Rome Day 7...August 9, 2011

Since there was someone else renting the apartment beginning this afternoon we needed to be our by 10:00.  We arranged for a cab to take us to the airport and then realized that we’d have a lot of downtime seeing as our flight to Zurich wasn’t until 3:00.  We were at the airport by 11:00.  We couldn’t check-in online for some reason and Swiss air doesn’t allow for in-person check in prior to two hours before flight time.  So…we waited.  We looked at our pictures, ate some lunch, looked through some stores…and then it was our time to wait in line.  We had no issues with either flight.  The worrying came when we got back to London and learned that the tube (underground metro-type system) was a mess due to both construction and the effects of the rioting.  Although we were in NO DANGER from the riots (it was still early in the day as well!) we could see the effects from them.  There were riot shields out and extra visible police at the stations.  We didn’t know what would be easier/faster 1-the tube or 2-a taxi.  But seeing as it was the heart of rush hour we decided to try our luck on the tube…if it was awful…we’d get off and switch to a cab.  And wouldn’t you know…it was JUST FINE!  Even the station they said was closed due to over-crowding was fine when we were there.  We even made it to Paddington Station in time to catch the earlier train to Cheltenham!  And had time to grab a few bagel sandwiches!  It was a long day of travel…throughout three countries but we made it home just fine!  And are happy to have a little down time before I return to the States.