Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 51166 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51166 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
After the meal, Fiero takes a small bag into the bathroom and comes back freshly shaven and looking much brighter than I feel. I take a turn, wash my face, and put on makeup as best I can in the compact space.
Soon, we’ve landed, and as we deplane, Matteo comes in close to embrace me. “Welcome to Italy!”
My grogginess instantly dissolves. I’m in Italy! A week to spend in a beautiful country with my two favorite men. Even though I only had a few hours of sleep, I suddenly feel like dancing.
“What’s next? Do we catch another flight to Naples, or do we drive from here?”
“We’ll take the train to Naples, but first we have another flight,” Fiero says with a grin. When I give him a quizzical look, he only continues to smile. “Andiamo, let’s go.”
The three of us make our way through customs and then to the taxi line, where Matteo hails a ride. We’re in the small car for over half an hour, traveling on what are mostly nondescript highways, before I finally ask where we’re going.
“It’s a surprise, bella.” Fiero’s smile is very promising, so I remain patient until we reach our destination: another airport, this one much smaller than the one we just left. There, we’re led out to a waiting helicopter.
“What’s going on?”
Fiero simply squeezes my hand as we board the craft. Inside, the three of us sit together on a bench seat where we put on seatbelts and headsets, and then we’re off, lifting up over the city.
A helicopter ride is another thing I’ve never done before, and I grip both Fiero and Matteo’s legs on either side of me as we angle into a turn. I imagine this is what it must feel like to ride a magic carpet.
The view from our taxi hadn’t been very noteworthy, but the scenery from above is instantly riveting, distracting me from the funny feelings bubbling in my stomach.
As we head toward Rome’s center, Matteo pulls a bottle of champagne from a compartment and pours a glass for each of us, handing mine to me first. “In case you’re feeling nervous.”
First-class travel, a helicopter tour with champagne – I’m starting to suspect that I made the wrong assumptions about the Bestias’ financial situation.
The pilot begins to point out landmarks as we sail over a sea of terracotta rooftops and golden, sun-baked buildings that look like they’ve been there for an eternity. I see the Colosseum and the ancient ruins of the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, the Pantheon, and Vatican City with its famous dome. Due to flight restrictions, we can’t get very close to all of the landmarks, but it’s a stunning overview of an amazing city.
“We’ll come back sometime and see the sights from the ground,” Matteo says. I’m confused by his comment, since I thought we were staying in the area around his village for this trip, but I let it pass. I can’t imagine that there will be a next time, at least not with them. I suppose it is possible I could come to visit them someday, but that is surely just a pipe dream.
Our flight is over much too soon, and I’m sad when we settle back down at the airport, until I remember that my adventure in Italy is only just beginning.
Our next taxi ride takes us straight into the city we just flew over. I feel as excited as a kid at Christmas as I gape at the scenery we pass: ancient buildings, ornate fountains, small cafes, and hundreds of stylish, modern Romans going about their daily life.
This time, we’re headed to the train station, but first we have a late lunch in a small restaurant near the terminal. Matteo and Fiero seem pleased, but not necessarily impressed, with their meals. I, on the other hand, rave about the flavors with nearly every bite, and decide that Italian food in the US is not doing justice to the real thing.
Our meal is leisurely, which Fiero explains is the custom. Other diners also relax after eating, spending a long time talking after they eat rather than feeling a need to vacate the table in the busy restaurant and rush off to their next activity.
At the station, we’ve just missed a train, so we have to wait. After the heavy meal, my lack of sleep catches up with me and I fight to stay awake as I lean against Fiero on the bench. Once we’re on the train, I have the same struggle, trying to keep my eyes open so that I don’t miss the remarkable scenery we’re passing, including aqueducts built by the Roman Empire and beautiful coastal towns, the setting sun bathing them in a warm glow.
In Naples, we catch another cab, and I come close to drifting off several times as we finally make our way to Matteo and Fiero’s village. It’s quite late now – I assume their family will have long since gone to bed – and I’m looking forward to being in a bed soon myself.