Odd Job Italiano: We have arrived!

Tuesday 15th Sep

Finally arrived Milan worse for wear after quite greulling flight. 12.5 hours Adelaide to Dubai, 4 hour wait then 6.5 hours to Milan. Unsure why sitting down having a a movie marathon and eating at irregular intervals should be so exhausting (and aging!! looked in airport mirror and thought Donatella was looking over my shoulder but no no no it was me)

Taxi to hotel Holiday Inn Xpress Malpensa after just missing the hotel shuffle and booked in and under shower by 4pm. This hotel is on the outer perimeter of Malpensa Aeroporto but taxi trip was on and off various motorways and roundabouts (welcome to driving in Italy)and he delivered us there after clocking up 20euro without turning the meter on - curious.

Took a walk around the neighborhood which appeared to be a cross between semirural and sleepy borgo with odd mix of abandoned properties, industrial and residential. Found Ristorante Pizzeria Samarcanda - and if you didn't know it was there, like most Italian businesses, no way would you find it - closed up, rollershutters down and very subtle signage. Open at 7pm so back to Holiday Inn for overpriced beer served by cheery - not - barman. Tea is Ristorante v nice - tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms and big salad. F had rice croquettes with some sauce, bit salty for my liking. Funny place, quite a few tables - fullup within 10 minutes of opening - patrons came out of the woodwork.