Well, today’s the day! After almost 2 years in the preparation, I’m flying off to Italy today for 3 days in Rome and a week in Tuscany. It was in October of ’03 that our BW3 group started talking about renting a villa in Tuscany together, and we’ve had many meetings since then to figure on where and when and whom and all that. There will be 18 of us in the party. I invited judiang to be my roomie (we tried to see if elsaf could come as well, but it just didn’t work out for her – alas!) Most of the others are either current co-workers or former co-workers (and spouses, some of whom fit the current co-workers description as well). The only two who were unable to attend any of the meetings were Judi (the whole living in another state thing was a bit of a hindrance) and Kathie (who’s part of the non-co-workers contingent). Still, some of the folks going on the trip (Steve & Beth and Gary & Marcia) have met Judi, so it shouldn’t be all that bad for her.

Due to buying tickets later than I should, I’m flying in on a different flight than most of the folks. The only other one on a different flight is Tammy, who got a freebie flight and could only pick the dates. Judi, meanwhile, will meet up with the rest of the contingent in Detroit. I’ve given her photos of two of the guys and passed her photo around at the last meeting. Who knows, maybe John has made a “JUDI” sign to hold up for her. 🙂 I hope they do meet up, I think she’ll have fun chatting with these strange people we’re going to be spending 10+ days with.

I’m flying US Air (“If you’ve got time to spare, why not fly US Air?”) today, and theoretically should arrive about 2 hours before the main party. Let’s hope they’ve got their act together and this is, indeed, the case. (They’re the airline who left me stranded at Gatwick for a night and then Philly for another night on a Spring Break one year.) Tammy’s flight gets in about half an hour after the main group is supposed to arrive.

The goal is to head out from the airport in Rome to Rome proper to the Hotel Regno, where we’re staying. We’ll play around in Rome and Vatican City for a couple of days, then Saturday morning, 5 of our brave men will foolishly rent 5 cars and drive (in Rome!!!!!) to the hotel to pick the rest of us up. Then we’ll drive off to the villa which is near a small village near Cortona. It’s the Villa Francesco, which has a swimming pool!

While at the villa, we intend to do several day trips to places around the villa. A day in Florence, a day at the seaside, a day in Venice, etc. And hopefully some quality time by the pool (or rather, for me, in the pool). My goal is to swim every morning and every evening. We’ll see if I can manage that goal. Supposed to be sunny and in the high 80s (°F) throughout the trip. Sweet. 🙂 (OK, so high 80s is a bit warm for me, but I should be OK. It’s actually cooler than it’s been here the past week or so!)

We’ve no idea what sort of ‘net connection we’ll have while there. There might be internet cafes where we can report back in, but if not, you’ll just have to wait for my magnum opus when I return. You poor things! 😉

Anyhoo, be good to each other while we’re gone! Have fun, cuz we certainly intend to!