First Day in Italy

I have never been so excited about a 9 hour flight in my life. The flight from Atlanta, GA to Milan, Italy was definitely an experience. I imagined the flight to be filled with mostly tourists, but to my surprise, it was filled with mostly Italians returning home.

Well besides the fact that I had an entire row to myself, the only thing left was to take a sleep-aid that would put me out for the entire trip! Which it did...

Upon arriving to Milan, I didn't even know what to expect besides a traditional Italian town. It was nothing like that. Milan was covered in snow and only 32 degrees F. I didn't care. I was in Italy. After getting off the plane, I was so relieved to see all the signs in English as well as Italian. Thank God for that! Getting my luggage and getting to the bus was easy. Driving through Milan I was so surprised to see how dirty the city was and how every wall and every other building was covered in graffiti. Not what I expected of an Italian city. Although, there were some old building that resembled Italian architecture, the city reminded me a lot of Gary, Indiana.

Once I arrived at the train station, things started to get a bit complicated. I didn't even know where to begin, the Milano Central Station was HUGE! Of course, being a confused, lost American, I ask for help and end up tipping a guy to carry my luggage not only to the ticket booth, but to the platform of my train. Once I bought my ticket (after a trip to the bank and exchange rate place), I finally found which train I was supposed to take and where it would be. I thought I had it handled then, I could easily make my way through Italy. NO. Once I saw that my ticket was for the LAST seat in the LAST coach, I instantly hated my life. Only 10 coaches to walk by to get to the 11th, which was my coach. Thanks a lot ticket guy. When I finally got to the coach, a weirdo Italian asked me if he could help me with my bags and I kept telling him no, I can handle it. While he was STILL trying to take my bags, his sly dog of a friend tried getting into my purse. I don't know who these people think they are, but thank God my mom warned me about these fools. I yelled at both of them and finally made it to my last seat, of the last coach. After about an hour and a half of train travel, I finally made it to Firenze, where I met up with my best friends!

I can't wait to see what the week holds, hopefully I won't have any more encounters with any weirdo gypsy types trying to rip me off.

Hopefully my first night out will make up for this chaotic day!

Ciao!!!