It's now 11pm, I'm writing in complete darkness.

I'm staying with the nuns, in Milan, Italy.

Yes, I came, finally.

Yesterday, my last day in Ireland, Shirley took me, together with Jenna, Charlene and the kids to a farm. We saw the horses!  I mean really close! haha! The lady who run the farm is Shirley's friend, she said those horses are noble horses which perform and win in horse riding competitions. After the farm visit, we went back to Jenna's and BBQ. At night, Shirley took us for a pub-parade! Yeah! I didn't know there're so many pubs in town, because they are closed in daytime and I work at night. I had the most wonderful time with Shirley and Jenna! I can smoke and drink as much as I want, WITH Shirley! haha. After three pubs and dunno how many beers we finally said goodbye, Jenna cried, I thought I would, but I didn't.

See I was a bit drunk and totally exhausted when I got home, and I still haven't finished packing. All I wanna do was to say goodnight and go back to my room as soon as possible. But 阿嫂 said it's my last night here so we should seize the chance and talk! She didn't let me go till 430am when I'd have to wake up at 630 in the morning......

I didn't cry when I left in the morning, I dun even remember how I felt coz I was too tired and sleepy to feel anything. I slept all my way from Belfast to London. Not until I got to London Standsted that my brain functioned and realized how great it is to finally start my trip. What I didn't know is my adventure would start right away. I was in the toilet trying to hide the cash in my trouser when I heard the fire alarm. I didn't know what is it until I heard the warning in German! They said there's a fire and everybody had to be evacuated. How often it to catch up with a fire in the airport?! haha! Of course it turned out to be a false alarm, but I was so excited I made a call to mum. ^.^

The plane arrived Milan at around 6pm. It was a tiny airport, with no air-conditioning and no English speaking. I had no idea how to get in the city. I tried to make a call to the convent where I'd be staying tonight, but there was no answer. At last I saw two look-like-American/Canadian so I followed them on the bus. But they already had ticket. They said I could buy tickets from the kiosk. So with all my bags and stuff I walked back to the airport, get the ticket and came back again. I already forgot which bus to take and I didn't know when I should get off. I blame myself for not studying hard! I blamed myself for sleeping all my way from Ireland to Italy! I was so tired and hungry and frustrated I kinda gave up. I got on a bus (dunno which one, just jumped on one of them) and sat down, not knowing where to go and what to do. Then a lady actually came to me, and asked me if I need help in English!!!!! ANGEL!!!! AGAIN!!!! She said she couldn't speak English very well but she thought I need help. O my, there must be a GOD, there must be! She taught me where to get off, how to walk to the underground, told me which route to take......then she got off. What do you call it?! I call it miracle.

If the underground in London is the oldest, then that in Milan must be second oldest! It's really broke, noisy and smelly (is it the tube or the people?).  It took me two hour to find the convent, when I saw its front door I couldn't help saying "thank god". Obviously I was saying that too soon. I walked in, imagining the nuns would give me a warm welcome, some bread and a nice room......then I met the Nun#1. She stared at me and started murmuring, in Italian of course, and that doesn't sound right. She asked me my name (surprisingly in English), I told her that I called a week ago and booked a bed. She took out a notebook,  flipped a few pages then started to shake her head and talk loud in Italian. Nun#2 came in, and they started discussing very loud, looking at me furiously, it sounded like they were blaming me! Nun#3 came in, after another discussion, she told me, in English, that they couldn't find my name, which means I didn't book any room and asked me to leave. I was so angry, yet also desperate. I had nowhere to go, I need a bed. I lowered my voice, put on a smile and beg for a bed. Finally, finally after 60 minutes, they gave me a bed. I still heard Nun#1 shouting at me when I left the reception.

So here I am, in this convent. Nun#2 just came in to turn off the light. I'm so hungry...I haven't had dinner...nor shower...I dun even have water......I should better go to sleep, everything will be alright, I'll leave here tomorrow....everything will be alright......

4/7/01  23:24