And So It Begins (With a Six-Hour Delay)

Saturday, May 3rd

Intention

   7:00am: Leave home for the San Diego International Airport

   Intended flight plan: 9:25am flight to Chicago, 4:55pm flight to London,
                                    8:20am flight to Rome 

   Estimated arrival time: 12:00pm at the Fiumicino Airport in Rome, Italy

Reality

   7:09am: Leave home for the San Diego International Airport

   8:45am: At the gate. Announcement that the flight to Chicago (intended to leave at
                 9:25am) is delayed until 12:00pm

   9:55am: Make it to the front of the line to change flights, hoping to still make
                 my connections

  10:00am: Issued new flight plan

  New flight plan: 1:45pm flight to Dallas Fort Worth, 7:55pm flight to London,
                            2:20pm flight to Rome

  Estimated arrival time: 5:50pm at the Fiumicino Airport in Rome, Italy

So, my trip did not start out as planned. I am still getting to Italy tomorrow, but I will be significantly delayed. Fortunately, two students from my group are arriving later in the day so I will be able to meet up with them to make it to our hotel in Rome. Public transportation has been one of my biggest concerns regarding this trip, so I'm glad my first experience will be in the company of other American students like me! 

Regardless, I am ready to get this trip started! I am ready to be done with the flying and the jet-lag (not likely I'll get over that quickly) and become immersed in Italian culture and gelato. Bring it on, Italia! 

Ciao!