Italy Here We Come!

Jake and I like to be over-prepared on travel days. We set backup alarms to avoid oversleeping and try to arrive early when we can, so that if there are any issues (delays), we don't stress out about it. This morning was the opposite of that. We overslept and our alarms did not go off. In a mad dash we gathered our bags and ran out the door of our friend's place, forgetting the key and to let the cat out. We missed the first train (of our 3-train morning to the airport) and barely made it to the airport with 20 minutes to catch our flight, which was not going to happen. I reached for my phone to call our friends and let them know, only to realize that I don't have it...its still on the night stand at their house.

And that's when I woke with a start.

Its only 7AM. Thank God, it was just a dream!

Now I'm wide awake and as my heart began to settle I started to feel the butterflies excitement for the day. We are going to Italy today!

Its a bit odd to be at our friend's house in France, getting it all closed up in preparation for our departure to go and meet them in another country. But then our lives are so strange that this sort of thing feels almost normal; easy in fact.

We took our time this morning getting the last of the gear situated. I made sure to put my phone in my bag, let the cat out and lock up the house before leaving.

It was a VERY long day of travel, beginning with a 15 minute walk to the first tram. It pulled in a few minutes after we arrived and we were off to the Gare Mulhouse, where we will take our next train. Its about a 45 minute wait, so Jake and I meandered the station until we found a bench outside on the tracks to sit. It felt like ages until the train pulled up and we loaded in, heading to Saint Louis (not the one in Missouri). From here we need to catch a shuttle to the airport, however when we arrived to the station, there was no signage to indicate exactly where to go. I spotted someone with a large roller bag walking at a very brisk pace to the back of the station, so Jake and I raced to keep up. I can only assume they're heading for the airport with that type of luggage, and sure enough, we came out onto a back street to a huge crowd of people with luggage, all likely waiting for the same shuttle. With this many people I was worried that we won't fit and will have to wait for the next one.

The sun came out to a perfectly clear sky. It was brutally hot as we sat, sweltering in the heat with the 50 other people that were here. When the shuttle finally pulled in (30 minutes later), we all piled in, unceremoniously. Jake and I even managed to snag a seat in the back of the bus, and were even more surprised that somehow everyone (and their luggage) managed to squeeze in. It was only 10 minutes to the airport, but the bus was so crowded and had no air conditioning that we were drenched in sweat.

It felt so good to get out and walk the short distance into the Basel/Mulhouse airport, and we were greeted to a rush of cool air. Thank goodness. We timed it so that we shouldn't have to wait more than an hour for our flight, and with the extra time, we found a place to get a few sandwiches and drinks before the flight. There were a couple of cute souvenir shops that were fun to peruse as we waited, and then Jake thought he heard our flight being called over the intercom. He went out to find a board and it showed that our flight was delayed...by 2 hours!

I texted our friends to let them know, since they will pick us up in Venice to take us to some unknown location. Hopefully this doesn't mess up the plan, but more importantly, I just hope that our flight isn't cancelled (since apparently this is very common).

With heaps of time, Jake and I found a place to sit in line with other passengers, reading our books and eavesdropping on conversations. There are so many different languages and accents to take in; Italian, Spanish, French, English, German and Swiss. I couldn't make heads or tails of most conversations, but it was fun and the time did pass quickly.

Our plane arrived and we were all set to board, which was a big cluster. When we took off, I was too excited and had my face plastered on the window as we flew over mountains covered in cloud and snow. The journey was short, only 50 minutes and we were landing at the Marco Polo airport in Venice.

Anthony gave us very specific directions for where to meet; we had to find them at the rental-car place which was outside of the airport. So we had to track down a specific shuttle bus to give us a ride, and show them a logo and a parking space number where they are supposed to drop us off. Now I assumed this feat would be impossible, what with the chaos of so many vehicles strewn about, but as soon as we walked outside, I spotted the exact shuttle we needed driving over to the far corner of the parking area. I bolted with Jake on my heels and we got super lucky to catch them before they left. Not 10 minutes later, we pulled into the parking lot and spotted our friends waiting at the black SUV!

Yay, we made it...together at last! We have another 3-hour journey ahead of us, but at this point, I really didn't care. We were just thrilled to not have to think anymore and be left in the hands of our friends.

It was such a beautiful journey, easy to zone out in the back seat and soak in the beauty around us. The scenery changed from the rolling green hills and farms to tall jagged peaks of the Italian Alps. I reached down for my bag only to remember that I put in the trunk, with both of my cameras! I had to resort to using the phone to take less than stellar photos until we pulled over and I could rectify my mistake.

Time passed and we continued deeper and deeper in to the mountains, which were more massive than anything I've ever seen before. They reminded me of the Tetons in Wyoming, only these mountains span for miles and miles and miles...seemingly forever. It had me begin to wonder what the surprise is and secretly I was putting pieces together. Anthony is a bit of a daredevil, I hope we don't have to go skydiving or something crazy like that, because I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to handle that.

We turned off the road and pulled into a gorgeous mountain town, Cortina. Cortina d'Ampezzo is a comune in the heart of the southern Dolomite Alps in the Veneto region of Northern Italy. Situated on the Boite river, in an alpine valley, it is a luxury resort mecca. It reminded me of Aspen Colorado. Anthony said he had to pick something up so he pulled into a parking spot and walked around to the back of a building as the three of us got out to stretch our legs and soak in the seen.

These are the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, also known as the "Pale Mountains". The mountain range forms part of the Southern Limestone Alps and extend from the River Adige in the west to the Piave Valley in the east. The northern and southern borders are defined by the Puster Valley and the Sugana Valley. The Dolomites are nearly equally shared between the provinces of Belluno, South Tyrol and Trentino.

Jake and I love being in the mountains, it feels so much like home. There is a fresh crispness to the air that feels so good to breathe in. It wasn't long and Anthony came back carrying a large black duffel, now I'm really curious what we're going to do. He wouldn't tell us anything and so we loaded back in the car to continue on our drive.

It was another hour of driving and the sun began to set over the mountains, which are now looming high overhead. The sky was clear but the moon wasn't up yet enough to light the way and the road was nearly desolate and very dark with tall pines towering up on both sides. With only the headlights to guide our way, we drove the last bit until turning off into a well-lit small town. I couldn't see any signs but as we pulled over and turned off the car, I guess we've arrived. Wherever here is?

Gathering our stuff, we all ambled over to a small apartment building and headed up the back stairs. It is an adorable 2 bedroom with kitchen, 1 bathroom and a laundry room. It reminded me of grandmother's house, it smelled just the same as her house. Its a very cute space with country-Italian flare to the design.

It was another very long day and all of us were completely famished. We went back out and I spotted a small sign with, Alleghe in large lettering printed on, so I presume that is the name of this village. Every building on the street is closed for the night, except for one small pizzeria: Giorggios. It was perfect for us to indulge in yummy pizza, gnocchi, wine, bread and tiramisu.

Now is the time to divulge the big surprise, Anthony informs us that tomorrow we will be partaking in Via Ferrata on one of the gorgeous mountains in all of the Dolomites.

For those who don't know, Via Ferrata (italian for "iron path") is a type of rock climbing that uses steel cables, rungs or ladders. The cable and other fixtures, such as iron rungs (stemples), pegs, carved steps, and ladders and bridges, provide both footings and handholds, as well. This allows climbing on otherwise dangerous routes without the risks of unprotected scrambling and climbing or the need for technical climbing equipment. They expand the opportunities for accessing difficult peaks as an alternative to rock climbing and mountaineering, both of which require higher skills and more specialized gear.

Its like Anthony reached into our brains and picked out the most perfect thing he could. We have always wanted to climb in the Italian Alps! And that's where he was when we stopped in Cortina, getting all the gear that we will need.

The only one who is not completely thrilled is Hélène. She said she is afraid of heights and is not much for climbing, hiking or anything like it. But she also wants to try and is not a quitter. No matter how hard she kicks and screams, she will try. Jake and I reassured her that we are all in it together, no matter what, we will go as far as we are all comfortable.

We are just thrilled to be here with these two amazing people and about to embark on something truly memorable. Tomorrow we undertake our first via ferrata!