MILAN HERE I COME!

Dear Caroline,

I am going to Milan Italy for the weekend. I didn’t have the chance whilst in Rome and I really wanted to get my dress for Caspianne’s wedding here. Going to go to some ateliers but I’ll probably end up with something from Zara or H&M, the fast fashion here in Europe is far superior than in the US and Canada. The style is top notch.

For just a weekend Milan is proving to be very expensive. I had planned to take the train, which I was so excited about, but somehow a week before my departure there was a landslide that took out the tunnel that connects France to Italy. Just my lunch. After talking with Mamie she convinced me to book a flight. I booked Vueling and EasyJet, two budget airlines. I try to avoid budget airline because in my experience they tend to be more expensive after all the hidden fees. After booking everything I realized I made a HUGE mistake. My return flight is at 9pm! Not 9am like I had read on the reservation. Immediately I tried to rebook but because I paid with points I could not change the flight. Lesson learned triple check everything and check again.

Two days ago I got an email saying that my flight to Milan was cancelled due to a strike. I honestly thought the universe was telling me to just give up on the trip. But with the cancelation policy on my hotel, if I didn’t go I would have to forfeit a lot more money than having to buy another plane ticket, even last minute. After talking to my dad and Mamie, I really need guidance on this one, I booked another flight. The only flight available. And it was out of Beauvais Airport. The Uber alone to get to this airport is more expensive than my flight, and because it is Easyjet they nickel and dime you for everything. My carryon which costs 24€ was 1/8” too big so I had to buy hold luggage for another 24€. Like your dad, I prefer to hang out at the airport early than to be rushing everywhere. But at this airport you can’t cross security until 2 hours prior to your schedule flight, which was a new experience for me. Sitting outside on the curb waiting for my “entry time”. The airport staff also couldn’t agree on which terminal I was flying out of, I went between T1 and T2 three times before we were certain where I was going. Check-in was easy, security took my glasses away… never happened to me before… without them I’m pretty blind, especially when it comes to depth. I couldn’t tell where the body scanner started and ended and I kept walking into it and security just stood there and laughed. We all had a laugh but help would have been more appreciated. Now I am sitting at my gate, flight essentials in hand (bottle of Evan and peanut M&Ms), waiting to board when the announcement of a delay came over the flight boards….

I don’t know how this day will end, but one thing I’m sure of is I will be in Milan for dinner Or so help me!