We had a few close calls on our first day in Milan.
First - On the train whilst calling to check we were being picked up (We had the offer, but had not heard in two days) we decided that since he had evaded every mode of communication, perhaps something had happened to our host.
Yep - Contingency plans of what we would do when we couldn't get into the flat followed.
He FINALLY sent a message 10 minuted before we arrived that we was outside the station.
I would have been more relived, but the instant we got in the car, we were reminded of the dangers of Italian Driving. Everyone swerves, everyone honks, and a lot seem to take crazy chances, but we are yet to see a crash or hear of one anywhere. Enzo, our host was not too bad, and spent the journey texting, and cramming us with information about Milan, which we promptly forgot except snippets I managed to note on my phone
When we made it to the apartment - it was lovely!
We even have an orange juice squeeze-y rotating machine!
Checklist done (Unpacking/wifdi/foodshop etc) We kind of have it down by now.
We had a knock on the door from Enzo who lives upstairs. Want to come to a bar's birthday party tonight? Free food, and free drinks?
SURE! WHAT FOOL WOULD SAY NO?
We arrived.
A beautiful outdoor terrace, surrounded by beautiful people in Gucci, Prada and brands I didn;t recognise but I am pretty sure cost more than our rent.
We headed to the bar nervously, to be greeted with...
ALL DRINKS...ANY DRINKS are $10 each
After a few months of $1.50 glasses of wine, this was a mini shock to the system. Enzo on the other hand shrugged, and said, 'well I think the buffet is free', 'See you later' and walked away.
We basically sat on the edge by the door, to make sure if Enzo left, we could collar him and make sure we got home. We googles how to get back - It took hours of tube/bus switches plus a 50 minute walk, out with the mosquito crew.
Uh Oh.
Well - we pretended for a while, and eat buffet food a little, got our table invaded by Non-English speaking Italians, and Enzo finally popped over to say we could come meet his friends when ready.
FINALLY!
We did, and most spoken some English, one was a fun taxi driver who Ryan got on really well with(Football) and I danced with his wife who it seems loves to go clubbing! Their dancing was crazy to say the least,and the music was probably what I would have danced to at school disco's - Five, Spice Girls...Mixed with Italian Music.
I turned out we were celebrating a women who had spent 30 years in the hairdressing industry, and was throwing a big party in what was otherwise an upmarket nightclub..that just HAPPENED to have sports cars in glass casing as props.
We were welcomed which was great and all was well with cake Champagne, and fun conversation.
We stayed until midnight!
The drive home was a little more sketchy... Enzo after several drinks driving, decided to shout at a policeman because the road home was closed, then swerved viciously between cars the whole way back, muttering. Twice Ryan nearly asked to get out o the car (I just shut my eyes in the back!)
I don't think we will go to the next party, but definitely an experience! Perhaps not one to repeat too soon.
Much love xxx