Planes, trains, and subways...

So you are all probably wondering "hmm...wonder if CJ got to Milan and found her brother?" Well my friends, the answer would be yes. Of course, not without some drama to carry me to my final destination.

Mom decided to drive me to JFK to make sure that I was there (for her sanity) which was fine with me since dealing with transportation makes me nervous... throw in 3 modes to count on to be on time and work properly.... hilarious!

All was well at JFK and I got myself a drink and read for a little before my flight departed.
Hello Charlotte, North Carolilna! Cute little airport that was set up very smartly. Whoever did that needs to go fix the other stupid airport set ups. (I will have to find a way to post some pics later) I had four hours to kill, which was fine, rather be there and relax panicky and sweaty. I decided that to start off I would get a pedicure at the airport spa- HOUR DOWN!! The chosen color was a light blue called "Eurin Europe" HA! Lunch at Tequitera. Cute little Mexican bar. Yummy nachos!

Found my seat at terminal, ready to get on plane, relaxed...."malfunction of plane" pushed back waiting for other plane. That's cool I'd rather not die on the way across the Atlantic. oh, now you need to change gates for new plane, 3 gates down, no problemo. Wait, wait, wait, 6 people board plane. Everyone else is held. CJ says to new neighbor friend "why is our pilot leaving the plane and walking down the hall?" Everyone else off plane. BAthroom malfunctions. *sigh* 8:30 we were told we weren't using that plane. WAiting for new plane. Change back to original gate. 9:40 JUST KIDDING!!! go to terminal B for your fourth plane. By 10:30 I was finally on a damn plane waiting for take off (original flight 6:30) ** See early comment about realiable transportation**

Because of this lovely plane game I now no longer had a 3 hour layover. I pretty much had no layover. Because of the time malfunction we then waited on the tarmack in Dublin for another 20 minutes for a plane to move. Guess who now has 10 minutes to catch the next flight???

Of course I have to go through customs, go back to Ryanair to have my ticket stamped, bc I'm a foreigner, and run through the entire airport to get to Ryanair and my gate. Now friends, I know that I can be overly exaggeratory about things (and usually on purpose) however, it was literally on the other side of the airport... this is NOT a small airport. They kept telling me I wasn't going to make it. I kept praying to let me get on that plane.

The running joke now is that I have airport asthma because I couldn't clear my lungs and kept coughing. Weird voice issues for a while too throughout the day but better now :)

No need to bite your fingers... I was lucky this time and made it. Had to check my bag #&$*$(#( but I made it and couldn't catch my breath to say 'boo' let alone argue. My 2 hour flight from Dublin to Milan I was a mess! I was wound so tight... but I made it! That's all that mattered.

Since I ran through Dublin I had no chance to talk to Bill who would  arrive in Milan an hour before me. Again, since I am a foreigner I had to stand in line to get stamped with three other planes full of people (again legit, not exaggeration) So Bill is waiting on the other side starting to worry because it was taking way too long. I finally get stamped and find him. HALLELUJIAH!

I am so out of it at this point from lack of sleep and anxiety. I was just want toget a drink, eat, sleep, shower, and pee- not necessarily in that order. Thank God Bill had time and sat to figure out how we were getting from the airport to the hostel. I was so out of it I went into the men's room to pee at the airport. Some woman goes "that's the mens" I just responded with "yeah" and left the room.

We check in to our lovely hostel, I take a lovely shower, and we go to explore the town around us. We weren't impressed with the restaurants we found so we went to the supermarket and bought some cheese, meats, bread, tomatoes, and grapes. DInner is served! It was nice to check out the area and have a nice dinner. We caught up on what Bill has seen and done so far and got the next week together of our agenda.

I am so excited to go to bed tonight just to be able to be well rested and start brand new tomorrow. The The real adventure will then begin and I can't wait!