We made it!

It was a bit of adventure getting here, but now I remember why all of the hassle is so worth it. The saga began with a two hour wait to check in. I have never seen such a mess. United really made a poor decision when it decided to make international check-ins self service. Then, our flight out of Dulles was delayed leaving for two hours because of mechanical failures. Another plane was brought in from somewhere, which was a good thing since a couple of hundred people were beginning to lose their minds over the thought of not making it to Europe. Due to the delayed departure we had to sprint through the Frankfurt airport only to be told they had given our seats away to standby passengers since we had not checked in a the gate at least 1/2 an hour before takeoff. That would have been some trick since we were still in the air at that time. So, we are told to wait around and they would put us on waiting list for the next 3 sold-out flights to Rome. Huh??? Anyway, luck was with us and we caught the next one to Rome, only to have to wait for over an hour for our luggage to ooze out onto the baggage carousel. Next we hope an express train to Rome's central train terminal and then catch our train to Chiusi in Tuscany. By the time we get there the three of us have been up for an eternity, sweated our asses off running, and cussed up a storm Ok, I'm the only one who cussed up a storm.

When we finally got off the train in Chiusi, our driver Stefano and his girlfriend Steffi, both fantastic people, were holding up a sign that read "Myers". I almost kissed both of them full on the mouth I was so happy to see them. It was at this point that Luck stopped acting like such a bitch and smiled on us. Stefano and Steffi popped a bottle of Prosecco to toast our arrival in Italia and drove us through the hills of Tuscany. We arrived at our apartment in Montepulciano around 7pm on Saturday and it was pure heaven. I could not have designed a more perfect place to spend a week of my time. The views are spectacular out of every window, the flat itself is purely Tuscan design, the breezes are cool, and the wine is delicious. Today we strolled around the town, ate caprese, drank beer and wine, had a wine tasting, visited a wine cellar, and enjoyed a fun dinner at a traditional osteria.

Tomorrow we go to Montalcino for Brunello tastings. After 1 day I am hard pressed to imagine coming home. Some pictures . . .

View from my bed!

View from Piazza S. Franceso

Heaven, or a Nobile di Montepulciano wine cellar.

The Grand Piazza bell tower