Milan Italy

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Inside Cathedral

On the 7th day, 6 October, we went to Italy. Keith had a meeting in Bellusco, which is outside of Milan, so off we go! Keep in mind that at this point I'm still in culture shock and jet lagged. Not sure what day it is, or what country I'm in! Like I said before, being tourist, what I'm about to write is so cliché... Keith has been buying up tour books and has our itinerary planned. (One quick explanation about the video. I didn't yet know how to work the camera, so view this entry on a laptop so you can turn it on it's side. That way the picture will be straight up!! Or lean your head to the side and enjoy my camera angle)

The main square is close to our hotel, but is shielded from our view until we walk around a corner, and wow! The Duomo is humongous! It's across the Piazza from us and is hard to believe it's size. Wandering around we ended up near the castle, but headed back to see the other side of the piazza, by way of Via Dante. There was a photograph exhibit along this pedestrian street, we ate canollis, dodged bicycles, and marveled at the fact that we were in Italy!

We head over to do some window shopping along Via Montenapoleona. Here are the designer's stores, the best of the best. And the people watching was amazing, even with the extremely congested sidewalks. We kind of just went with the flow.
Our hotel is small, but with very nice designer rooms. And a view straight down the street. The trolley came right to the hotel and made a tight turn at the corner, I loved watching it for some reason. I guess it got me imagining the beach trolleys at home that used to run years ago.
Walking through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele we find a mosaic in the floor of a bull, it's good luck if you spin on his balls, so here I go!! This is done a lot because there is divot in the floor!

We learn our first lesson on touring, which is - if you really want to see a true tourist attraction, book the tour before you arrive. Yes, you guessed it, the luck of the bull wasn't with us, as the one thing we wanted to see, was fully booked, for days. Viewing The Last Supper will have to wait, darn that Dan Brown. (I made Keith stare at a little print of it in a store window.) We did see Leonardo's Statue in the Piazza della Scala.

Behind Sforza Castle is a park. The weather was mild and sunny and the park was full of Milanese enjoying the day. Of course it is beautifully landscaped, with a tree lined stream running through. Guarding the bridge are four wonderful mermaids. I noticed a mass of locks attached to the railing, but didn't think too much of it to get a photo. Once we were back home, in Krakow, I found out that they are there because of a love story. Lovers attach the lock on the bridge and then throw the key into the water, symbolizing their lasting love! Look next to Keith's left arm as he walks up the steps and you can barely make out the mass of locks. The fella with the bundle slung over his shoulder is an African pocket book salesman. About a dozen of these guys line the entrance into the castle, spread out a blanket and wheel and deal. This guy must have made his quota and called it a day. Early in the morning the same guys are standing by the Metro stairs selling papers.

We mapped out our route over to the cemetery which took us through a non touristy area. Sort of a Chinatown, by the looks of the shops, which were actually closed. It was early in the day. On our way back from the cemetery, we came by an intersection, where an accident had occurred. There were emergency personnel, and detectives sitting around the median. We almost missed the covered body in the road. Just his shoes showing from under the cloth. A small motorcycle was nearby, no car that we could see, so we assumed there had been a hit and run. No one was hanging around staring, the scene was calm and we almost didn't notice except for the ambulance parked on the side of the street.

Eating in Milan was so good! But of course! One night at Peck's near the hotel, we watched a very classy crowd arrive for their reserved tables. Older well dressed couples sat near us and the waiters were very attentive to them. Keith wasn't too impressed, after a few brought in their pampered pooches! I think Princess would be very well behaved in a fancy restaurant! Leaving we passed through a cocktail party of sorts, that must have been just for Milan's single men, a very handsome gathering!! Next night we sat down for a drink in the Galleria to people watch, and ended up having supper. Ossobuco and risotto.

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Photos

looking upwards
not stone, pink marble

Duomo
banners are covering it during renovations

La Madonnina
15 foot tall gilded Virgin Mary is 330 feet above the square

rain spout on the Duomo
this thing is 100 feet above ground, look at the detail of it's teeth!

inside cathedral
A tiny red light marks the place where a nail from the cross of Jesus is kept.

inlaid floor
in the cathedral

policemen in the square
Milano

Leonardo da Vinci statue
at the Piazza della Scala (Leo worked for the Sforza family in Milan)

Galleria Vitttorio Emanuele
four-story glass domed arcade c. 1870. First building to have electric lighting.

spining on "torinio"
do this for good luck

Sforza Castle
c. 1300's