86 Countries and Still Counting

March 28 - 2026 - Going Home!

I'll add more later but I'm currently in the business class lounge (all you can eat pickled herring!) and need to head to passport control and find my gate.

Just 8 hours of flying and I'll be in Orlando. So hoping they have Global Entry open but am not hopeful.

March 27 - Going Home

We left the village at 7:00 a.m. Thankfully, they agree with me that it's less stressful to spend more time in the airport, than fretting on the freeway about whether we'll make our flights.

Happily, no delays and the car rental return was on-campus in the Rome airport. They made their flight and arrived home safely in Amman, as scheduled.

My only dilemma was that even though I was flying business class on Iceland Air, it only includes airport lounges IN ICELAND. Ah, well. The boarding process was a cluster that involved standing in the jetway for 45 minutes while they cleaned the plane. But, the seat was comfy, food good and they offered water frequently throughout the flight. Air France - you could learn from that!

I arrived in Iceland to an almost empty airport. Because it is part of the Schengen Area, and I was coming from Italy I didn't have to go through immigration. I will have to go through passport control tomorrow, to fly to the USA, where I'm really hoping that the Global Entry kiosks are open.

I collected my bag and strolled through "nothing to declare" and was in the lobby of the airport before I knew it. I stayed at the Hotel Aurora, which is only about 200 yards from the airport. Sounds easy but there were 30 MPH winds and temps in the 20's. And, the road was covered with black ice. And, I had to climb over/drag my luggage over some piled snow/ice. I HATE WINTER WEATHER.

In the hotel, I chatted with the desk clerk as he checked me in. When I found out he was from Barcelona, I switched to Spanish. That got me a room upgrade and free breakfast! All I did was say Barcelona is beautiful and has much better weather. I also tossed in "and very handsome men".

When I realized that my electrical adapter wasn't working, I went back to the desk. My new friend was putting on his coat to leave for the day but joined the ladies at the desk to find an adapter for me to borrow.

Just 22 hours and I'll be on my last flight home.

View from my hotel in Keflavik, Iceland

Yes, it feels as cold as it looks. This was about at 8 p.m.

I'm in Iceland!

This sink startled me and made me laugh. When you put your hand under the faucet, water comes on. Move with either side and blasts of air come out. Didn't expect that!

View as we landed. That's a "freeway".

The stormy sky was beautiful.

Ocean with what appears to be ice.

Dinner was tasty.

Bottles of water! Only one, but she refilled it for me 4 times. Not overly impressed with the bowl of pretzels.

As someone experienced with re-engineering, I'd like to help Iceland Air with their boarding process.

No. Standing in line for 45 minutes in the jetway is not a great way to relax.

March 26, 2026 - Shopping!

Today, we hit the big stores in Viterbo. Conveniently, they're all just a few blocks apart and include a HUGE grocery store (think Costco with just groceries); a sporting good store similar to REI (but affordable); clothing stores, toy store and lots of giant furniture stores and places like Home Depot/Lowes.

Lori was stocking up on her favorite chocolate and some casual clothes. I was in the market for some good olive oil and balsamic vinegar and scored.

I also took the opportunity to chat up a local guy as we waited in the long line at the grocery store. We chatted in Spanish/Italian and he explained the special bread and chocolate he was buying for Easter. He asked what I thought about Trump and seemed very pleased with my reaction. Everyone one I spoke to, who quickly realized I was American, had something negative to say about the USA and Trump. "Devil" is the term most often used. Happily, they didn't seem to blame me for the mess we're causing in the world. But if you favor MAGA hats, perhaps you should leave them home.

We went back to a restaurant we'd enjoyed before which was conveniently close. Our waitress (who, I believe is one of the owners) welcomed us back and seemed happy that I got the fennel salad again and was willing to take her advice on the tart, which is apparently a local specialty.

We played Uno in the afternoon, then I passed on meeting an American guy who also has a vacation home. I had an early night so I could be ready to leave by 7;00 a.m.

Photos!

Yes, that is water dripping from the toilet tank (which hangs on the wall over the toilet, instead of being attached to the actual toilet. Love the ancient stone houses but they hold damp/cold.

So many flowers I don't see at home. Yup - wild snapdragons. Also, lots of iris, petunias, etc.

This is a cool idea. You can buy travel packages in the grocery store. Want a two-night stay with hotel and dinners included and perhaps a tour? Yup - just buy one of these kits for the location of your choice.

The hydrangeas weren't cheap but not a bad price and so pretty.

Have I mentioned how large and busy the grocery store was?

Well, of course they sell truffles. Just like Publix, lol.

The giant chocolate Easter eggs are everywhere.

Dried meat/sausages. I wish we appreciated good food/ingredients as much.

Cured meats

Lots of nuts - from California.

And, the big hollow chocolate Easter eggs. They have big ones - 3 and 4 kg for over $50.

That is all pasta.

In my airBnB were a couple small packages of toasted bread. Seemed odd until I tried it. With some jam, it made a nice breakfast.

I chose the oil which was extra virgin (how is that possible?) and cold pressed, which is supposed to mean it doesn't have any bitterness.

While I waited for M, L and E to finish shopping, I sat outside one of the many fast food places.

Almost every cart had at least one giant chocolate egg.

Happy Easter!

Not just in movies! Old Italian men walk with their hands behind their backs. There's even a word in Italian who likes to watch construction projects, hands behind their back, usually wearing a hat. Matt and a few guys from the village were observing road construction in the village this way.

I ate this pasta twice. Today, I cleaned my bowl. Pappardelle (homemade, of course) with a light sauce and local, homemade pork sausage.

Fresh fennel (which we saw being harvested in a nearby field), olives and oranges. Yup, ate all that, too!

Matt got a steak.

Eileen loves Pasta - in particular, Bolognese with egg noodles.

Lori went for the ravioli.

This savory nut bread was delicious.

This is the traditional tart the owner recommended. OMG. Almond pastry, layer of sweetened ricotta and cherries. Soft and craveable. I bought a box of cookies that are similar and wanted to buy five more to bring home as gifts. But when we went back to get them, the store was closed for the Italian version of a siesta.