It was tapas, tagliatelle and tzatziki for Barrington Irving last week as the 23-year-old pilot moved through the Mediterranean during his attempt to become the youngest person and first African-American to fly solo around the world.
The Miami-based pilot, who spoke recently at York College, arrived in Rome, Italy - one of his most anticipated destinations - on Wednesday, April 11. Rush hour traffic delayed his departure by about one hour, but creative navigation on the part of his driver brought Irving through neighborhoods he wouldn’t otherwise have seen.
After receiving rapid-fire instructions from air traffic controllers with Italian accents while approaching Ciampino Airport during heavy air traffic, Irving arrived in Rome, where he was smitten.
“Walking through the streets in central Rome, surrounded by Baroque and Renaissance architecture, I understand why they also call Rome the Eternal City - the beauty of the place seems timeless,” he wrote on his blog.
Although he visited the Colosseum, the Pantheon and the Spanish Steps among other famous sites, Irving’s plan to tour the Vatican was waylaid by a two-hour line to enter. He also visited the site where Julius Caesar was assassinated and one of the city’s catacombs that could hold more than 300,000 bodies.
“This catacomb was 140 feet deep and 13 miles long. This was amazing to see, and also very moving - it seemed like a sad place for a burial ground,” he wrote, adding that he would like to return with his family for a longer visit.
Following a stormy and challenging flight, Irving arrived in Athens, Greece on Saturday, April 14 where he was taken by surprise.
“To me so far Greece is the best all around, which caught me off guard,” he wrote.“All is going well. His spirits are good and he is welcomed everywhere he goes,” said his spokesperson, Holly Peppe.
Peppe said that Irving should reach Dubai, United Arab Emirates via Luxor, Egypt by Friday, April 20 - weather permitting. Once he arrives there he will have completed half his journey in terms of distance flown.
When Irving reaches Mumbai, India - which Peppe said was expected to happen during the week beginning Sunday, April 22 - he will have reached the halfway mark by terms of longitude.
To track Irving’s flight, read his blog, view photos or make a donation visit www.experienceaviation.org.
