Paris To Milano

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  Milano, Lombardy, Italy
Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Well this was a bit of an adventure. Firstly, we couldn't catch the train we wanted from Paris to Milano, Italy as it was booked out. So we had to go via Nice, catch a train to Ventimiglia and then another from there to Milano, adding another 6hrs on our journey. We got to Nice at about 8:30 am to find out there was a strike and we had to catch a train to Menton in France, a bus to Ventimiglia and then train to Milano. On the way to Menton we hear all of Italy is shut down. We get to Ventimiglia to discover the station closed. Some say it will open at 5pm others say 12pm. What to do? Well all we can do is hang around Ventimiglia for the day until someone can tell us something. Google Ventimiglia and you'll understand our predicament! Pizza, Gillatto and Ventimiglia: What a life! We swap all day on a glorious beach with the most amazing backdrop and then dragged ourselves off to the station at about 5pm to see what we could see. A train was at the station bound for Milano. We did not have a reservation for this train:- no harm in asking,"We get on this one???" Lots of waving of arms and broken English and Italian and we were on our way to Milano. No waiting an no ticket! Half way to Milano the beach sellers got on - a little scary and a little exciting. They appeared to be a law unto themselves:- loud, happy and very much in control. We sat there, looking straight ahead trying not to look too intimidated. They all got off a couple of hours later at Genova and the carriage became ours again. I think our sigh could be heard from some distance. Before they got on the kids were watching a video on the Macbook. One chap was heard to ask another, "What's that's?" Once again we ended up in the world of 'haves and have nots". Hard to come to terms with this. Do were all have the same choices our does our circumstance dictate these? They were very happy and looked content was this their choice to be beach sellers or their only choice. Italy appears to be a wealthy country with lots of opportunity.

We ended up in Milano at about 9:30pm all exhausted not knowing even how to get out of the station. We were all a little edgy so decided to catch a taxi to our accommodation. First we had to contact the owner to meet us there as we had earlier arranged to meet him at 3pm. Even using a public phone is complicated when you don't know the language. Put my 1E in pressed the buttons waited- nothing. Hung up- no coin. Tried again - nothing. 2E and nothing. Cranky and tired went back to the family, also cranky and tired. I wasn't their best choice of Dad or husband at this stage. We then walked around this huge station looking for someone who could help us. No-one! Back we go to the telephone and a few police officers were standing by. I went up and asked them if they could help me use the phone. They looked at me like I was a fool and reluctantly came over to help. Three officers and a dumb Australian trying to use a public telephone. They couldn't get the bloody thing to work now. Who's the fool now Mario Brothers???? One of them stuck his finger up the return slot to discover a little plate blocking the coins from being returned. He pulled the plate out and about 6 coins dropped down. We'd been scammed. Eden told me a little kid was watching me trying to make the calls and he looked shifty. When I called the Mario Brothers over he took off. Imaging how much he would make each day? Imagine if he used that brain for 'good not evil'? Here I go again! What could this little fella do if he was given an education and allowed to flourish? Probably become an Italian Police Officer. 

Speaking of scams, saw a good one in Paris. This young bloke walks pasts you and pretends to pick up a gold ring. Is this yours he asked? If you say yes you are gone! He hands you the ring and then walks off. A few minutes later he returns and says. Sorry Sir, I am not wealthy and was wondering if you could spare some money as a token of your appreciation for finding you most valuable ring. You pull out your wallet, no doubt feeling guilty your've lied and offer a fiver. He says, Sir that ring looked very valuable to me. It must be worth more than that. He digs the hole for you and you jump in knowing you've lied. Others watching know that you probably deserve what you get because you are on the same level as the scammer. Brilliant!!! 

We ended up at our Milano Residence at about 10 and met the wonderful owner who hit us an extra 30e for a late call out fee - scammed twice in one night. (I'm going to do the ring thing on him before I leave and see if I can get it back- Bastard!)

We are going to take it easy on Wednesday. A few short trips around Milano and then on Friday we're off to Lake Como which is an hour off by train and is supposed to be beautiful. Then it's off to Venice. Wow

And to my kids at school, I have been trying to Skype you but I have not been able to get through. I have to contact you when it's after 1am over here. After a long day its hard to try and stay up that late. I've tried twice but you haven't been on at that time. Hopefully your reading this Blog and following our journey. Hopefully your teachers are also editing the naughty bits. Send me a comment as I miss you all and would love to hear from each of you - Good writing pracitise. How's Mr. Kerlin Going. I'm sure you're treating him well. Until next time!

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Watching The Ring Scam	Go Cadel!!!!!!!	My Next Bike	Long day ahead   Comments!
One board the sleeper.	Kailey Lauren ready for bed   Comments!	Excited about the night train	Hard Day
Bloody Train Strikes	Passing the TIme	Bloody Train Strikes	Milano Station

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