As you all know I’m studying abroad in Florence, Italy and until today I haven’t been able to find a computer to start this sooner until now. so now this is my web page thingy. YEA!
Let me catch up and start with when I first started my excursion, Tampa, FL.
I got on my flight in tampa at 12:25pm june 26th, flew to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. From there walked over to the International side of the airport and let me tell you they do it up right. The first impression for incoming tourists is an amazing one. The sitting areas aren't as crowded, there's windows everywhere, duty-free shops (if you buy from these shops the items can't be confiscated at customs - they usually sell perfume, liquor, and other would be expensive merchandise). They check my passport twice then i'm let on to my flight.
My flight to Frankfurt, Germany, leaving about 5pm, lasted 7hrs and 50mins. It took 45mins just to get off the airstrip b/c of bad weather and so many planes needing to take off. while we waited the captain announced that Germany would be playing in the World Cup with Spain - soccer is a HUGE thing in Europe. Anyway, i had an aisle seat, next to an elderly gentleman who was staying in Frankfurt for 2 days then flying to South Africa on business. We where given diner - and they had 2 choices for everyone but i called ahead, told them i was vegetarian and they gave me my own meal of fried rice with tofu, fruit, a salad, and french bread. i was delicious! then they turned on our t.v. thing thats inset into the back of your head seat. You can choice from movies like An American Gangster, 27 dresses, Pocahontas, etc. or t.v. shows like the Office, Ugly Betty, etc. or Cartoon Network (which is what i watched for like 2 hrs) I couldn't get any sleep on the plane - i suggest if you ever fly overnight buy one of those pillows that wrap around your neck so you can sleep - oh and bring a pillow for your back b/c the small one they give you sucks. They give you a really thin blanket that is relatively large that keep me pretty warm. At 5am - Germany time; 11pm - Florida time they woke us up, turned on the lights and gave us water or O.J. then a small like croissant thing filled with cream cheese. We landed at 7am - Germany time now (1am florida time) and in the Frankfort airport you take a bus from your plane to the actual concourse. then i went and had my passport checked again, bought my first thing in Europe - a croissant that cost 2 euros - 3 dollars, and went though security - which was exactly the same in america except they don't make you take your shoes off. then i freshened up in the bathroom and waited for my flight to Florence!
VIDEO ONE:
http://s228.photobucket.com/albums/ee72/skye_watcher/florence/?action=view¤t=florencejune27063.flv
VIDEO TWO:
http://s228.photobucket.com/albums/ee72/skye_watcher/florence/?action=view¤t=florencejune27064.flv
****** The above links are videos of me goofing off in the airport *********
Crazy emergency exit signs . . .
Most people traveling and working in the airport understand and can speak english so i had no problems. Once again we took a bus to the plane and hopped on my last leg of the trip at 8am. This time i sat next to a older man who was visiting family/friends in Italy and told me a little about florence, italians, gypsy's, and how much i'll like it. We flew over the Alps and my goodness they are so beautiful! As soon as i saw them i wanted to bust out singing "THE HILLS ARE ALIVE WITH THE SOUND OF MUSIC!" and run away from nazis. lol. but seriously GORGEOUS! We landed in florence, italy at 9:20am.
The Alps from Above . . .
VIDEO ONE: http://s228.photobucket.com/albums/ee72/skye_watcher/florence/?action=view¤t=florencejune27066.flv
VIDEO TWO:
http://s228.photobucket.com/albums/ee72/skye_watcher/florence/?action=view¤t=florencejune27065.flv
*****if you take these individually and put them in the address bar they'll take you to my videos of the alps from above************
I arrived with all my luggage and grabbed a cab . . . batteries low got to go!
1 comment:
i'm so happy for you! exploring the world =).
augh plane rides are a pain in the butt! but that croissant sounded delicious. and then you have change the clock in your 'head' to get use to the country's time schedule. ..that totally makes sense.
anyways, hope you have a great time! i'm looking forward to your posts. :D
(i actually went to Italy like 5-6 years ago, it was beautiful! you'll loovee it- if you haven't yet already).
-adri
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