After the 10 months since Bryan got his job offer and all of the craziness in between, we FINALLY made it to Italy!!! I remember a conversation with Bryan back in early February when we were talking about how everything really fell into place with this move - "it was so easy that it feels almost like it was meant to be" - ha ha - little did we realize what was around the corner in February/March! Yikes - you really couldn't have made this stuff up!! In early September however, we FINALLY got our Visas back, which meant that even though Europe is still closed for normal travel, we were approved to go!
With lots of finishing up of odds and ends and saying our very sad goodbyes to Bailey and Camden, we left in a rental van to head up to DC (where we had to fly out of because it was the ONLY flight that we could get Kiwi on). We had a great visit with Bryans' parents on the way up and then also with my Aunt and Uncle who live in DC. (It was a bonus that Mia was able to get a driving tour of the city - especially to see the Supreme Court and Capitol Building while Ruth Bader Ginsburg was lying in the Rotunda).
I was a nervous wreck about flying with Kiwi and all that it entailed (final Vet appointment within 10 days of travel and then overnighting documents to the US Department of Agriculture for final approval and them overnighting it back and the drive up, and making sure all of her accessories - kennel, stickers, bowls, documents etc. were airline approved. It felt a lot like adopting from China! With every gray hair that it gave me in preparation, it was actually perfect (thanks to Covid only 30 people were on our long flight from DC to Frankfurt, and as a result, we had 4 airline staff helping us get everything set for Kiwi - I couldn't have asked for a better experience!) Bryan, Mia, and I each had our own row and the flight was on time - quick and easy. After 10 months of hiccups, I was expecting complete turmoil - so this was such a gift!
So... the rule in Italy is that if you are coming from a "Red" country, you MUST quarantine for 14 days. We were picked up at the airport and whisked away to our "quarantine house" where we have been counting down the days (currently on day 11). The first 5 days were great - after the jet lag and catching up on paperwork, it was actually really helpful to be trapped with a full fridge....but now on day 11 - we are definitely over it! Our "sponsor" grocery shopped for us and other than to let the dog out and to "run" in our back yard, we haven't left the perimeter (definitely something to add to a list of "never have I ever" - been trapped 14 days in a house in a foreign country without leaving even once). The numbers in Italy are going up quickly, so the government has put a mandatory mask mandate for everyone outside - except those eating and drinking). The other rule is that if you are in a car with someone other than family - you must wear a mask). The penalty is a 400-1000 euro fine. It will be interesting to see if the numbers are able to decrease with this in place (they really don't want to have to shut down the economy again). Only three more days to go and then we are finally free - we are so looking forward to exploring our new town and surrounding areas!!
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An exhausted Mia flying into Venice (we had to wear a mask for the ENTIRE trip)
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The international terminal at Dulles Airport - completely empty because Americans aren't allowed to fly anywhere internationally (with a few exceptions)
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Kiwi was a great sport the entire drive up to DC!
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Again, nobody was around - even during the counter check-in (which is unbelievable for such a normally busy airport!)
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Not very happy, but not traumatized either!
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| We thought the trip would be long, but with great stops along the way - not too bad! |
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It was so nice to be back in Germany again (Frankfurt was our layover). I loved this picture of a bike (because why would you waste energy on a golf cart - makes perfect sense!)
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Our sunrise on the way to South Carolina (back in Florida)
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| People were congregated outside the Supreme Court to pay their respects to RBG |
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| We were so glad to finally be able to take off our masks! |
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A completely empty plane (sorry for the wrinkles and gray hair - this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to fly across the Atlantic with only 30 passengers, so had to get a picture!! :-))
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We were so excited to get our fed ex package back from the US department of agriculture with Kiwi's documents to fly to Italy!
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And upon arrival in our quarantine house... I had never seen a cork quite like this - sooo looking forward to all of our new experiences (like seeing a crushed cork prosecco bottle) :-)
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And more of all of the important stuff - olive oil, wine, and Grappa :-))
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Venice flying was a beautiful sight after 10 months of waiting
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The morning sunrise flying into Frankfurt was beautiful too!
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I so love these 5 - even with all of the hiccups - so grateful for a fun summer together!
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And this is upside down, but if you ever find yourself in quarantine for 14 days, this is an awesome way to pass several hours while having a great time - our friends gave it to us - an unsolved murder mystery - you can find them on Amazon :-) Definitely a fun time!
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And while I got prosecco, Bryan was thrilled with his German beer :-)
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| And had to comment on our Lufthansa tray - ha ha! After 3 years of living in an area that doesn't even recycle - it was so nice to have real silverware, real glass, real napkin, and real plates! |
