UPDATE 4/1/23: In case someone sees this later. As you will see below we did get home on Tuesday phew! And it’s been a whirlwind, so I haven’t had a chance to call or see anyone!
First, puppy Rosie and family doing great! She’s really a doll and she and Rocky are figuring each other out.
The day after we got home, Mike found a house for rent that had just been posted. We saw it the next morning and Mike is picking up the keys now!!!!!!!!!!!! It’s been crazy getting electricity, renter’s insurance, WiFi………..and let’s not forget now we have to move haha! My head is literally spinning! Love you all and will be in touch <3
3/28/23: Yesssss we made it home!!!!! Well to Katie & Alec’s house haha 🙂
I am feeling relieved and excited! Our sweet boy Rocky was so surprised and happy <3 He just kept kissing and kissing me and wagging his little tail <3
And our timing is perfect because tomorrow…………..a new puppy is coming into Rocky’s house <3 Yep, Katie and Alec have been wanting a puppy and this little girl moves in this afternoon!
Meet Rosie! She is a silver lab and is 8 weeks old and already weighs more than Rocky. We are so happy to be here to help with the transition.
Mike is already on the hunt for a place to live. He’s at Publix now getting me coffee! and cheese popcorn! and Clif Bars haha. We are seeing a couple places tomorrow and soon will go to the storage unit for fresh clothes, mainly shorts!
Yesterday was insaneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! We got to the Frankfurt airport 3 hours early (30 degrees outside for 15 minute walk) and it was a complete zoo. The only reason we had a chance of making our flight is we didn’t have luggage to check in–complete chaos and giant lines. We made it smoothly to security BUT THEN they could not get the doors unlocked to our gate area. I mean it took over an hour with maintenance men trying various keys. I thought I was going to pass out standing there. Everyone cheered when they finally got it open but then our flight was 30 minutes late. We got to Dublin and the board said <5 minutes! Mike ran to the gate and we had plenty of time really but no food or water. There were at least 5 different check points requiring passports and/or boarding passes. I was completely patted down and my boots sent through the x-ray machine. The flight was about 30 minutes late also but truly we didn’t care and soon I had a Bailey’s Irish Cream then nice dinner.
Flying during the day was better because I really don’t sleep on planes much anyway. There were many adorable kids on the flight ready for Disney World!
It was a long 8.5 hour flight but 3 and a half movies later Katie and Alec were picking us up from Terminal C–new and beautiful! And we didn’t have to go through Customs or anything because we did that in Ireland! The warm evening weather felt great!
We fell asleep around 9:30 p..m. (3:30 a.m. to us). I woke up at 1:30 a.m. and felt ready to get up. Tossed and turned after that.
And now our big day home!!!!!!!!!! It’s been so amazing you guys! I can’t wait to talk to each of you and see you soon <3 All our love for your support and staying in contact!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BEST OF:
I’ve allowed myself to think about the highs and the lows of the adventure. I think it will be awhile to fully process the experience though. Here’s a few thoughts.
Number of days: 61
Number of countries visited: 6; Italy, France, Monaco, Spain, Switzerland, Germany
Number of places stayed: 20
Favorite country: Italy
Favorite city: Zurich
Favorite hotel: Zurich, Ibis Styles Hotel
Best view Carcassone castle
Biggest surprise: Sheep 🙂
Biggest disappointment; All the cigarette smoking and vaping at every outdoor restaurant in every city and country
Can’t wait to return: to Zurich
Will never go back: to Sicily–sorry, no redos
Nicest people: Everywhere! Everyone in every place was sooooo nice!
Most English: Zurich
Least English: France
Unexpected: mountains everywhere in Italy and lots in France, and Spain
Temperature range: 27 in Tuscany, Italy to 78 in San Sebastian, Spain
If we were doing it again: 3-4 weeks (Mike says 2-3 weeks); stay in one location for a week and travel on short day trips, then move to one other location
Missed the most: Rocky (and family & friends!). Missed soft towels–no dryers means rough towels!
Didn’t know I would like: Red Wine
Best coffee: Italy, hands down
Best food: Italy, but faves in each place
Best desserts: France
Cheapest food: Italy
Most expensive location: Zurich
What Europe does better: trains
What USA does better: clean up after dogs, sounds funny but this was really awful in some very pretty cities
Made me wish we had: more cheap travel options by train, bus, ferry
Wish I had brought with me: slippers
Did not need to bring: bulky fleece
Was glad I did not bring: coat; worked out great to buy one there
Hardest part: finding food on Sundays; so many stores and restaurants were closed
Easiest part: finding exciting things to do every day
Did not prefer: No flat sheets in Europe; they use comforters only in hotels and rentals
Special mention to my boots, which took these feet everywhere without complaint–Katie was right, boots at the best for travel.
<3 <3 <3 xoxoxoxoxo
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