Like most vacations, the last day rolled around sooner than expected as we headed to the Barcelona airport to catch a flight to Florence. We were booked on an evening Alitalia flight that had a short layover in Rome.
The usual mile-long line greeted us at the door. Watching the people in front of us, I could sense something was wrong as each one left the counter with hunched shoulders and a scowl on their face. When it was our turn, we received news that Italy was on a strike and our connecting flight might not be taking off. Stuck in an uncontrollable and frustrating situation, we proceeded to the gate.
In true European fashion, our first plane took its time and left 50 minutes late. When our plane finally halted at the gate, chaos ensued. Children were lifted off the ground and bags were flying through the air as everyone scrambled to make their connecting flights. It was a real life version of the movie, Home Alone. I knew our plane had left without us, but got caught up in the excitement and joined the airport version of Running of the Bulls.
Starving and disappointed, I thought the night was ruined, but I found that traveling with confrontational friends came in handy. They managed to get a free night at a 4-star hotel for the whole group, complete with two free meals and air conditioning. Our complaining immediately ceased as Alitalia treated us to a free night in Rome.
Very well written, Mary Helen.
ReplyDeleteYou have worked hard on your writing this summer!
Nice job.