I cannot believe our trip to Italy has come to a close. This Wednesday I will have been backpacking for three weeks and have completed 1/4 of my trip across Europe. It seems almost surreal when I think about how much I have seen and yet still there is more!
A quick recap of the last two days in Milan...
On Saturday, we ventured down to the Duomo and climbed up 220 steps to the top. It was three extra euros to take "the lift" and that was my gelato money. Plus, this was a breeze after the Duomo in Firenze. We got to the top and you are literally in the arches of the top of the church. You are surrounded by the statues and towers and it's pretty cool. The view is ok, because Milan is truly a city and has some really ugly parts, unlike previous places we have been in.
We walked around some more on Via Dante, which is lined with restaurants and shops until it started to downpour. So we cut our losses and stopped at a pizzeria for lunch. It was one of the best pizzas we have had so far, and trust me, there have been many. I remember I waited on three Asian girls this summer who were take pictures of each of the dishes I served them. I thought it was really funny and very weird, but now here I am in Italy, snapping pictures of the pizzas.
After lunch we walked through a castle and by Milan's central park. Then we managed to get a free map in order to head over to Via Montenapoleone. This is a street famous in Milan for all high end stores: Valentino, Versace, Gucci, Cartier... The list goes on and on. Of course the window displays are beautiful, but the people on the street, wearing items from these stores and carrying the bags are far more impressive. I was just happy I opted for my new, fake leather, Italian made flats in stead of my sketchers. The guy next to me on this train is carrying a Longchamp laptop bag if that's any indication of how men and women are here.
 |
| From Abroad Fall 2010 |
Fountain in fro of the castle
Later I spent an hour looking for a laundromat and Alyssia and I ate dinner. This time, Alyssia drank all the sparkling wine, and was am using to say the least. Also, this night I only woke up once to the tiny Asian roommate snoring like a truck driver.
On Sunday, I was out of money for shopping so we bought train tickets to Lake Como. north of Milan there is a huge lake district. Honestly, I would have never thought to go there but my high school English teacher recommended it. The train ride is an hour and brings you tot he most southern point of Lake Como, which is one of three main lakes on the north.
Per usual, we grabbed pizza for lunch followed by gelato. We sat by the lakeside eating gelato and the temperature was a perfect 76ish. Who could ask for more? We took the funicularo up. 760 meters up the side of one of the mountains that surrounds the lake. The panoramic view is amazing and a camera cannot even begin to capture it. Afterwards, we walked along the lake. Unfortunately, you can only rent boats and take wakeboarding rides in the northern parts of the lakes. I would not have minded that at all!
That night, I finally found a laundromat, which was an interesting experience to say the least. 7.50€ for a wash and dry for all the clothes I currently possess. The smell of clean clothes is literally amazing. Oh I also bought a hair dryer and a straightener. The are the smallest things I have ever seen, but so completely worth the 25€ I paid since I was tired of looking like a wild woman with my crazy hair everyday.
Alyssia and I went our separate ways this morning. I will miss her, but i think it will be good for us to talk to other people for a little while! Surprisingly, seeing her go off to school didn't change my feelings about my trip. I thought I would long for the structure but so far I love what I am doing and I am so glad I made the decision to travel! Don't worry dad, I will go back to college in January.
Oh also I ordered a brioche crema and a acqua naturale at a cafe this morning. The whole exchange was conducted in Italian. It's pretty amazing what three weeks in a country will do for you! I was also mistaken for an Italian on the train, although this has happened to Alyssia and I quite a few times.
I'll write again from the Swiss Alps in Interlacken. I think a currency change and a language change will be interesting...
XO
No comments:
Post a Comment