May Day!

It’s May 1 – May Day—when Workers’ Day commemorates the struggles and gains made by workers and the labor movement, woven from ancient pagan traditions and medieval customs. Back in the day (May Day!), it evolved from a celebration of spring and fertility to a day honoring workers’ rights and achievements.

What would we do if we didn’t work? Our world would not have moved forward if not for those who came before and cleared land, invented tools, and hunted and gathered. So, celebrating all workers in all countries encourages us to value and respect people’s work and how we count on their commitment and services.

Except two years ago on May Day, when @BillTomoff tried to fly out of Marseille Airport in France. He had French-speaking help, a ticket but no seat, and was S.O.L. in getting out that day back to the US. He came to find out that his flight back to BWI had been canceled, and flying to Dulles Airport on May 2 was the only option. However, we were never notified of the change. Thankfully, the airline set him up at a nearby hotel with food vouchers, but they were adamant he had to fly home on May 2.

It didn’t surprise me. Could it have been a May Day snafu? Who knows?

Around Europe, May Day is celebrated in different ways. In France, labor strikes occur in areas to get the government’s attention, but they could happen anywhere. Maybe the flight staff didn’t show up for Bill’s flight in a silent protest over some labor dispute. I guess we will never know.

My internal gut says not to fly in or out of Europe on May 1.

So, when our son Ryan mentioned wanting to "try" Italy after our European trip to England and France in 2023, how could we resist? A cooking class was at the top of his adult wish trip list.

With gobs of planning, we are flying to Florence, Italy, tomorrow, May 2 (one of my happy places on Earth). Oh, and we have tickets to the Vatican Museum in Rome on May 5, the same time as the Conclave will be there to elect the new pope. Disappointingly, there will be no Sistine Chapel on this trip. Still, there are many things to see and do besides seeing those lovely painted frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel (1508–12), by Michelangelo (I’ve seen it, but my five traveling companions haven’t!).

I sure hope we can see the Pietá!

Ciao!

Terri

Photos of the Sistine Chapel from Unsplash 1) Airbr3akr.ZH and 2) Calvin Craig (It's not the same rush as seeing it in real life!).