Monthly Archives: January 2009

Update

Yikes Bikes!

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Thanks Air Canada for turning me into a total stress ball! Last night we got an e-mail saying our flight home had changed. Originally we were leaving Rome at about 8:30am, flying Lufthansa to Munich, then Air Canada from Munich to Toronto and then to Vancouver, arriving at 8:20pm.So, the flight was switched to leaving Rome at 6:50am. That most certainly doesn’t work with having to be at the airport hours before check-in, and having no trains going to the airport until after 5am. Either we had to spend the night before in the airport (so, check out of our hotel a day early, carry all our crap with us for the day of sight-seeing, and then waste a ton of time at the airport) or take a taxi super early in the morning for like a billion Euros. Anxiety much?!?!

The flight was also rerouted through Frankfurt and the second leg from Frankfurt to Toronto was on Lufthansa instead of Air Canada. I don’t really care about the air line change, but the time change…not cool. Jon was on hold with Air Canada for 2 phone calls, so about 2 hours, but now we’re leaving Rome just after 10am. Hopefully they didn’t mess up the booking.

Update

Final Prep

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Ok, 46 more days to go! I’m a bit of an excessive planner–for those of you on the Vegas Vacation, y’all know that’s true! You got the pre-trip briefing.

Le Bistro Pet FeederYesterday we managed to get prepped for abandoning our pets for 22 days. We picked up an automatic food and water set up, 2 more litter boxes, and a lot of litter. Before you go crazy, we will have humans looking after them. They’re cats, they’re smart, but they don’t have opposable thumbs, so they’ll need some care. But, with the new set up we don’t have to worry about Matilda starving to death, or Cal dying of dehydration.

Today, I read through the Air Canada list of restrictions on liquids, gels and aerosols. Who knew that you could take compressed air cylinders on board to work mechanical limbs and/or to inflate your own self-inflating life jacket? Not I, that’s for sure. I already knew the whole 3oz limitation, but I wanted to know the zip lock baggy size restriction for said liquids and gels. One Quart. Come on Air Canada–a QUART?!? We live in CANADA, get with the program, it’s called METRIC. ps: It is 1.136 Litres. Thanks Google!

And, I also went to the Bank to see about the “new” Visa Chip & Pin cards. They couldn’t help me at the branch, so I had to call the number on the back of my card. Thank-you Michael from Visa for setting me up with a sweet new card that will arrive in 4 to 5 business days!

Europe, France, Update

Il dort dans les choux-fleurs

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When we were looking for accommodation in France, one of the places that made the short list was in Montmarte near the actual café that was in the movie Amélie. If you know me, you know that I LOVE that movie! Eventually, we decided not to stay in Montmarte after all, and choose a location closer to the sites that we’re going to see. After reading a ton of reviews, and looking for location and price, we ended up booking a hotel that has a few sketchy reviews about the area it is located in.  Let’s hope it doesn’t turn into a nightmare.

Tomorrow, I’m going to re-read the travel books and make a list of places that are a must see, places that are a hopefully see, and places to fill the time if we have any left over. I’m sure between the Eiffel Tower and Versailles we won’t have much spare time. After re-reading the travel books, will be movies–Amélie for sure, and Marie Antoinette. Even though Kirsten Dunst is moderately annoying, I’d like to see more of Versailles.

Update

“Am I Going to Die?”

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I’m back! December was a little hectic. Slowly but surely we’re getting things ready for the trip, like buying journals, voltage adapters, memory cards etc. We still have a ton of stuff to do before take off, but the voltage adapter reminded me of this Travelocity commercial. I LOVE HIM! And, now I have my very own Squatzi.  He will be roaming through Europe with us.

Happy Travels,
~j