06/26/2026
Day 7 – time to leave – well for one of us.
Thanks to insomnia, I was up when Delta sent us a text message advising us our flight was delayed. Three hours later, our flight was cancelled and rebooked for the following day. After strategizing we decided to reroute the one flight so my friend could go home and book a hotel closer to the airport so I can stay that extra day. We all know I am okay with getting stuck in Italy for a few more days. I know our transportation company was over me and my repeated emails on time change. For us to end up taking the transportation anyway. So, listen, the water taxi driver was so mad at a couple that had six…yes six suitcases that they said they paid extra for that he took it out on everybody that had one luggage and one carry-on (that’s what the instructions said to have). He kept telling me I had too many. I said I had what they told me I could bring and paid for. He literally fussed at everybody on the taxi for the entire 30-minute ride to the airport. He was so angry and nobody tipped him. He was telling us off in every language he knew. After a while we all just started laughing and talking to each other.
After making sure my friend was secure at the airport, I took a $20 taxi down the street to the Courtyard Marriott ..less than a mile from the airport but there was so much construction going on, it was best to take a taxi. The concierge at the hotel had my room ready at 9:30 am upon my arrival (being an Ambassador member has its perks). After breakfast, I took a nap with a two-hour time limit. After resting, found a little public park with a few benches surrounding what I think was a school in the neighborhood. After chilling and watching two old friends having a conversation on life, I found myself at the local bar down the street. The taxi drivers come and rest before they go back to the airport to drive. Everyone was nice and cordial. They acknowledged my presence and moved around me like it was normal to see me sitting and watching people. After eating I walked a little farther down the street and basically started picking out my apartment (LOL). Returning to the bar, I ordered a tuna and olive sandwich to go back to the room. It was different but good.
DRATS, it’s time I rest up so I can make my way to the airport to go back home in the morning.