Finale

Today we spent a half a day in lovely Rome; and then we hailed a cab to take us to a hotel that was very near Marco Polo Airport.  It has shuttle service to the airport.

That was a good call on Jack's behalf.  Otherwise we'd be up at about 4AM trying to hail a cab from our little apartment.  Not a good idea.  Our plane leaves very early and we had to go through customs, check in - British Airways is a lovely carrier, but their website is dreadful for checking in - and get a refund on the taxes we'd paid on several items.  So, our slate was full at a very early hour.

But we made it, with time to spare.

When a major project is completed at work, there's always a "lessons learned" meeting.  Here is what I've learned from our 6-week sojourn:

• Always, always fly first class across the Big Pond.  I won't fly if I can't.  And you shouldn't.

• It's worth the price of a first class ticket to stay in the British Airways lounge in Heathrow.  I promise.

• Travel with ONE BAG -- a roller.  No more.  I packed a bunch of little short-tailed dresses that I never wore.  Typical of a Las Vegas mentality, I guess.  Shoulda packed more pants; and more underwear.

• We purchased $50 worth of  Las Vegas "trinkets" - key chains with logos, fake casino chips.  We should have doubled down.  Everyone we gave a trinket to was absolutely thrilled.  Another great idea from Jack.  Another good reason why I married him.

• If I had it to do over, I’d have bought this toaster.