Day Ten/June 9: From Delaware to New York/Odds and Ends

Jet lag left us wide awake at about 4 a.m. this morning.  But we did get a good night's rest in the Gateway Inn/Best Western in Dover, Del.  Bob went out for a bike ride -- his first since we left on May 31 -- and I went for a short walk.

We enjoyed our free breakfast at the hotel, and left about 10 a.m., arriving back home in Rome, NY, about 4 p.m.

Here are some odds and ends about our travels and a few more photos:

-- One military guy we met -- who I will not identify -- told us how he used to get around paying more for hotels in Europe.  Unlike hotels in the U.S., hotels in Europe charge per person/per bed.  So it can be expensive for families.  For example, their charge for one person might be $50/night. But add $50 for a spouse, and $50 each for two children, and the rate is now $200/night.  When his kids were young, he would ask for a 2-bedroom room, pay $100, and not tell the hotel about the kids.  He would then carry the kids, one at a time, up to the room in a big green Army duffel bag, and try not to get caught!

-- More than half the public toilets in Italy, that we saw, did not have toilet seats.  No one that we talked to could explain why.  It may be because people steal them.  Or maybe it made cleaning the toilets easier?  Or maybe it was just because the guys did not like putting the toilet seats down, so they just didn't have them????!!  Also, the public toilets most often did not have TP.  So, just as in Spain and some other countries, you have to BYOTP!

Let's see if I can read this sign.  From top:  Center of the City, Panoramic Point, Train Station, Community?, Beach, Hospital, Municipal Police

There's lots of graffitti in Italy.  Must be the artists' blood in them!

Bob is trying to find the Chiesa di S'Agostino on the map,
when it's right behind him!  Just kidding :)

I have to say, parts of Italy are pretty dirty.  But this street
sweeper was doing his part to
clean up some trash, with a broom made from twigs.

The woman at right is a gypsy, holding a baby.  She was going along a main street in Catania, Sicily, begging for money.  Most people waved her away.  We used to see this in Spain, too.

Joe Cocker was performing at the Antique Theater in Taormina, Sicily

"Hereafter," a Matt Damon movie, was playing
at the Central Cinema in Catania, Sicily

Even if you don't know that "Pesce" means fish, you can
figure out that "Nemo" is on the menu at this Cafe!

Bob used to work in what was called Fleet Weather Central, in this building, across from the terminal at Rota Naval Air Station, Spain. 
Our son Nick was born at the base hospital here.

We saw lots of stray cats in Italy.  Except around the restaurants. 
Just kidding!

-- I feel tons of sympathy for the military involved in Iraq, Afghanistan and now Libya.  They leave the safety of their homes and the love of their families, and go far away to help fight U.S. battles in countries most Americans can't even find on a map.  Meanwhile, their spouses, kids, parents and other family members are left behind to worry about and pray for them.  Seeing so many of them on this trip often brought tears to my eyes.

-- Just FYI, when retired military like us fly, it is on a Space-Available basis.  The plane and crew's mission is to carry cargo, whether it's helicopters or tanks or guns or food, etc.  Secondarily, if they have the room and the time, they will take passengers.  The priority of the passengers includes:  active-duty military on orders, then active duty military on emergency leave, then active duty military on vacation, then spouses and children of active duty military, and retired military are the lowest priority.

-- On every Space-A trip, we've seen some old retired military guys who look like all they do is come to the terminal, wander around until they can catch a plane, then travel and wander and travel and wander some more.  There was one on our flight home who was 95 years old!  He was short, wore thick glasses, and could not hear well.  I made Bob promise that, if I ever get too old to travel with him, he will not turn into that old guy!

Well, that's it for this trip.  Hope everyone has enjoyed reading my stories!  It keeps me from having to repeat them a dozen times, to friends and relatives, now that we are back home!  My blog stats today showed more than 150 "hits," so I know someone is reading this!  Any questions, just email me at:  chiphaley@yahoo.com.  Ciao!