When Bubbles Burst
 
Our son Christopher is studying in Rome this fall.  So far things are going very well for both Christopher and his wife, Katie.  Nevertheless, Becky and I have planned a trip for November just to check up on things. Parents’ duties never end. 
 
Back in July I booked our flights.  The good news is that I was really smart and got them at a good price.  The bad news is that the flights are on Alitalia, the Italian national airline.  Alitalia is now on the brink of insolvency and may be belly up within a week.  But there’s some good news for us.  I was really smart and bought travel insurance when I booked the flights, and we should be able to get our money back and rebook on a more financially secure airline, if there is such a thing.  The bad news is that the travel insurance is from AIG.  AIG is now on the brink of insolvency and save for an $85 billion bailout by the government probably would be belly up already.  Maybe I’m not as smart as I thought. Continue Reading »