Libya - A Total Eclipse - An Intergenerational Travel Adventure

by six steps 
Libya - A Total Eclipse - An Intergenerational Travel Adventure

With Libya in the news again I've been thinking about my trip there in 2006 and how my experience was enhanced by the kindness of ordinary people. Maybe I got special treatment -- my travel buddy was my 9-year-old grandson and I'll go on record to say that there could not be a better duo! A grandma and a cute kid will open doors the world over.I'm a solar observer and the golden grail is a total solar eclipse. The eclipse of March 29th 2006 path of Totality covered a swath of the North Africa, and Libya was forecast to get around four minutes of totality. Hog heaven.I signed up for an eclipse tour sponsored by Sky and Telescope Magazine but when I saw the singles supplement cost I had second thoughts; in casual after dinner talk with my daughter and son-in-law I broached the possibility of taking Ben. Their response was a heartening "we trust you and what an awesome experience for him". It was an awesome experience for both of us.Ben and I flew out Tucson to Heathrow via BA (direct overnight flight) and despite ample time to make our connecting flight to Milan, horrendous lines at Terminal 4 security meant we missed the connection and did not arrive in Milan until 10 p.m. Six weeks ago, another negative experience at Heathrow served to reaffirm my resolve to avoid Heathrow if at all possible. A hair-raising taxi ride to our hotel -- our driver seemed intent on overtaking anything that moved. Always ask an Italian taxi driver to show you his tariff card prior to getting in the cab and avoid surprises at the end of the ride. Set routes such as airports to hotels have a government approved and enforced tariff.I'd promised Ben that his first night in Italy he could eat pasta and gelato! He held me to that so midnight found us sitting at sidewalk cafe, the Duomo in clear view and this child chowing down on a massive plate of pasta and sausage. He took his gelato to go and we strolled the Duomo Plaza much like seasoned Italians. What fun.We had to get to Genoa by 4:00p.m. where we were to meet up with our group and the Italian Cruise ship. A quick Internet search in the hotel lobby and I figured the 2:00p.m train would be perfect timing. Italian trains can be a great bargain. Think of all the possible discounts (group, mid day travel) and ask! For Ben and I it was a senior fare and a child fare. Not offered at the ticket window but once I asked, no problem and the discount was around 35% over regular fare. We spent the morning in Milan visiting the Ferrari shop -- kid friendly and what boy hasn't heard of a Ferrari. The salesman was taken by Ben's enthusiasm and gave him a baseball cap with the Ferrari logo

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