Milan Malpensa

In an attempt to save a few dollars on our Paris adventure, I booked our flights through Air Aitalia. I did this with the full and conscious knowledge that it is not the most reputable of airlines. It meant an additional layover in Milan's Malpensa airport and a longer travel time. But it also meant some extra money for a decent meal or a cheesy souvenir (we brought back a corkscrew/can opener combination with an etching of the Eiffel Tower and the word "Paris" in case you were wondering).

Never, ever again. While our flights on Aitalia went smoothly, our two trips through Malpensa were enough to put us off Italy, let alone Milan. Which is a depressing thought, because who wants to think badly of Italy? After all the art, culture and food they have contributed to the world through the ages?

Putting aside, for a moment, that it is a minor miracle that native speakers are able to navigate the airport, and I'm pretty certain I saw multiple Italians get lost. Signage was poor at best, and incredibly confusing. There are no maps displaying the layout of the airport. Add ongoing construction and surly employees (possibly because of the ongoing construction noise?) After dashing madly through several terminals and going through customs twice, we managed to make it to our flight to Paris.

It was on the way back through Malpensa that my dislike was confirmed. J and I had purchased leather jackets and had arranged all the forms necessary to have the VAT Tax refunded to us.

The customs official (a woman) in Malpensa refused to honor the refund because J and I had worn the jackets while still in Paris. In her opinion, this made the goods "used" and not eligible for the refund. When I protested her decision, based on the fact that we had not been informed that the goods could not be worn, she proceeded to unleash an invective in Italian to her partner, calling me a liar. Even the other customs official, a male was horrified by her behavior.

I left the customs office shaking and in tears.

Next time, we will fly Air France.