May 4th - Our First Day!

We met at the airport more or less at 3:15p as planned (Jason was late). Russ (Governor), Brian (Treasurer), and Jenny (GSE Co-chair) arrived to see us off. Jane and Nick successfully navigated the ticket kiosks. Jason and Martina weren’t so lucky, and received error messages that resulted in a slight wait for an attendant. Security and the airplane trip was smooth and uneventful.

We arrived at Rome customs with 4 people, but only 3 jackets, because Jason left his on the airplane. He tried to take the train in the reverse direction back to the gate, however was chased away by an Italian security guard. We had to call and have security retrieve the jacket. Total delay = 30 mins. Luckily we had a 4 hour layover. We stopped to sit down at a café, and eventually some of us became hungry. Some people next to us were eating via frattina, which looked good, so Martina bought one. Nick asked, “what kind of bread is that?” Martina thought the person who sold it to her called it “spicy bread,” but later realized it was “spiced bread.” Jane, who until this point wasn’t paying full attention to Martina asked if she was eating a spicy donut. Nick and Jason thought this was quite funny, however this may have been due to trans-Atlantic delirium. Most of us fell asleep while we were waiting for the plane to Lamezia Terme. Luckily Jane stayed awake and woke us when it was time to go.

We boarded the plane, which had a bright green interior, and promptly fell asleep before takeoff. We awoke in time to see olive trees, wind farms, and the sea before landing. Stefano, Giovanni, and Enzo were there to meet us.

We took some pictures in front of the Rotary monument at the airport before making our way to Copanello, where we are staying at a seaside hotel.

Martina, Nick, and Jason went for a walk on the beach for a few hours.

We met everyone for dinner at 8pm for a 4 course meal, which was accompanied with the local white wine. Finally, Giovanni offered to take us for gelato in Catanzaro Lido. Jason dropped his camera on the floor. Jane remarked that it was the best gelato she’d ever had in her entire life. Quite a statement if you ask me.