Well well well look where we are. For those of you sick enough to still follow this airing of grievances thinly veiled as a blog, here is that sweet, sweet payoff.
I am in Milan.
Milan is in northern Italy, a country I missed on my last international trip. I didn’t avoid Italy on purpose–it just didn’t work out. I did end up visiting a baker’s dozen countries, though, so consider that before you label me an uncultured swine.
This trip was no less spur of the moment. One day I wake up and go to work, and the next day I wake up and go to Milan. This is how I roll now*.
The morning was a little tense for me as I realized I am again far from home and alone, but as soon as I got back on that beautiful red tour bus, I felt at ease again.
When I think of Milan I think of fashion, and indeed this was the first place to have a centuries-old cathedral smell like the mall.
This is the Duomo, a Gothic masterpiece with a facade so detailed, I could hardly focus on any one thing. I had a hard time understanding some of the sculptures. Hagiography is certainly not my strong suit, but doesn’t this guy look like he’s hitting a bong?
And what about this guy, is he about to do some lumber jacking?
I do not understand religion I guess.
I could not see the inside of the Duomo today because silly me I wore a tank top in the 90 degree heat. One MUST cover one’s shoulders. Never mind that the pillars across the street are sculptures of topless women.
In addition to not going into the Duomo, I did not go into the Castle Sforzesco.
Inside the castle itself is a castle museum, which I skipped and instead went through the courtyard and into the Parco Sempione. On the other side of the park is the arch–every European city must have an arch–though instead of victory, this is the Arch of Peace.
I’m not sure the sculptures atop this beauty scream peace at me, but maybe the warriors are all waving a cheery ciao.
Of course, what is a European city with out some gratuitous fountains?
It has been too hot to eat, but after this siesta/blog time I will venture back out to investigate the culinary arts.
For those in the know, Milan houses one of the most famous paintings of all time, The Last Supper. I will not be able to see it with my own eyeballs as one must secure tickets months in advance. So, dear reader, if you do follow in my stumbling footsteps, plan ahead if you wish to see that spicy meatball.
Stay tuned for more uncropped pictures and unsolicited advice.
Currently reading: Rick Steves Italy, The Magician’s Land by Lev Grossman, and The Winter’s Tale by Shakespeare.
*very, very occasionally
paralyzedbynotcaring 