Highlights-Florence to Valencia
I was gazing into a pastry display case, contemplating which one would a) taste good and b) not fall apart in my hand when I heard several _bon giorno’_s in the caffe. No one was behind the counter. Pastry contemplation takes most of my available brain power (at least in Italy) so it took me a few moments to realize the voice was behind me. It was the old “offer counter service nowhere near the counter” trick. Even with late apartment checkout, I still have two and a half hours from my exit to train departure. What to do? I passed a Starbucks along the way and the answer presented itself quickly: somewhere to sit with wifi and air conditioning (the coffee was incidental). The high-speed train deposited me in Bologna and I schlepped my way from the underground level to the highest level to catch the Marconi Express to the airport. It’s an “express” only after you board. Before, it is a “wait in long lines with no air-conditioning” train. I had to wait two fifty passenger fill-up cycles. After clearing airport security, the “gate isn’t posted“ waiting area seating was limited. There was no Food Court seating so I went to the sit down restaurant. I stood for a while behind a velvet rope barrier because the staff had some quirky ideas about restaurant service. We boarded and de-boarded the airplane without a ramp even though the airport had them (possibly a money saving maneuver by Ryan Air). In Valencia, it was a smooth process walking from the gate to the Metro. Smooth except for the part where Ralph tried to “tap through” the turnstile with his phone and couldn't (rechargeable tickets only). I had enough time after apartment arrival and bag drop for a speed run to the supermarket level of El Corte Inglés for water, juice, and super-under-ripe bananas (I may not get to eat them).