Italy - Day 4: Florence & Terni...

Once again, the weather decided to play havoc with my itinerary.

Originally, my Saturday was supposed to be spent on the Amalfi Coast, but the Amalfi Coast was being hammered with rain on Saturday, so I went in the opposite direction, north to Florence.

As much as I had planned for this to be a day trip (it's less than three hours from Rome), I could've spent, easily, two or three days exploring . If nothing else, that would've afforded me enough time to visit the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore.

The Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore...

The cathedral was started in the year 1296 and completed in 1436. When it was built, and for a long time after, the dome was the largest in the world. It remains the largest brick dome ever constructed.

But, as you might imagine, it's also very popular with the tourists (you know, people like me). So, the line literally wrapped around the building, and the wait to enter was almost three hours. It just wasn't possible to visit it with the other exploring I wanted to do. One day, however, I will return and visit. The outside of it almost demands that I do.

The line encircling the cathedral...

The line encircling the cathedral...

The thing about Italy though, is that if you want to visit an ornate church or cathedral, you really don't have to go very far at all, and this is certainly true in Florence as it is anywhere else. Instead of waiting on an impossibly long line, I opted to seek out smaller churches. You see, one thing all of these churches and cathedrals have in common is that they are spectacularly ornate so, photographically speaking, there are always subjects within walking distance.

One such church was the Badia Florentina, which is situated on the Via del Proconsolo in the middle of Florence. Rather unassuming on the outside, it's pretty stunning on the inside:

The interior of the Badia Florentina...

Another such church was the Chiesa di San Firenze, built in the year 1251. It's pretty ornate for a Franciscan church, but that just makes it all the more interesting.

But, of course, churches aren't the only things in existence to photograph. Any old building, a town square; even people can offer up a myriad of photo ops. This old guy was walking along with his wife, who was gabbing away on her cell phone:

Old Italian men make great subjects...

The town square was a vibrant place to be, with street performers (playing bluegrass, of all things), a carousel and any measure of this or that taking place. There were also the con artists and pickpockets, so mind your wallets.

 

 

I can only assume that the square was as lively as it was because it was a Saturday but, being that it's in Italy, it's a fair bet that the place is kickin' seven days a week.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to commit to the three or four days I'm sure it would take to properly explore Florence. I had another stop I wanted to make before getting back to Rome, and it was a bit of a drive.

The Cascata delle Marmore is a man-made waterfall; the highest man-made waterfall in the world. Its three sections total 541 feet. It was not all constructed at the same time and, in fact, took over two millenia to complete. It started with the construction of a canal in the year 271 BC, but wasn't finally completed until 1787.

It's awe inspiring to see up close, but don't forget to buy a poncho, as you will get wet.

The Cascata della Marmore...

Yours truly at the Cascata della Marmore in Terni, Italy...

A panoramic view of the Cascata della Marmore...

Now, while I opted to stay in the dryer reaches at the falls (after all, I had my camera gear to consider), you can certainly go exploring into places where you will get, well, soaked. We're talking head to toe, drenched to the bone soaked. One couple I saw looked like they'd been submerged, but they were smiling!

With my time growing short, I decided to pack up my gear, including my cool new bluetooth tripod/selfie stick. This was the first place I'd used it, and I love this thing. A friend's mother, in San Diego, is turning 90 this weekend, and I was able to use it to record a birthday greeting since I can't be there for the party.

This thing truly is a very cool product by Fugetek that will seriously up your selfie game.

Spend the $24 to get one of these things...

Being a photographer can certainly have its downside. For instance, I'll often get so wrapped up in what I'm doing that I'll forget to do things. Things like, I dunno'... eat. It was going for 5:00pm when I realized I hadn't had a single thing to eat since the small breakfast I had, so I decided to drive away from the main roads and into the countryside a bit to see if I could find someplace to eat.

Mission accomplished.

I stumbled across this little pizzaria called Il Ristoro Del Folle, not far from the Cascata della Marmore. The proprietor didn't speak a lick of English and I, of course, don't speak Italian. However, we shared that universal language of pizza.

Il Ristoro Del Folle

Now, having grown up in New York, I like to think I know a few things about really good pizza. More than a few people have asked me to compare pizza here in the United States to the pizza I had in Italy. Well, I don't know that a fair comparison can be made. It's very different, but also ridiculously good. At Il Ristoro Del Folle, the pizza I ordered had an almost paper-thin crust; nothing like you would find here. But the taste? Wow... it was so very good! Molto bene!

I ordered two cheese slices and grabbed a can of Coke from the cooler. All I had to do was point to the pizza and hold up two fingers; words need not be spoken. It was so good that, looking back at where he had the pizza laid out, I saw that there was just one slice of this delectable pie remaining, so I opted to relieve him of that, as well.

It's entirely possible that this could be the best pizza in all of Italy. It was certainly the best I had during my trip...

Three slices and a coke came to €6.50, or about $7.25 (US). I dropped a €2 coin on the counter as I left. Tipping, generally speaking, isn't required in Europe, but this was just such a fun experience I decided it had to be done. So, for less than ten bucks I had an amazing experience which completely transcended any language barrier.

The proprietor shouted out a hardy "Grazie!" as I walked through the door, and I was gone.

It took a little over an hour to get back to my hotel in Rome, and I was spent when I got there. I got to the task of downloading the 427 images I took that day, brewed some tea, and called it a day.

Sunday, you see, would be the longest day of the entire trip, and another adventure all together...

Italy - Day 3: Pescara

As much as I wish it wasn't the case, you can't have everything.

While I had made up an itinerary for my trip, the fact that the whole purpose of this trip was photography meant that whatever plans I'd made would be impacted by the weather. This became quite evident on Friday, my second full day in Italy.

Since it was raining in Rome, Amalfi and Florence, I decided to head to Pescara, on the Adriatic Sea. Why? I dunno'. Why not? I've sailed on many of the globes seas and oceans, but I've never been to the Adriatic. Believe it or not, that was my sole motivation for going.

 Unfortunately, there wasn't a lot there to photograph. The first thing I did was get some lunch. Now, while visiting someplace off the beaten path like Pescara can be nice, but make no mistake, it can be difficult. It's difficult primarily because you're far less likely to find someone who speaks English.

Some things transcend language, though, as this was brought to my table as soon as I sat down:

That's an anchovy on the cracker in the back, salmon on the front cracker. I'd never eaten an anchovy before...

When you're ordering lunch and dealing with a language barrier, dining can be an outright adventure. I don't know that I would normally order something like this but, hey, what the Hell...

This was one damn tasty lunch...

 

And it's served to the table in the pan it was prepared in...

All told, with the prosecco served with the appetizer, the main course, a Coke and an espresso, was €16.50. Not a bad deal for a ridiculously fresh meal.

My whole purpose for making this drive, though, was simply to go to the Adriatic Sea. I got directions and went on my way. It was windy and pretty chilly, but the beach was, well, a beach:

I did think this lifeguard stand was pretty cool, though:

On a less windy day, I suspect the beach would've had far more people on it. But the wind, and the temperature, I'm sure, kept people away.

I decided to head back to Rome and get started on editing photos (it's never ending). I got into the Puegeot, fired it up, and headed west. It was a relatively quick day, especially when compared to some others I had during the trip, but it was good and, while it wasn't "photo heavy", it was "photo satisfying"...

Italy - Day 2: Rome

Having gotten the "lay of the land" a bit on Wednesday, I grabbed the Canon 6D MKII and headed out from my hotel. I was getting a mildly late start on the day, and I knew that would curtail some of my sightseeing, but I was determined to get in as much shooting as I could.

Once again, I subjected myself to the Roman rail system which, admittedly, is probably a lot easier to cope with then I let on. For whatever reason, getting downtown is pretty easy. Getting back is the challenge. But I digress.

I took the train to the "underground (the subway) and took the underground to the Colosseum. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but as soon as you step out of the underground station, well, there it is:

The Colosseum in Rome, Italy...

I suppose it was fitting that this was the first thing I saw as I emerged from the underground. Completed in the year 80 AD, there's probably no site which, in the tourists mind, represents ancient Rome more than the Colosseum.

Located right next to the Colosseum is the Arch of Constantine. The arch was erected by the Roman Senate to commemorate Constantine I's victory over Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312:

The Arch of Constantine, located between the Colosseum and Palantine Hill...

From the Colosseum, I walked up near Palatine Hill, which is the location of the Forum. The line for this was, literally, a quarter of a  mile long, so I opted to not stand in it. Instead, I explored the surrounding area, and came across the Basillica di Santa Francesca Romana, which is the final resting place of Pope Gregory XI. There are no shortage of churches and basilicas in Rome, and this one, while perhaps smaller than many, is pretty impressive:

Inside the Santa Francesca Romana...

The final resting place of Pope Gregory XI, in a chamber located below the altar...

Following my visit to the Basillica di Santa Francesca Romana, I decided to make what would end up being my first of two visits to the Vatican. As a Roman Catholic (albeit a non-practicing one), I can't imagine visiting Rome and not visiting the Vatican. Countless times I've seen it on television, either during a televised Easter service or the election of a new Pope or the death of an old one. I'm not sure what I expected, but in some ways it was much smaller than I expected but, at the same time, was far more grand.

The Vatican city-state didn't actually exist until 1929, but there has been a presence since the year 324, when Constantine authorized the construction of a basilica on the site. The current basilica was started in 1506, but in 1547, Pope Paul III commissioned Michaelangelo to propose a new design. It was finally completed in 1612, when the facade of St. Peter's was finished.

A more extensive collection of photos from the Vatican will be posted in a later entry, but here are some photos from my first visit, which included only the exterior:

 

As I left the Vatican to make my way back to the Colosseum to catch the underground, I passed the Castel San't Angelo. Originally commissioned by the Roman Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself and his family, it's since been used by the Popes as both a fortress and castle. It's now a museum, open to the public.

And, if you recall my comments regarding the Piazza Navona in my last entry, in the movie "Angels & Demons", the Cardinals who were kidnapped were said to be held here prior to being executed.

The Castel San't Angelo, completed in 139AD along the Tiber River...

Now, in my first entry here I mentioned the rail system here. If you're not already familiar with it (and why would you be) and you don't read or speak Italian, it can be tricky. I was faced with this as I was trying to make my way back to my hotel, and the rail system had me throwing my hands up in the air. And, much to my chagrin, the person in the information booth didn't speak English.

However, sooner or later you're likely to run into someone who does speak English. Someone like Christina:

My mass transit guardian angel...,

Christina not only told me where I needed to go and how to get there, but she walked with me to make sure I didn't get lost a second time. I don't know where she was coming from or where she was going, but I know I'll be in her debt for rescuing me from the Roman rail system.


While I may not have visited as many sites as I'd hoped on my first full day in Rome, I have to admit that I'm pretty happy with the images I came away with. Besides, considering I'd only been in the country for around 36 hours, there would be ample opportunity to shoot around Rome again during my stay...

Italy - Day One...

I arrived Wednesday morning after an almost ten hour flight from Charlotte. 

 

Customs and baggage claim was a breeze, and then I got to the car rental. I won't go into the gory details, but Giancarlo, the Avis guy, tried upselling me on this and that and, by the time he was done, he wanted an additional €956 on top of what I'd already paid. According to xe.com, that comes out to a princely $1,079.86 (US). Thanks, but no. 

 

I was going to rent a Citroen and get the GPS they offer (at $25 a day), but he offered me a Peugeot 308, which has a GPS already in it, for the same price as I would've paid for the Citroen and the GPS. I also went ahead and added the prepaid fuel. When all was said and done, I ended up with a car which, once I got someone to change the language of the GPS to English, will serve me well during this trip.

I checked into the hotel and settled into my room. The rain in the forecast never materialized, so I grabbed my G7X MKII and found my way to the local rail line, which takes a little getting used to. 

 

More on that in a later entry.

After lunch at a fresh market mall called "Eataly", I grabbed a cab and made my way down to Piazza Novona. Piazza Navona came into its own in the 15th century, after the city market was transferred there. More recently, it was featured in the Tom Hanks film "Angels & Demons", specifically the fountain entitled Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers).

 

 

Piazza Novona

Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers). In the movie "Angels & Demons, Cardinal Baggia, one of the "preferiti" (a made up term, by the way), is tied to a metal chair and thrown into the fountain. Tom Hanks character, Dr. Robert Langdon, dives into the fountain and, along with other witnesses, intervenes and save Baggia's life...

 

From Piazza Navona I found my way over to the Panthenon. It's said that the Panthenon is the only architecturally perfect building ever constructed. Now, I don't know anything about that, but I know the effect it had on me as I turned a corner and first saw it. I felt the air escape me. It was that impressive. Thousands of people visit every day and, despite that, it didn't really feel crowded or cramped. 

The Panthenon, built in 125 AD. It's the most well preserved building in all of Rome...

The flow of visitors into, and out of, the Panthenon...

Inside the Panthenon, which is the final resting place of King Victor Emanuel II and the artist Raphael...

Following the visit to the Panthenon, I made my way to Trevi Fountain. The fountain was completed in 1762. It's tradition to throw coins into the fountain with your right hand over your left shoulder. Each night, 365 nights a year, workers collect more than €3,000 thrown into the fountain the previous day.

Trevi Fountain...

The crowds around Trevi Fountain is impressive. I had this ideal photographic scene in my head where I walked up (maybe at night or twilight), set up my camera on my little travel tripod, and I get this wonderfully perfect image of the fountain. Well, I honestly don't believe there's not always a crowd there. Ever. Consequently, I may have to be happy with the images I have, but may still give it another go next week.

I had time for one more stop before heading back to my hotel, and that was the Altare della Patri, built as a monument to the first King of a unified Italy, Victor Emanuel II. Construction began in 1885 and was completed in 1935. It  is the largest monument in all of Rome.

Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II...

A fountain at the Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II...

Victor Emanuel II, the first King of Italy...

Not wanting to wrestle with the rail system so early into my first day, I opted for a cab from downtown back to my hotel Yeah, I'll never do that again. But I got back to the hotel in time for dinner at the restaurant, and called it a night. There are a lot of photos left to take of the many things left to see, and I need to put pen to paper to start to prioritize...

Looking Back... And Forward...

Almost six years ago, I left Portland, Oregon on what can only be described as a cross country trip of epic proportions. I spent 25 days on the road with nothing but my camera, and I covered some 5,800 miles doing it. I saw things and did things which, if I'm to be honest with myself, I will probably never see or do again.

And I'm okay with that.

You see, there's a lot out there, and I'm a big proponent of going out and finding it. But, inasmuch as that cross country drive reminded me of what we have right here within our own borders, I'm still acutely aware that there's a great big world out there, with a lot of great big open roads waiting to be traveled.

This whole mindset was reinforced last year when we went to Ireland. It was during that trip that I started to get that "travelin' jones". It was an amazing time, those seven days, and I can only surmise that Ireland has no monopoly on great things. Hence my upcoming travel plans.

Why Italy? Well, I think a better question is "Why not Italy?" From a photographer's perspective, it would be difficult to come up with a more target-rich location. From Vatican City to the Forum to the Panthenon, photo opportunities abound just in Rome. When we add the trips I'll make to Pompei, Florence and points in between, it almost boggles the mind.

But Italy is just the beginning. While I would like to make a second trip to Italy to visit Venice and points north, I don't want to do so at the expense of other locales. As it looks right now, I'll be traveling to Scotland with my daughter in May. She's a photographer and vlogger, so she already knows what she's in for. We hang out well together.

After that? Well, I'd have to refer to the bucket list. Places like Moscow, Russia to photograph Red Square, maybe? The northern lights in Longyearbyen, Norway would be a dream come true. Lisbon, Portugal would be absolutely amazing. There are always places to go and things to see. Interspersed with travel outside our borders will be some travel here at home, as well. I'm going to New York for two weeks in June, and I'm also looking at visiting an old friend and his family in Georgia; maybe in the fall.

I'm not entirely sure when it happened, but I decided that I wanted to create experiences for myself. I don't want to spend my life sitting at my desk and counting my nickels, making sure I have enough when the rent comes due (I always do, by the way!). I don't want to be lying on my deathbed regretting the fact that I'd done everything in my power to do exactly what others expected me to do. When I announced I was going on this trip to Italy, and that I was going alone, more than a few eyebrows were raised. I kinda' liked that.

This is how I see it: Don't wait. You're never going to be as young as you are right now, and traveling doesn't get any easier the older you get. Make the commitment to treat yourself well. Decide to give yourself the experiences you so richly deserve before you get too old to truly enjoy the ride.

And don't forget to take pictures. Take a lot of pictures...

Packing...

Whenever you're packing for a trip; be it an extended vacation or just a quick weekend getaway, there will inevitably come a time when you ask yourself that one question travelers have pondered since the dawn of time: "Have I packed too much?"

Generally speaking, if you feel you need to sincerely ask yourself that question, the answer is probably a resounding "yes". After all, you never want to risk forgetting something, so it's not any great leap of logic to think you might be taking a bit too much. And that's perfectly okay.

Usually.

The obvious downside of packing too much is that it's quite possible you'll run afoul of the 50lb maximum allowed by most airlines for a checked bag. If you do this, you're going to pay for it. Charges usually range from around $35 to $50, depending on the airline. And, if your fare is one which requires you to pay a fee to check your first bag, well, your suitcase could end up becoming a rather pricey commodity.

If you're flying internationally, odds are your first suitcase will be free of charge, assuming you don't over-pack and incur a fee for that. However, if you're unable to get your bag in at under 50lbs, consider a second suitcase. This will accomplish a couple of things. First, it's often less expensive to check a second bag than it is to pay the additional overweight fee for the first bag. And, depending on your fare, you may get the second bag free, as well. Second, if you have two suitcases, you can spread the weight between the two, all but guaranteeing that you don't incur the additional fee (and, if you do incur that fee with two bags, you probably are taking too much). Lastly, it gives you more room for those all important souvenirs on your return trip.

On this last point, this is when I'll suck it up and pay an additional charge for an overweight bag. I like to bring home souvenirs and gifts from my travels, and I don't want a weight consideration to keep me from doing that. I simply include the extra amount into my overall travel budget and, if I have to pay it, so be it. 

Something I've started using is something I should've been using long before now: a check list. I typed out a simple Google Doc which I can print out and check off items as I pack. It sounds simple enough and, well, it actually is. Which is exactly why you should do it. It makes no sense to risk forgetting something when ensuring you have it is so easy.

My check list is divided into two sections: what I'm packing in my suitcase and what I'm packing in my carry-on. Include everything. Bringing your laptop? Don't forget to list the power cord, as well; stuff like that. Dumb, I know, but more than once I've found myself running out to a store after arriving at my destination to find something I'd forgotten at home.

Valuables excepted, anything that you don't need until you reach your destination should go in your checked suitcase whenever possible. Airlines are getting more and more strict on what they will and won't allow as a carry-on, and even rolling "spinner" bags, which are designed for the overhead compartments, are routinely gate-checked due to space considerations.

Packing doesn't have to be difficult, and it sure doesn't need to be stressful. Approach it logically and you'll successfully avoid one of the primary causes of traveler angst...

Just One Week...

Well, seven days from right now I'll be over the Atlantic on an American Airlines Airbus A330-300 (flight AA720, seat 32E for those of you keeping score), flying out of Charlotte, North Carolina en route to Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Rome. At this point, all the big things (hotel reservations and rental cars) are taken care of. Now it's time to take care of the little things. Forgetting about the little things can make a would-be great trip a disaster.

When traveling, the last thing you want to have happen is for your credit or debit card to be declined because your financial institution identifies your purchase of a cannoli and an espresso in Florence as "unusual activity". As obvious as this always seems after the fact, the reality is that it's not an uncommon occurrence at all. I've had this happen before, and it can be mildly embarrassing. Thankfully, though, it's easy enough to take care of this before ever leaving the ground at you home airport.

Every debit and credit card in the world has a toll free number on the back of it. Just call that number and follow the prompts to enter the dates you'll be traveling and, boom. Done.

Now, here in the good ol' U.S. of A. we have AC power that we can get to just by sticking our little two or three prong plugs into the wall socket, and pretty much everything we plug into a wall socket runs on 115 volts. Unfortunately, once you head overseas, this changes. This changes a lot. The reason it changes a lot is that, depending where you go, the wall outlets are a lot different than what we're used to here, and the plugs vary greatly from country to country. So, you'll need to not only pick up a power adapter (I actually recommend at least two of them), but you need to be sure you're buying the proper adapter for where you'll be traveling.

When we went to Ireland last year, we used these:

These worked great in Ireland but, sadly, they're not going to work in Italy. So, off I went to my local TravelPro store (where I purchased my suitcase last year) to pick up the adapters I'll need.

There are a myriad of adapters that are available and, to be honest, I can't imagine that there are any huge differences between most of them. So, I go with the Austin House brand,, which is a division of TravelPro (just in case you're looking for them online). You can find them all over, though, including Amazon.
 

One glance is all you need to see that this one is very different than what we used in Dublin:

 

Now, when it comes to luggage, there are some undeniable truths:

• One day, an airline will lose your luggage
• The airline will only lose your luggage at the start of your vacation, never the end
• That paper ID tag you got at the check-in counter will barely make it past baggage handlers
• When you do get your luggage back it'll look like elves have partied amongst your belongings.

While I've had luggage "misdirected" at times, I've always gotten it delivered within a few hours, save for one trip to Montreal where Air Canada actually sent someone to my hotel to take me shopping because my suitcase was on its way to Brazil (I got it three days later).

With regards to this, it's important that you take at least a minimum degree of care to protect your belongings. Again we turn to TravelPro and Austin House. First, name tags. While every airline offers you those cheap name tags at the ticket counter, they're absolute garbage. They're made of paper and elastic string and you'll be lucky if it makes it through to your destination.

Instead, drop a whopping $8 on a pair of sturdy ID tags:

In a post 9/11 world, everything that's going onto an airplane gets scrutinized. A lock for your luggage isn't really too much of a deterrent for even a mildly motivated thief, but it can help keep the bag closed when it's subjected to overzealous baggage handlers. If you choose to use a lock, make sure you use a TSA approved lock. You'll know right away if it is by the red diamond on the lock case.

These locks can be opened at every single security screening point in the United States and Canada, as well as many airports overseas. They can be opened by security personnel to allow for inspection of your suitcase and then locked again.

Lastly, let's discuss cash.I like cash. I like cash a lot. But you have to be careful when exchanging it overseas, because you want to get the best conversion rate possible while being as safe as possible.

Right now (11:12pm EST on April 2, 2019, the current rate is, according to XE.com, $1 (US) to €.8912. So, if I exchange exchanged $1,000 (US) I could expect to get €891.20. But that's not really how it works. You see, this doesn't take into account any service fee or commission you might pay to whoever is exchanging your cash. It's usually a small amount, but it can take you by surprise when you expect €891.20 but only actually receive €827.90 instead.

AAA offers a service called AAA Travel Money and it works like this: You go to the AAA website (you need to be a member and, by the way, why aren't you?) and navigate your way to the Travel Money site, which is actually operated by Travelex. You simply enter either the amount you want to exchange or the amount of the foreign currency you want, pay via credit card, and the money is delivered to you the next day (signature required, of course). You can order your money as far as 21 days out from your tip, and you can even have it placed on a Travelex money card. Not being familiar with their money card, I'm opting for the cash. I know I'll probably exchange more at some point while I'm in Italy, but it'll be nice to have cash on hand.

If you're going to be renting a car, check to see if the country (or countries) in which you'll be driving that car require you to have an International Driving Permit (IDP). In many countries your driver's license and passport are sufficient. In others, however (like Italy) you need to have one, and it's only valid when presented with your driver's license. The car rental agency may never ask you for it. If you're asked for it by a police officer, though, you'd better have it or you risk what could be a heavy fine.

I'm worldwide, baby...

All that said, I haven't yet fully determined the purpose of it. I didn't have to take any type of test to get mine. Tripsavvy says that it translates your license into different languages, but I don't know how it would do that. I just had to pay $20, get my picture taken and now I'm legit. Only two agencies in the United States issue these permits: the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance. If you try to acquire an IDP through any other agency or outlet, it's a scam.

Lastly, don't forget your passport. I know this is probably the most obvious thing to remember, but that's also why it's so often forgotten. If you have a connecting flight here in the States, you'll get there an no further. Also, check the expiration date. Passports are good for a period of ten years, but you'll often be denied entry into a foreign country if your passport expires within six months of your arrival.

There are, of course, numerous other "little things" that need to be thought about and addressed, but these are the ones which I think are pretty important to keep at the forefront of your mind while you're making those final travel preparations.

Oh, and it's after midnight. T-minus 6...