Day 1-Airport frenzy

I was packed and ready to go today for my first trip to Europe. I was so excited that I took a ride to the airport (thanks, Joel!) which had me at the terminal for about 3 hours before the plane was supposed to take off. I occupied my time with some episodes of Caifornication. While I was enjoying watching them on my laptop, a guy had asked if I could watch his stuff. I said sure. How hard could that be? Although, I was pretty good at making sure no one touched his stuff, I was not so good at making sure his seat wouldn't be taken. The first time, the man that took the guy's, who later introduced himself as Mike, seat was nice and found another seat. The second time, which I don't know why he would trust me again, had a young woman sitting in Mike's spot. I said very nicely, "Just so you know, someone is sitting there." "Well, he can't take up 2 seats! I need a seat!" and I said, nicely, again, "Okay, but I'm just telling you he's going to be upset." This lady wouldn't stop being nasty to both me and Mike when he returned. He moved his stuff and sat next to me and we both talked about this nasty broad, while she was still sitting in the seat. Needless to say, after that, we just had a good conversation covering the Bush Administration to Grandmothers, which made the time pass by pretty quickly.

Mike & I

Then, I boarded my plane for Paris. The plane was pretty empty, so I had lots of room to spread out with no one sitting next to me. I caught up on my movie watching with the movies: Alice in Wonderland, Valentine's Day and Remember Me. I still had time leftover and watched an episode of Dexter (I would highly recommend this show, if you aren't hooked on it already). Then we landed, which was not the smoothest landing ever...Maybe foreshadowing? When i got off the plane, I quickly realized that my phone wouldn't work, since I never turned on my international plan. The guy from information just brushed me off as a stupid American. I lost money on exchanging my dollars for euros. I couldn't go on the internet without paying for it, not shocking, but I was going to break down and get an internet card, if I could find them or even a phone card. Then the plane was being boarded 20 minutes after its original boarding time. Even worse, when we boarded the plane, it didn't leave the terminal for 2 HOURS! I would close my eyes for what I thought was a few minutes, but it was 30-60 minutes at a time, and when I would open my eyes I couldn't believe that we still didn't leave for Turin (Torino) yet. Needless to say, I'm not a big Paris fan. I'm open minded to a better experience, but right now, Paris is in the pooper!

I finally made it to Turin and a driver was sent to pick me up and take me to Savigliano, not too far from Turin. We made it to the hotel and the driver stayed and translated for me with the little English that he knew. At first, I thought they weren't giving me keys to the room, but eventually they did. And now that I think about it, they still have my Passport downstairs. I'll have to check that out...Anyway, the room is on the third floor...no elevators! I shlepped my 46lb bag and my carry-on up the steps, which made me feel like I've had the workout of my life. And I get to the room and I can't open the door (dumb American). The manager comes up and helps me in and I open the door and its sooooo hot! At least I was let in and have a waiting spot for when Tim is set to arrive. I'm very excited to see him since its been 5 weeks. :)

Here's to hoping that tomorrow will not have as many mishaps.

PS, my Mac laptop is too high maintenance to care that I want to put up pictures with these posts. Hoping to figure it out soon enough.