Day One - Gatport Airwick to Taormina, Sicily
There used to be a Radio 2 Breakfast Show broadcaster called Ray More. This is going back to the golden age of the wonderful 80s. He always used to refer to Gatwick Airport at Gateport Airwick. This is something that has always stuck with me, even all these years later.
My first dilemma was to actually get to said Gateport Airwick. As my plane was scheduled for a 10.00am take off it would mean literally catching the first tube. To get to the tube station I would have to get the night bus. Then once at London Bridge, catch a train. All I needed was a boat thrown in there and I would have had the lot! I decided about 10 days ago that as I seem to be spending money hand over first at the moment (that will become apparent readers in a few weeks time) I may as well get a cab to the Airport. That way, my holiday can start the minute the cab arrives. Coupled with this I paid extra to dump my bag and go - basically check my luggage myself as I have already checked in on line. The next con, sorry option, was to pay extra or basically the security staff to do their job! For the princely sum of £5.00 I could ensure my swift passage through security. It really does pose the question: why does this not happen anyway. Personally, I would pay an extra £1000+ to still be able to have the freedom to go through the EU gateways. Sigh. Do you remember those days when we had such freedom. Now we have to either find a long lost Irish relative, or something I am thinking of, marrying a person of another nationality, in particular, country where you would be happy to either live or at least have that passport. Let's face it. I have married twice for love and that never works out for me, so I may as well get another passport thrown in next time.
Rant over and 824 days since I last visited an airport. She has arrived! I had a lovely taxi driver and we had a great chat to the airport. Usual routine once arrived. Dump bag, go through the security I paid for which basically was just jumping the queue. I can see why there are been delays. People. People do not read or refuse to do what is required of them. It clearly says, numerous times, put your 100ml only liquids in a bag, take out laptops, phones, keys. Remove belts, take off coats. It is not rocket science. Just do it then there would be fewer queues. Needless to say, I sailed through and hit the duty free shop for the obligatory perfume buying routine. Over zealous male assistant (about my age) blatantly wanting to sell me what he wanted me to have; not today sunshine thank you. Bottle of Chloe purchased and off to the boarding gate.
Previously, well most of my life, I have had this fear of when flying that the seatbelt will not go round me. A couple of times this has been the case and I had to ask for an extensions. Even the shame of that could not stop me from eating. I knew this time would be different. I wanted my flappy bit at the end of the seatbelt (something I have never, ever had before). I was so happy not to only have a flappy bit now but to have such a long flappy bit of seatbelt left over. Simple things but so important.
The flight went well and I got speaking (as I always do) to the woman sitting next to me who was British and pregnant with her first child. She was going to Sicily with her partner (who was sitting at the back of the plane) as he is Sicilian. She gave me a few hand hints. I had a lovely nap and then before I knew it we were landing. I caught a bus from the airport to my destination and called my host at the bus station and he sent a taxi for me. Just keep it simple Karen.
My accommodation is wonderful. A lot of steps down to it, but it is worth it. I have all that I need and there is a lovely garden space (where I am at the moment) and a beautiful view of the sea. I nipped to the local Coop (just as expensive in Sicily) to get my food I needed and once that was secured I went out for the evening. The good thing about travelling is the ability to explore. Taormina is beautiful. It is lovely to see the Italian families out with their children. It has a very relaxed feel to it. The good thing about not eating out these days is the price of meals and also the choice. I would have taken hours to chose where to go. Now these days I just don't have that worry.
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| A rather long flappy bit! |
I wanted to listen to some opera when I was here and I was on my way home via the Coop for more water when I saw some opera being advertised and it was for that evening, in fact, 30 minutes later. I thought sod it, let's go. So I purchased a ticket and went. I am so pleased I did. However, I did have some crazy thoughts. The tenor was a young guy who had the most strange quiff of hair. I was quite transfixed on it. Then the soprano took to the stage and my thought process changed to the Only Fools and Horses episode with Raquel and Angelino! If you do not know what I am talking about, take a look:
That episode always makes me laugh so much. The opera on the other hand was very good and so was the piano player too. It made me realise how beautiful singing can be (well now when I sing) and how wonderful the Italian language sounds. I did not have a clue what they were singing about but I do know that I thoroughly enjoyed it.
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| View from my apartment |
By now it was 11.30pm and it had been a long day (I was up at 4.00am) so it was back to my accommodation, quick shower and bed. I slept so well. It is good to be back on my travels. I wonder what the rest of the journey will bring me.
As always, with my love.
Karen
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