Day 12
I was up most the night in anticipation of the flights.
I went for a walk when it was daylight and had a final coffee and Italian pastry and tried to relax and bond with Italy once again.
I called to book a taxi for 1130am which surprisingly arrived given they only spoke Italian. I got the the airport and waited outside a little while to compose myself and join the Emirates check in line again.
I went in and no one was in line so was seen straight away. I handed over my passport, digital passport declaration, vaccination, flight confirmation and finally the negative covid result. All accepted! He said I would have to go through the Covid screening again in Dubai to be allowed into Australia so not 100% home yet but allowed out of Italy.
With 3 hours to spare before the flight took off, normally I’d go shopping, eat, order a drink and relax but I headed straight to the gate and was the first person there, and waited patiently for the flight to take off. I have always loved travel and adventure and now all I could think about was the plane being hijacked and crashing so just wanted to get through the fist flight to calm my nerves.
I’m happy to report that there were no other issues along the way and pleased to say 24 hours later I have landed in Sydney exactly 11 days after I was initially due to come home.
I’ve been gone from the family for exactly a month (plus 3 more days away from Hayley and Ben as she has Covid the week I was leaving) so am ready to catch up with everyone including endless snuggles from Loki. The longest I’ve ever been gone in the past is 2 weeks, so it will take some time on both sides to get used to being back again.
I’m really hoping I can take the first 3 weeks of my amazing Italy experience, and hold onto that for a very long time and the final 12 days will become a distant memory.
Thank you everyone for all your encouragement, helpful advice, to the lawyers and embassy/consulate available 24/7 and to my amazing family and friends, you really helped me navigate out of this crazy situation. I cannot wait to hug those who are local, and see my Italian and UK friends again in the not too distant future.
I’ve never been to happy to be back in Sydney, and was welcomed by the entire Gunzie team at the airport (my 4 favourite people in the world), had huge snuggles with Loki at home and was welcomed with flowers and a Cake Cave Official Polly spectacular (which is exciting as we never get to eat them).
Now is time to sleep!
