Thursday, June 9, 2011

What a Trip Home!

We said Arriverderci Roma and wished Tricia, Martha and Sarah, and John, Becca and Jenny continued travel adventures on their journeys to other European sights. 

Leaving from Leonardo da Vinci airport in Roma.

While waiting to board the first Lufthansa flight, the 10 scouts went shopping and found a t-shirt that cost 200 euros.  Ali was right about the beautiful and expensive shops at the Rome Airport which cater to maintaining a beautiful image.   Many slept on the two hr flight to Frankfurt.   Scott McGregor was our fearless leader directing us around what looked like a shopping mall as we made our way to the gate for our international flight home.  About halfway there, one scout discovered that her passport was left behind and then she, Bob and Maria got to experience German problem solving, being ushered first to ticket counter, then lost and found , and then back to the ticket counter.   As the clock was ticking down with 30 mins left until the flight departed the gate, a supervisor made some great command decisions, went away and reappeared with the missing passport!   Maria will never forget the ticket agent telling her that all the problems she had this morning were with Americans!!!!Then scout, Bob and Maria showed their physical fitness by running to the gate, stopping only for security and passport control and making it with 10 mins to spare.   At one point, Maria was so turned around she and scout started up an escalator for the lounge, mistaking it for the gate.   What must have looked so comical was how they descended an ascending escalator -- something you only see done with flare in the movies!   We made it look easy!! We made it to Denver after 9 hours of flying and after clearing customs and getting to the gate, the girls headed for the food court and McDonalds.   Right now, we are trying to retrieve a camera left behind on the international flight.   Wish us success.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Trip Update

And it's a beautiful morning in the Tuscany hills above Firenze, the Italian name of Florence.  Had a very long day yesterday, including breakfast in Florence, touring Florence, much of the group going to Pisa under threatening weather.  On the way back to Florence we ran into a big storm and an even bigger traffic jam.  Our normal trip should have been 1 hour- took us 2 and a half.  The group not going to Pisa spent the afternoon in Florence and got a bit soggy.  Had a great dinner in a local Florence restaurant then on to our hotel about 11pm.   The Arno river, the river flowing through Florence was flooding last night because of the storms.  So I guess we are not missing out too much on what is happening in some areas around Omaha/Council Bluffs...

Today we will finish breakfast then head to Assisi to see the Basilica and the city, then travel to Rome, dinner, and a hotel.

Tomorrow will be the big sights in Rome...

Inside the cathedral at Pisa.




The cathedral and bell tower at Pisa, otherwise known as the Leaning Tower of Pisa.


ANDIAMO !!
(Let's Go !!)




Forecast for today is really warm with a good chance for rain.

More tomorrow from the Eternal City....

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Tuesday in London

All flights left as scheduled. The aircrews loved the girl scout cookies and we received many acknowledgements over the intercom. For the first group, the Captain walked back and personally thanked everyone and gave his business card. The second group arranged a Happy Birthday acknowledgement to Makenzie. Once into Heathrow, the first group met the Tour Director Ali and the Alaska group, then had several hours to enjoy exploring London. The London Tube was a great experience and fairly easy to navigate. All the groups congregated at Mr. Fish for a traditional fish and chips dinner. Those who still had lots of energy enjoyed a ride on the London Eye.

Day 4 morning

Enjoying a wonderful breakfast of croissants, cheese, fruit and baguettes and crepes. We will be off in about an hour on our driving tour of Paris, then to Versailles. After Versailles, we will visit Notre Dame and the Latin Quarter and eat dinner at a restaurant called Hippopatamus. Dinner is supposed to be pork, but since we love dessert first, we will drool over the chocolate mousse we were to have. After dinner is our visit to the Louvre. Weather today is hot and windy. Energy levels are still going strong.p

Day Three And We're Still Running !!

Been keeping some long days and wireless issues, so we are posting just a bit this evening (at midnight after our activities...). 

We left London on tine via the Eurostar "bullet train".  Lived up to its name - got us from London to Paris in 2 hours and twenty minutes.  Got to our hotel then went into town to see Montmarte and visit the Church of the Sacre Couer (Sacred Heart).  Had a nice dinner of Flammekeuchel (will have to verify the spelling).

Then off to the train/subway for a short trip to the Eiffel Tower.  Was magnificent.  Boarded a boat for the Tour of the Seine (the main river running thru Paris).  As we finished the boat tour they lit up the Eiffel Tour...




Troop 45483 Scouts in front of the lit up Eiffel Tower, June 2, 2011