Day 1 - Monaco

It was a very long travel day, but everything worked out despite the fact our connection in London Heathrow was a nearly derailed. The plane spent 40 minutes circling London, then another 40 minutes on the tarmac waiting for a gate to open up. LHR is my least favorite airport. Of course we were at the back of the plane, so by the time we pushed our way past all the “leisure travelers,” got our boarding passes and made our way to security, we were told we were too late and our bags would be off loaded. The look on my face said it all…if the plane was still on the ground at the gate, we would make it. Thanks to some very kind travelers in the security line who let us go straight to the front and some Olympic worthy sprinting on our part, we arrived at the gate and had just enough time to catch our breath.

We arrived in Monaco via bus and were greeted at the bus stop near the Casino by Lee & Celine. It was so good to see them both and they walked us to our lodging. We are staying with Father Walter in his apartment under the St. Paul's Church. He has 2 guest rooms and is graciously sharing his home with us. His little jack Russell terrier, Sparky, was so excited to have new guests in the house.

After a cup of tea with Father Walter, we decided we needed to keep moving to prevent the jet lag from sinking in. We left our cameras behind and struck out to explore the country which can be done all on foot. It’s been 13 years since I was here last. There are some new buildings, but for the most part, it is still the same cool place that I remember with lots of winding streets and a ton of stairs to climb.

We walked along the waterfront and had lunch at a little patisserie. During lunch, Matt’s phone rang and I saw it was my mom calling. I knew it could only mean one thing…it meant Auntie Do had also taken a journey today, only her trip did not need a passport and meant that we would all be left behind to miss her terribly. The next thing I knew, I found myself at the steps of a tiny little church by the harbor that should be in a picturesque village. When I went inside, there was a statue of St. Anthony (my Pop’s patron saint), so I lit a candle and sat there for awhile asking Pop to watch over Matt and I on our journey and to help welcome Auntie Do to her new home. I will miss her everyday and I wish I could be with my cousins. We are fondly knows as "Auntie's 13" a very elite group that were with her always as she drove around in her BMW. Her license plate said it all!