Rome

The alarm goes off at 5:00AM and with the suddenness of a slammed door our time in Rome is over. A last cappuccino at the airport bar (even there, the coffee is excellent), a bottle of duty-free limoncello tucked into my bag, and British Airways whisks us away.

It was really nice to get away from America for a time. It's been more than a decade since my previous trip to Europe and I hope it's not anywhere near as long until our next trip. As many travelers undoubtedly do, Scott and I speculate on whether we could find a way to live abroad for a time. Given the state of the world economy and immigration laws being what they are, we're all too aware that's not likely to happen.

I'm old enough to be amazed at the fact that an ATM card and a printed e-mail of our itinerary are all you need to fly 6000+ miles away from home and buy whatever you want while you're there. I definitely do not miss printed airline tickets and traveler's checks. As sad as I am that our vacation is over, I do feel relieved that I don't have to stumble in Italian anymore though.

Another layover in Heathrow, another long flight back to SFO. "Master and Commander" is one of the movie choices on this flight and I would watch it twice, but Scott makes fun of me. I try not to sleep, so as not to be too jet lagged when we get home. I have to be at work tomorrow.

Finally, we touch ground at SFO. There's a faint smell of eucalyptus in the air as we step out into California again. We're home.