Plane travel = nightmare!

Hi everyone,

Well we arrived here safely after a harrowing 24 hours.

Qantas were exceptional with their service and the A380 was brilliant. The seats we had were amazing with plenty of leg room and a bassinet for Luca.

He didn't manage to sleep that much in the bassinet however....but with the sound of the aircraft, the screaming 3 year old 2 seats away and the PA announcements every hour to tell us what food was about to be served..it's no surprise...it just meant Luca was only happy to sleep when cradled by his mummy.

Dave and I are exhausted.

We were Luca's mattress and entertainment system all in one....while he was awake we were trying to keep him amused by walking the length of the plane and juggling him around like a bouncing ball..and then trying to get him off to sleep by rocking and cradling...it was enough to make any one's hairs turn grey. But we made it.

We managed to queue jump a few times (since being with a baby gives you an instant VIP access)...but it was for stupid stuff like getting our passports stamped and our fingers printed. Yes, that's right - we got finger printed as soon as we arrived in LA. Why couldn't we get an upgrade to First Class instead?

We felt like kissing the ground when we arrived in LA.....however, we had to get our bags and go through more security at a different terminal...so we were on the move again...




In the Domestic terminal we passed a Starbucks...and there was no way we were not going in... OMG...I've missed the coffee there and the cup sizes were WELL appreciated (i.e. USA Large = our GIGANTIC!)

I needed every last drop for the energy to cope with the next leg....LA to New York....5 more hours! oh boy!

American Airlines in one word...SUCKS.

We had a long haired hippy serve us (male)..who should've been wearing a hairnet...and an African American gay steward who screamed at people who had their elbows out in the aisle. "Excuse Me, we're coming threeeeew", (whether your alseep or not, we're gonna run you down) and the overly sugar-coated "would you like an orange juice....daaaarling?"

Luca was particularly whingy on this leg.... but still managed a few smiles. He slept like a koala bear on me....arms wrapped around my neck and nuzzling into my shoulder...for at least an hour...

We were seated 3 rows from the back with some Israeli tourists in the last 3 rows all laughing at Luca's big smiles and clicking their fingers to get his attention. One lady even getting a hold...before he started to whinge on her too..and wanted his mummy for more cuddles.

The next bit of travel was enough to make me cry.

We were the last ones to get off the plane...the last ones to get our bags... then discovered our expensive Samsonite bag was broken into by security and damaged...then having to catch an airtrain to a different terminal to get a hire car...and then driving for 1.5 hours to get to Waterbury detouring via the picturesque 'Bronx' district (for taking the wrong exit)....priceless.

We arrived to open arms and big hugs from all The Guerrera's...its good to be here....it was even better to get a solid 7 hour sleep too (Hallelujah!) and a shower...oh bliss!.

In the back of my mind, I'm thinking....we've got to do it all over again in a few weeks time....(I think I shed a little tear)...but we're enjoying every moment.

Photo's to be posted shortly.