I posted a picture we took from our apartment balcony. On our last night in Italy, around sunset we saw a huge amount of small black birds, sort of swirling around our apartment. Doing all sorts of formations, sort of like a school of fish. More flew over head, we can hear their wings. David finally grabbed the video and we got a few minutes of this incredible sight. We couldn't get over this flock of birds and it wasn't until my mother said, oh, are you sure they were birds -- could they have been bats. Yes, come to think of it they were, they were tiny and very black. David snapped this picture of the giant winged bat, or monster...
Here are some reminders for myself for our next big trip.
1. Carry on. Take a small rolling carry-on, pack clothes and toiletries for all of us, in case of missed connection. This can also double as back up clothes for Gracie, or ourselves, for any mid-flight accidents or spills. Put it up in overhead and if we are lucky, never open it. This would've lessened the stress during that tight connection.
2. Purse carry on: Now that the clothes and emergency stuff is in the overhead, the carry on purse will fit under the seat in front of me which has important stuff such as snacks, lollipops and pepto.
3. Sippy cups. In order to reach said bag in front of me, I need to avoid spilling open containers filled with liquid that seem to multiply during the flight. Next time, remember to bring small thermos or water bottle for beverages for all of us. We had a sippy cup for Gracie on this flight and it was great and wished we had brought one for each of us.
4. I - Touch. Worth its weight in gold in keeping Gracie and therefore Mommy happy on plane.
5. Lollipops: Make sure we have a variety.
6. Packing. I think we packed fairly light, and I believe there was still stuff I could've left out, in terms of clothes for me.
7. Things I'm glad I brought: Gracie's air mattress, (came in handy for child proofing the apartment, as it turned out - Gracie ended up on a triple folded comforter on the floor). Zip Ties - (Gracie used them as a toy - she called them "fly catchers") Cotton Balls - (Gracie's favorite toy). Sample sized laundry detergent- (We could wash clothes right away).
8. Things I wish we had when we needed them: a few compact rain ponchos and a umbrella that lasts more than 5 minutes.
9. What people wear in Italy : Women - good leather shoes or boots, tight jeans, a smart, designer leather bag, and bring along a few scarves. If winter: elegant coat. Men: Tighter jeans then what you are used to, good leather shoes and a scarves as well. Cool sunglasses for both are a must. Be prepared to walk, walk, walk.
10. Resolution: Learn more Italian for next time. Ciao!
