12 to 15 thousand Euros and higher, but, there is that all important deal maker, Free Shipping.  Several members of our group made high dollar purchases and had their purchases shipped back to their hometown. 

  The same day we were at Murano, we visited a store that sells gold coins, jewelry, and, other 18K gold gift items.  I counted 12 clerks and all were busy with customers.  

  The business next door to the jewelry store sold hand-crafted leather goods.  Purses, backpacks, sport coats, belts, shoes and a few other items were all made in this factory/store. 

  I wandered around observing others and looking at gold, glass, leather and jewelry and saw quite a few of our new best friends from the tour making gold and leather purchases.  Once again, just like at Murano, free shipping was offered. 

  We left Florence Thursday morning and our bus was pointed to Assisi with the end destination being Venice.

  Pisa is where the Leaning Tower of Pisa is located.  The famed structure is the free standing bell tower of Pisa Cathedral.  I have never seen a cathedral in any picture of the Tower and in fact did not know it was a bell tower.   The Tower is at a four degree angle due to being built in sand.  

  Neither Regina nor I took the pre-requisite photo of one of us holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa.  Dozens of other tourists were doing just that and spent a good deal of time setting up their shots and the angle of their extended hand in line with the Tower, usually with someone else directing him or her.  

  Dozens of aggressive street vendors lined the path from the parking lot to the gate leading to the Tower.  This was the one place we visited I felt like the attraction was more of a gimmick more than it was worthwhile to see.  

  Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis, was an interesting stop on the way to Venice   It's a picturesque town with a shopping district of several blocks. Most of the streets were cobblestone, very narrow and lined with buildings that were hundreds of years old.  

  The Basilica of St. Francis, built in the 12th century, is the main attraction of Assisi.  

  Impressions of my favorite place we visited, Venice, is coming up in the next oddities, observations, & ?'s.  

  We are ready to go next spring.  The destination is not known, but, a trip to Florida to see Leo, our grandson, in a school play in April is one destination for sure.  After that, we want to go to Ireland, Germany, Scotland, or, Spain.  

  If not now, when?  

  Coming up:  a conversation with a retired judge; another POS; a job$ somebody's gotta do, and; the hobbies of Curtis Edwards. 

  And, finally.  We saw buildings, walls, structures and churches that were at least 1,000 years old.  In some cases, 2,000 years old.  However, Italy doesn't crack the Top 10 Oldest Countries List. 

  According to wionnews.com, Iran is the oldest country in the world followed by Egypt.  But, if you had to choose the third oldest country from these five countries, which would you pick?  a) Sudan  b)Georgia  c) Vietnam  d) India  e) Armenia.  

   c)  Vietnam is the third oldest country in the world (other online sources differ). 

  HUH?  What's up with that?