After 20 hours on a plane, we arrived in Rome in one piece (just). Palms sweating, knees weak, arms were heavy (thanks Eminem), we hesitantly made our way to the baggage carousel.
After 5 minutes of bags circling and re-circling us we had almost given up hope. Then, praise the Lord, my red bag popped out and came towards me. LIFE SAVED. We literally jumped with joy, hugging each other and laughing/crying hysterically. The Italians were looking at us like mad women, but we didn't care.
What I neglected to mention in Part 1 (mostly because the fear of the reality was too hard to digest) was that we booked a Topdeck Tour. Our first destination wasn't even Rome and we would be travelling every two days. There is no way if we lost our luggage we would ever see it again and the thought of traipsing through Italy in 30+ degree heat with long pants and one t-shirt did not sound appealing. Not to mention no sunscreen, clean underwear, make up and general necessities.
That feeling of everything turning out okay was the biggest relief and such a joyous moment. It felt like the universe (or airport) was trying everything in it's power to knock us down, but things kept happening to make it all alright again.
Our next challenge was to brave the Rome train system. How hard could that be? Well, put it this way; where I live there is one train line that I can't use. I fail at public transport. We need to catch two trains- one from the airport to Roma Termini and then from Roma Termini to Florence. We've been given clear instructions on how to get the tickets. What I notice in Italy already is the serious amount of required checkpoints needed and the zero staff around to help navigate. We purchase our tickets (somehow), go through all the security and attempt to 'validate' our tickets. Suddenly, my friend Sophie looks at me. Her face is white, she's silent with her mouth wide open and I know something is wrong. I quickly scan around us and notice we're one suitcase down. HOW?!?!
We look about 50 metres behind us and notice a lone suitcase propped in the middle of the train station. We've just gone through numerous check points, our train leaves in 3 minutes and my travelling companion's life (okay, slight exaggeration) is just out of reach. She sprints back, desperately trying to squeeze through barricades and railings to reach her suitcase and success, she has it. How no one thought that lone suitcase sitting in the middle of a train station by itself for 10 minutes was a bomb, sent the train station into lock down or it wasn't stolen beggars belief. The travel gods were on our side. The train guard just looked at her shaking his head and waved her back through. Our first, actually second, judgement of the day.
Suitcases in tow we got on the train and made it to Roma Termini. The next challenge begun. Remember how I said I wasn't good at public transport with my one-line-train at home? Well try adding about 20 platforms, multiple train companies, a foreign language and no staff around to help you to the equation.
My first tip on going on overseas holidays; if you think pre-booking tickets will save you stress and time, think again. Our train company was different, the train number was different and the platform had changed. After one hour of aimlessly wandering around the station with the tourist information desk refusing to help because we didn't buy tickets off them, we took a gamble and went to the only platform with our designated departure time. And hallelujah, it was right. After all this, we were on our way to Florence.
Man, Florence better live up to our expectations!
