To The French Riveria Via Milan 3-27-2009

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Day 16 - Friday

We ended day 15 in Venice with a group dinner. Today, we head off to Nice via Milan. The day was long, but thank goodness for Milan. So what if it is only a two hour stop. As Dr. Meyer would say "better 2 hours than no stop at all".

Luggi parked the green machine in front of the Milan castle. We have two hours to explore the city. We walked as a group to the Galleria in search of a bathroom and something to eat. Both were accomplished at McDonalds. Okay, so we ate at McDonalds. It was good to eat something American.

Next to the Cathedral of Milan. This was the third time I've been here but never toured the interior of the Cathedral. It was as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside. So what exactly is the difference
between a basilica and a cathedral? Here's what my good friend Richard Strong told me in shortstory format:
Cathedral is a church that holds a bishop
Basilica is designated by the Pope, signifying the church carries out special spiritual, historical, and architectural significance. Once a basilica -- always a basilica and a basilica could be a cathedral if a bishop resides there. I'm sure my definition does not do this justice, but this is what I remember.

Okay, back to the Cathedral of Milan otherwise known as Dumo di Milano. Did you known this is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and the second largest cathedral in the world? Second to Cathedral of Seville. Sorry if you guessed St. Peter's Basilica, as it is not a cathedral. Now that is why I did the explanation above.

On our way back to the bus, we stopped for gelato. Not as good as Venice, but it will do. Nat and Lex, no one got groped here. This is a funny longstory short.

In 2006, we head off to the Dumo. Nat and Lex are my buds (twin sisters) that now live in Kansas City. As we are walking, a random man gave Lex a "Milano hello" by giving her a squeeze below the belt line. If looks could kill, she would of been arrested for something. This was too funny, that is, after we made sure she was okay. Dr. Meyer did remind everyone to watch their belongings and their belt line.

Back to the bus and off we go to our final, and I mean final long bus ride. Off to Nice, France.

LongStory Short,

Ann

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Photos

Milan 1
Welcome to Milan

Dumo
Milano Dumo in Milan

Dumo 2
Milan Dumo Restored

Gallerkia
Milan Galleria

Group Shot
Leah, Donna, Shelley, Angela, Eric, Julie Susan and Ann In Front Of The Dumo