collect calls.

Worst day ever.

Screw you Travelocity.

After arriving in London all was well despite the popped ears and nausea still lingering from this illness from hell.

And the Heathrow happened.

I fumbled around a bit after getting through customs then asked where the central bus terminal was and got back on track – long trot there – I practically jogged along the conveyor belts.

Then when I arrived I was all disoriented and could only hear out of one ear. I asked a guy for help who told me to go to stand 15 to wait for my coach. So I did I also asked a woman for help and she told me that the bus I was scheduled on was terminating there so that they could put me on the 7:35 bus. I apparently got confused, I asked one bus driver about it and he said just wait for the 7:40 bus and anyway I never saw a 7:35 bus to Gatwick.

I started to get worried at 7:45 and asked another woman who then got on the radio and told me what I had failed to realize before – the bus wasn’t coming.

Freaking out a little I asked her what to do, she, rather brusquely told me there was nothing that she could do for me. That there was no way to get me to Gatwick for my 9:45 flight she just lectured me about how I should have allowed more time between flights – well fuck you very much ma’am! I asked about a cab or (taxi) apparently there is a difference in England? She just said it would be expensive great I figured since it was an 1.25 hr ride

I figured I’d try and make it anyway since it would cost me more than the cab ride to book another flight

I fairly ran back through the airport frantically searching for a ATM because I didn’t know whether or not cabs took Visa. I withdrew 300£ to make sure I’d have enough money, (please note I hadn’t told my bank I was travelling)

After finding a ATM and cramming my wad of cash into my wallet I ran outside with my luggage to find a cab, I asked some women first who tried to tell me it would be better to get a train and then bus, but that sounded all too terrifying so I just ran for the cab stop.

Good god I get bad cotton mouth when I’m scared

(the last time my mouth was that dry was my first university seminar presentation – which thankfully ended a lot better!)

I found a cab who would take me to Gatwick but he was rather slight on the details as to whether I would be in time or not.

I basically silently cried and hoped in the backseat the entire time

With a cab fare of 136.00£ I arrived at the airport’s south terminal at 9:17am, still hoping I ran up the ramp and scanned the boards to see where I checked in. it said Area E – Open

Delighted I ran to find where to check in but Alas, my hopes were dashed as I inquired and the lovely man said – 9:45? Well that closed ½ an hour ago didn’t it? I asked if there was anything I could do and he said “no closed, there isn’t anything else to say about it is there”

Boy do I love London

So in tears, I walked around wondering what to do then asked and was told to go to the flight help desk

A woman told me what my flight options were and I decided it was about time to call home

I just wanted to hear familiar voices

I used my visa to make a call home and dad’s voice was the best sound ever. I had to go back and forth to make a flight reservation that would get me to Italy.

Then once I did find a flight, my visa didn’t work much to my dismay, (but not my surprise)

But miraculously the woman at the desk got it to manually authorize.

Then she told me to run to check in as the flight was closing which I did and so made it to Rome by 4pm

Once in Rome I had to call dad again because I forgot to print off the travel instructions on how to get to Vescovado.

When I had those in hand off I was to get the train to downtown Rome

Getting the train is nervewracking when you’re not sure when your stop is coming up!

In The Termini train station I lined up to get a ticket because I couldn’t figure out the automatic ticket machines (I am just SO good at being self sufficient!)

But I got my ticket and then went to find my train. To do this you just have to look at the boards that have the train number and the destination and the departure time followed by the number of the track/station the train

Mine says 1PE

What the hell is PE

So I went to the first track and looked at the train it didn’t seem to be the right one so I asked the driver. He didn’t speak much English but said YES. GO. so I stood around with some people waiting to board but asked someone else to be sure and he said no it was the wrong train. A whole 6 minutes before I’m scheduled to leave Rome

Crap.

So I ran to information and had to wait for 3 people to ask their questions and I’m trying to articulate that I need to know where 1PE is. Thankfully I am understood and he points to my train and there it is - past the ends of all the other trains just barely visible

And it leaves in 2 minutes.

So I run

Dragging a 30 pound suitcase

I nearly puked I was so exhausted, but I made it

The ride to Siena was mostly uneventful, switching trains in Chiusi was kind of stressful, but I managed to catch the last one with the help of a charming old man named Salvio Condelli. I’ll write more about him later.

After arriving at Siena I took a 20 minute cab to Vescovado and arrived at 11:30pm - the last person to arrive on the dig.

I promptly found my room and collapsed into bed.

.. I still need to call visa