Not All Rainbows and Butterflies

I would like to start out this post by saying that what follows is not an attempt to complain or feel sorry for all of us. I simply want to relay the details of the worst day ever as comedic releif because I am not sure you can really believe all of these things happened in one day.

This past Wednesday was a sad day because Jennifer, Cristian, and Little Stella left us. Alex is still distraught and misses his little Bella Stella. No longer do we here her little voice saying, "Ciao! Ciao," and the smacking sound of her blowing kisses are sorely missed.

We got off to a tiny bit of a late start to the airport, so getting into the cab and off was so hurried and frantic. I decided to go with them to help them unload and what not. The cab ride to the airport was simply frightening! The driver ignored stop signs, drove through tour groups on streets where cars are not even allowed, and at one point I was certain the giant bus was going to ram us into the Arno. We all pretended not to notice and let on to each other that we thought this first car ride in 2 weeks would certainly be our last.

However, we made it safely to the airport, only to be greeted by a HUGE line for their flight to Frankfurt. Two hours we waited. I stayed with them to help manage Stella, her stroller, the baby seat, and their three large bags (not mentioning various carry-ons). Travelling with a baby bear is no easy task. So, two hours we wait in line and FINALLY get to the front. At this time the flight has already been delayed 20 minutes and is now supposed to take off in 30 minutes. Everyone is tense.

Now, the tension grows. I was watching the stroller far back from the counter, but by the way Jenn's head was shaking, I knew something was very wrong. I waited 20 minutes while they sorted out the problem and then they came to me and told me what was happening. Stella's flight had been changed and she was supposed to have boarded a plane to Munich that would then take her to SF, while her parents were to take the flight to Frankfurt (which was now cancelled due to fog on a day in Florence when it was SUPPOSED TO BE SUNNY!) Now, maybe I am crazy, but I am pretty sure 1.5 year-olds cannot fly without a parent or guardian.

So, they had to board a bus to Bologna, catch a flight there to Frankfurt, spend the night, and then fly out the following day, together, to SF. I felt so bad for them and I am sure they will think long and hard about travelling this way again!

MEANWHILE!!!! I finally get home to find that Alex and the rest of the family have been dealing with a tiny crisis of their own. You see, just before leaving for the airport, the power went out in the apartment. We assumed it was a simple blown fuse or whatever. Actually what happened is that our landlord, Pick (yes, Pick) Dei did not pay the power bill, so it was shut off. We found this out because Alex finally went into the mailbox downstairs that was always open and had mail falling out of it. Turns out, the box belongs to Pick. SO, he tore through the mail and found the power bill. He ripped it open to see that it had not been paid on its Nov. 11 due date. I guess in Italia, opening other people's mail is no felony!

He called the agent, Felice, and said if we could not get the power on, they were to put us up in 2 suites at the Hotel Bernini ( http://berninipalace.hotelinfirenze.com/?source=googleh ). So, Felice called, of all people, Pick's Mamma. You see, little Pick was on vacay and had taken the cash we used to pay for the apartment to go luxuriate God knows where. So, Mamma Dei andiamoed herself to the pay the bill. In Italy, it takes two days to turn the power back on, but they were able to switch the power from his other apartment in the building to this one. Currently we are expecting a shut off of phone and internet.... when's it gonna come? Luckily, Mom and Dad leave tomorrow.

On top of all his, Dad got sick the day before and has pretty much been out of commission. We had to skip our trip to Pisa and he is spending his last day here in bed. Please think of him and hope he has a safe, comfortable journey home.

So, by afternoon, things had settled down and we were able to enjoy the evening. The German Christmas fair started that day, so we went to look at homemade items and eat homemade strudel and bratwurst. We had a chance to walk and look at Christmas lights it the FREEZING cold. It was a good ending to a frantic day and we all had a chance to count our blessings and realize how much we appreciate the ones we love. Now Mom and Dad are definitely sure that Alex is awesome, as he helped us through the drama we could not have handled on our own. Can you imagine Charlie opening someone else's mail? Yeah, right.