Siena, Italy - Getting There

Sinus pain. That is the defining characteristic of my 24 hours of travel.

After recovering from a month of Bronchitis and a cold, I boarded United to Chicago a realtively heathy person. The flight was unremarkable; the United first class is comparable to coach on Southwest, and there was a lap baby next to me, about Charlie's age, who mocked me with her eyes. I know she thought I was a bad mother for leaving him, but what could I do? Italy calls.

My sinuses flared up on the pane, and by the time I was waiting in O'Hare was possibly the lowest point of the trip. My nose was running like a faucet and my head hurt and I was dead tired. After going through security, and then finding and briefly hanging out in the Swiss Air lounge, trying not to fall asleep in public, I realized that their demure tidbits could not sustain my level of agony, and set off to find comfort in the food court. 

Two Advil, one Chicago style pizza, and a giant Coke later, I was forced to go through security again (my third time today, but not my last) to return to the Swiss Lounge. Nose was drying up, and I no longer felt like I am going to cry. For now.

Now boarding the Swiss Air flight to Zurich, the merciful gods of travel granted an empty seat next to me. They either did me a favor or someone else, I thought as the cabin re-pressurized and my nose once again began to run. Can you stuff toilet paper up your nose in public? Or is that just for your own bed? That is the question.

An overwhelming gourmet meal was served, followed by a dessert that seemed to be a glass of frosting. Those crazy Swiss. Then lights out and excellent sleep for about 5 hours, as good as any night with the baby at home. Breakfast. Then the Zurich airport, or as I like to think of it - that land of bountiful chocolate. There's even a Hermes in the airport! I went through customs, where my belief that the Swiss have many positive attributes, but humor is not one of them, was confirmed. My exchange with the customs man went like this:

"Why are you here?" 
"I am going to Italy" 
"For what?" Which was a question that for some reason shocked my feeble brain. 
"...uh..." then what do i do when I am nervous? you all know - make a joke. "Eat cheese? Drink wine?"
He glared at me.
"Vacation with friends?" Apparently that was the correct answer. Awkward customs interaction over.

More security, and I asked myself why I insist on wearing boots and a belt on the plane, making it so difficult to dress and undress in the airport. I met up with Margie and Maryanne here and we boarded a smaller plane for the short jaunt to Florence. They served some very strange tidbits, many of which I could not identify and did not eat. I noticed that they served the coffee with two small chocolate bars, and even thought I only marginally like coffee, I majorly like chocolate, so I got the coffee and just ate the chocolate. I still feel like I got away with something. 

Once again, my sinuses went crazy and I tried to control it demurely so as not to disgust the precise Swiss gentleman in the next seat. Despite my agony, I managed to look out the window and see the snow covered Alps, which made me want to take off my nun's habit and sing to the hills like Fraulein Maria. The hills were, in fact, alive, with snow and clouds and were absolutely beautiful.

We quickly found Kathy in the airport and got in our little rental car (stick) and were on our way. A little worse for wear, without hearing in one ear (sinuses/cabin pressure/descent, you get it) but excited for the trip ahead. If you can still stand to read, I can promise the complaining will end here.

Comments

[fred]

I have a nice mash up regarding Siena.Check it out

www.italy-revealed.com/siena/

Did you go on the top of the tower?Best view ever!