Lil Girl on Tour (introducing my sister)

My baby sister (ok she is 26) has taken the plunge and decided to pack up and check out what the world has to offer. I got a mysterious Facebook message 12 hours after she left home last week, to say she had been isolated in Hong Kong airport, with suspicions she might have Swine Flu. She couldn't call but only had access to the Internet, so you could imagine my reaction. I was beside myself. A week later (today) and I finally get this group email from her:

Hello,

I have finally made it to Italy but there were a few hurdles before I got here. I left Brisbane, arrived in Hong Kong 9 hours later feeling clammy and had a sore throat. I got asked by customs if I had any symptoms of swine flu, I just mentioned that I had a sore throat. Thinking that it wasn’t going to be a big deal (as I didn’t have all the other symptoms), they took me away to where a group of people were sitting with numbers. They called mine out after about an hour as I had no idea if they were going to let me walk (like many I had seen) or put me in quarantine.

I was told I had a high temperature and that they were going to take me in an ambulance to the hospital to check if I have swine flu. They put a big sign on my room saying ‘waiting for ambulance’. As I waited I got onto my laptop, luckily there was free internet and got through to (my sister) who got mum online and I let them know what was going on. I was surrounded by people covered head to toe in protective gear thinking that I had swine flu and could infect them.

By the time the doctor saw me at the hospital he told me that I’d have to stay in Hong Kong for two days to receive my results. I told him that I was leaving for Italy the next day and he said that’s unfortunate but he couldn’t help me. I frantically rang my travel insurance to see if I was covered by this and they told me I would only be covered if I have swine flu (as after two days of staying there I might not have it). To change my flight was going to cost me another $1200 and this was beginning to turn into a nightmare. Eventually they did the testing and then let me go. It was another doctor who had released me from hospital and she told me that I should have information tomorrow if I have swine flu. I asked her what time she would call me and she said that they’ll only call me if I have swine flu. That was really strange so I decided then and there that I was going to the airport no matter what and if customs stopped me I must have had swine flu.

My idea worked and I got through customs with no problem but customs asked if I had two passports as they saw both and the only thing he mentioned is that I like to change my hair colour. I was still nervous as I waited for my flight. I thought that some people from customs would come and grab me and say come with us. But in the back of my mind I also thought they’d be happy to get rid of me if I did have swine flu. The only time I felt secure was when the plane was leaving for take off. I made my flight to Zurich, Switzerland virtually no turbulence, fantastic!!

I arrived in Switzerland and then had 50mins to get to my connecting flight to Milan, Italy. I didn’t realize but the flight from Zurich to Milan went directly over the Swiss Alpes. I was very much a tourist during my 40mins flight to Milan as everyone seemed quite bored with the scenery (having seen this numerous times) whilst I took lots of pictures out the window. I was also very tired but knowing that his marvel was underneath me was enough to keep me awake.

I arrived in Milan and changed clothing as the weather was quite hot. When I stepped off the plane I knew I was in Italy as the people are fashionable and beautiful. The people are very hospitable and some helped me when I had trouble with my luggage. As I bought my ticket the good looking ticket sales men noticed that my passport was from Australia. He started asking me about Australia, telling me he has family over there and would like to go. I had to stop chatting and quickly board my train as it was about to leave. I had another good looking man help me with my luggage as I boarded the train. We started talking and he also just flew from China. He is a fashion consultant (I don’t know what that means) and also lectures at a Milano University teaching fashion business. We had a great conversation and he gave me his card to keep in touch.

Once I arrived in Milano, Luigi (a friend of mine) came to pick me up. He knew my schedule and walked me to my job interview and took all my luggage back to his house. I had the job interview for a school in Milano as I’ve been assured that’ll they be able to get me work at any school there, the only problem is it’s not as much pay is in the UK. I’ve got the next two months to decide whether I want to live in this beautiful country and learn such a romantic language or earn good money in the UK and come visit this place. It’s going to be a very hard decision as I’ve already fallen in love with this country’s culture and customs.

After my day in Milano with Luigi I boarded a train which he had arranged for me (very hospitable) to Santa Margherita. I arrived and met the new family I will be working for. They are very lovely people and I feel I’m spoilt as all I do is provide English lessons for the girls, take them to the beach and out to other activities from Monday to Friday. I have all day Saturday and Sunday off plus Wednesday and Friday nights off as well. All my meals are provided as they are cooked by Elena the girls mother. And the meals are absolutely beautiful, traditional Italian cooking!! The food here is so fresh, I’ve never been so excited to eat fruit before. Today is Sunday as I’ve just been to the beach, read some of my Heath Ledger biography and I’ve come back for lunch where I don’t do anything. I rock up, have lunch, then I can do what I want. It is hard to take in that this is my job as I do feel obliged to help but usually am told just to sit down.

Family is very important to the Italians and I can see that with the family I live with. Their mother stays at home and provides for the girls whilst their father works full time. Their father works in Milano and comes here on the weekends (which is my time off) to spend time with his family. The girls are very courteous and seem to have a great relationship with their parents. I have not experienced the typical Italian male that I’ve been warned of and I wonder if people over exaggerate. The typical Italian man I’ve noticed is very in love with his partner and seems to be quite generous. The men I have met have not been sleazy but very polite, generous and very attractive!! This place is full of beautiful men and women!! I really feel I’ve found where I belong hehe, it’s going to be a hard decision about where I want to live.

Miss you all and if I do decide to stay you should come and visit this magnificent place!!

Speak soon

K (lil Girl on Tour)

Santa Margherita

PPP and I are hoping to meet up with her on our upcoming holiday to Italy (remember I just came back from Rome and am planning a return for a holiday???) and hopefully get to enjoy some time in her new home of Santa Margherita.