Buona Sera,
From Catania in Sicily. Yes, I made it, and there was some doubt that I could do it in one go. Because of the volcano--Mount Etna, the most active volcano in Europe was spewing ash, making it dangerous for planes and causing frequent airport closures. So I've spent the past few weeks obsessively checking Catania's airport status--rejoicing at every reopening only to despair when it was closed again a few hours later. But I took heart at the recent and more lasting reopening.
I flew business class via Munich. Here's my welcome drink--the tasty Avionic, my snack of salted almonds, and my amenity kit. I also received a sleep shirt, which I didn't use and will probably gift to a non-blog reader. I got some good sleep in my own cubicle with a lie flat bed. I'd ordered a meal in advance, but did not get what I ordered, and it wasn't very good. There was fancy appetizer of smoked duck, salad, and bread, but my computer does not want to accept the photo.
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So a smooth flight. I believed I had sufficient time for EES and passport control, and I decided to check my boarding pass to see if the gate was listed. That's when I made the horrid discovery that I did not have said boarding pass. I don't know what happened. I always guard those passes and keep them in the same place, but it was gone, and I did look everywhere. This has happened to me before and it's an easy fix.
On the ground my phone told me the gate, and I proceeded to the automatic EES machines. This went quickly. What I do not understand is why we have to under go the Exact Same Procedure at passport control where the lines can get long and slow. But I made it though in plenty of time and went to wait at my gate until the gate agent arrived. I presented my passport and got a new boarding pass.
The flight here was short. I had another avionic and a snack. Landed, got my bags and found my taxi driver. The airport isn't far from the city, but there was cloggy traffic so it took a long time to get here.
Then found the doors shut tight, and was trying to alert reception that I'd arrived when I fellow resident showed up. He had to call them and then we got let in. My apartment is nice and well equipped, but it's way upstairs, which is going to make it unfun when I have to leave early in the morning.
Exploration starts tomorrow.
Ciao for now
