Benvenuti in Italia

After a couple days of some mad rushing around trying to accomplish all the last minute things, we finally said “arrividerci” to the States.  Our final days in America were filled with unexciting errands, including dropping the Subaru off so it could begin its own journey to Italy.  It’s a weird feeling to drop your car off at a random warehouse and simply trust that you’ll see it again in a different country.   Fingers crossed that Rupert makes it! 

For our last dinner in America, we chose, of all places, IHOP.  Maybe not the classiest place, but hey, it’s definitely representative of America.  We had a wonderful last evening, eating yummy pancakes and enjoying the company of some amazing friends.  Not a bad way to say goodbye to American life! 

And then, it was the moment of truth.  Ready or not, Italy here we come! 

Photo Credits - Tom Anderson

Eighteen hours, 2 in-flight movies, and only one mad dash to catch a connecting flight later, we landed in Venice and grabbed the shuttle to Caserma Ederle.  Naturally, the on-post hotel was full, so they booked us a room at a hotel just outside the gate.  The hotel itself isn’t that exciting, but they do have a pretty awesome coffee machine at breakfast.  There’s no better way to start the morning than with a fresh cappuccino (or two…or three).  Most of our time so far has been spent on post, going through all the inprocessing.  It doesn’t really feel like we’re in Italy, since the post is basically a little American bubble.  Hopefully we’ll have the chance soon to do some more exploring around town. 

More pictures will be coming soon, but for now a picture of our lovely hotel…

 …and the gate we walk through every day.

Ciao!