All year I’ve dreamed of this day – Flight to Rome our first day on winter break heading to board the Viking Saturn for journey to Antiquities cruise
And envisioned it. Now it’s here. My year has been hell. But I digress. Forget about all the difficult days when I couldn’t see a path forward. I kept this itinerary at the seat of my throne (in front of my toilet seat that is). And I’ve looked at it as I commiserated and worked through my troubles, knowing that the end would come. And indeed it did. Which is in itself bittersweet. Because that end of my life journey will also come one day, which now too, seems like it is far off and far enough away to never arrive. So enjoy each moment and make the best of every day I must.
The morning started in the dark, including a false start at 4 am, with me following Mo downstairs to use the bathroom, then him thinking we had to get up at four. We went back to sleep for two hours then get up and Mo made our coffee, like he usually does.
We left the house at 7:20. So we got to San Diego airport at the new improved terminal two with plenty of parking, took a pic of our parking spot number and made our way to the Delta check in counter which is actually also on level two. Note to self.
After changing my maiden name to married at Clear we continued through security and had a relatively uneventful through fair. Except that I need to figure out our TSA numbers getting them attached to our tickets. And that we need to enroll in Global Entry which takes apparently up to a year to complete.
With not much time to spare for our 9:59 flight we boarded and got to LAX in 24 flight minutes. Then waited.
Finally came the boarding time for our 12 hour flight to Rome! Quite unfortunately, my seat back did not recline from its upright position. Therefore I had to sit in an upright position for, yes 12 hours! I was a little bit upset and a lot uncomfortable.
I’d been forward looking to flying Air Italia which is now ITA. However there was nothing to look forward to. It was warm, uncomfortable and the food was less than acceptable. The flight attendants I’d give a 4 out of 10 overall.
Upon arrival at Rome, we disembarked and at first thought there were or immigration through fare. But alas after walking several kilometers we did find ourselves at the immigration lines.
Once we finally cleared through we had to walk further for the baggage claim and of course ours was the very last number 13 and our two luggage were hidden behind the last claim. Luckily though our bags arrived and we located some of the other Viking cruise guests and the Viking greeters.
We quickly learned not to stand behind the huge conglomeration of Chinese guests as they pile up to the bus door then cause a full stop back up trying to get in. Luckily once we got on board the ship Viking Saturn we avoided them, all together.
Way too exhausted to go down to dinner we checked into our stateroom, got organized and ordered room service. I scarfed the delicious salmon with boiled fingerling potatoes and cream sauce. Then I fell so hard and fast asleep.
December 19, 2025
