If It’s Tuesday, This Must Be Frankfurt
November 9, 2012 by orvietoorbust
All packed and nowhere to go.
Hurricane Sandy, like the Icelandic Volcano several years before it, had rearranged my date of departure leaving me cooling my jets in California for another week. You know how it is when you’re ready to go somewhere – a delay can be a huge letdown. My friend calls it “premature elation”. On the bright side, it was great to hang out with my Mom and Andrew a little bit longer, but after seven days on hold I decided to reroute my trip and fly to Frankfurt instead.
Am I becoming one of those people who always has a story?
On Tuesday I arrived in Frankfurt without incident, carrying everything I own crammed into two seventy-pound suitcases. I literally lumbered over to the DB Bahn desk for a train ticket to Italy. I explained to the young reservationist that I must be on the next train to Orvieto, Italy. She said the train to Munich was leaving in exactly twelve minutes, so I slapped down my credit card and took off like a bat out of hell – I hopped onto the train with just minutes to spare! I enjoyed the German countryside, but my train arrived in Munich late, so I had to make a run for it (with two heavy bags, “run” would be an overstatement). The conductor announced they would be pulling away from the station in 30 seconds so I flung my bags onto the last carriage – I think I have a hernia now. But really, the important thing is I was on my way to Orvieto at last!
I took a seat by the window and looked out at the passing cities of Nuremberg, Innsbruck, Trento…oh sh*t! I took the wrong train! Apparently “Rovereto” is not the German word for “Orvieto”, but actually a town near Verona. Oh well, at least I was traveling in the right direction.
In Verona, my friendly Austrian conductor, Arnold, offered to let me tag along with the train employees to their hotel and even convinced the front desk to give me a good rate. A pizza, a shower and a good night’s sleep was just what the doctor ordered.
In the morning I was on the train to Orvieto via Bologna. I met a lovely veterinarian from Rome, Marco, who helped me get my bags (or as he referred to them, my armadi (wardrobes)) off of the train at Bologna Centrale and three hours later I arrived at my new home. My friend heard my bags rolling down the marble stairs all the way from the station lobby. She remarked how lucky I was to have avoided the excess baggage charges by the airline. Yeah, I am lucky.
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Posted in Expat in Italy, Italy, Living in Italy, Orvieto, Travel | Tagged Bologna, DB Bahn, Frankfurt Germany, Hurricane Sandy, Innsbruck, Munich Germany, Nuremberg, orvieto italy, Rome, Travel to Italy, Trento, Verona | 14 Comments
Orvieto or Bust: 
What a journey Toni, but at least you have now arrived in Orvieto 🙂 I love how Marco from Rome called your suitcases armadi! I’m impressed you managed to move them.
Ciao Cathy,
You’re impressed? I wasn’t sure how I was going to do it, but I didn’t name this blog what I named it for nothing! How are you doing in the UK?
Yeah what a journey you had .. and so great that the guy at the Verona helped you too … SO is that it now .. Have you moved?? Yes like Cathy I am impressed with how you moved your suitcases .. 🙂
Anne, yep finally moved in and working away. It’s amazing what you can do when you set your mind to it, right? I have to say I couldn’t have done it without the kindness of strangers. hugs.t
Toni…brava! Determination and a sense of humor…love it. Thinking I need to get back on track with my Italian passport (many false starts)…but in meantime love your story as life’s serendipities can bring so many unexpected kindnesses and adventures…Abbracci!
Brava, Toni! Determination and a sense of humor are the best things to pack…and you have both. You’re motivating me to revisit possibility of getting my Italian passport :D. Also thinking life and serendipities brin unexpected adventures! Abbracci.
Thanks so much for the virtual “high five”. If I am nothing, I am determined…adventures galore in my future. hugs.t
Welcome to the beginning of your DREAM LIFE!!! Looking forward to that coffee in Orvieto 🙂 Ingrid xo
Ingrid, Thanks girlfriend. Looking forward to that coffee and maybe lunch….dinner. Stay warm. hugs. t
Hi Toni… I didn’t have a chance to say farewell and wish you the best, but I always live vicariously through Suzze’s accounts of your exciting life! It was so great to “bump into” you at Peet’s a few months ago and I just wanted to wish you well! Maybe Suzee and I will visit Orvieto someday… if there’s a yoga opportunity close by, I’m sure we will… or even if there isn’t!
Fondly, Gail
Carissima!!!! Bentornata. Such a homecoming, deserved a mini saga on the way. To make it even more memorable. I am speechless with glee for you right now, reading this. Now stay put. Arrivo. Prima o poi. Huge hugs my dear friend….Welcome home for good! xx
Toni,
Are you anywhere near the flooding?
Bud
Welcome to Orvieto at last Toni 🙂
Hi Linda,
Thanks so much for the welcome. It’s good to finally be here and catch my breath and get on with life in Italy. Hugs.toni