Italy 2023, Day 16: Milan to Norfolk Virginia (USA)

There's not much to tell on this day. We got up early, and, not knowing the trolly schedule, we jacklegged our packs and carry-ons down the early morning streets to the subway station at Saint Agostino. We got to the Milan airport, checked in, and dropped off our only checked bag, my world-travelled, Southampton College cross country Atlantis duffel. Bon voyage!

We snaked our way through the lines and metal detectors, and finally boarded our plane to Norfolk by way of New York. When we arrived in NY Kathi got her jollies and snapped this picture as I was searched while going through customs. The security guard thought the triangles of parmesan cheese were owefully suspicious.

Leave it to the Americans to feel threatened by real Parmigiano-Reggiano! You can tell by my posture, I was not pleased! 

 After a long layover in NY we boarded our flight to Norfolk. We got in at around 11pm, which is de rigor for these transatlantic flights. We were glad to be home, but being suddenly immersed in American culture made our amazing experiences in Parma, Lake Garda, the Dolomites, Varenna and Lake Como, Camogli, San Frutuosso, Moneglia, Portovenere and Riomaggiore feel like they had occurred far away and long ago.

On the trip, we talked a lot about traveling and traveling companions. Now, our Walter Mitty wish is that we can return to Italy one day and rent a house for the summer so we can slow down and explore many more of the nooks and crannies in the small towns that dot the Italian landscape. We will be back!