Milan e McDonalds

Yesterday Alyssia and I arrived in Milano, Italy. We got settled in Hotel Emmy (I would like to point out we are 6 for 6 on hostels and have been very lucky with very thing we selected, especially since we never paid more than 24 dollars a night) and changed to look good for the Milanese. We took the metro to the center of town which drops you off in the Piazza de Duomo. As usual, there is a HUGE CHURCH in the Piazza. We walked around, grabbed a gelato and sat on the main statue in the piazza. I had bananas, mixed berries and mango! Soooooo delicious.

We walked down Via Torino to do some shopping, I have been wearing the same clothes for way too long. Also, it is beginning to get colder, so I need some long sleeve shirts and a sweater. We found an H&M of course and there were some great finds. You have to buy up a size in everything because it's European but not too bad.

That evening, we dined at a marvelous restaurant: McDonalds.
Now, Mickey Ds is a lot different in foreign countries. The menu is limited and the restaurants are really nice inside. At the McCafe you buy cake, which I obviously did. It had multiple layers and was served on plate for only 2.40€.



We returned late to the hostel and got settled for the evening, awaiting a longer day!

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Today, we woke up early and got breakfast in bed! Now, let me explain. The hotel we are staying at has no common room or kitchen for breakfast. So you tell the cute old Muslim lady if you would like coffee or tea and she brings you a tray with your choice, some juice, a chocolate filled croissant and another unknown pastry. It was great! The coffee made me feel like I could run a marathon... Way too much caffeine!

Then we departed for the main square again. We climbed the 220 steps of the duomo to look over Milan. It was not as pretty as Florence, but when you are on top you are in the arches of the church and surrounded by statues and figurines. The inside was pretty amazing too. It was gigantic and the columns were as wide as redwood trees, not like I have seen any of these but from what I can imagine. Luckily Alyssia and I were well covered that day and we were allowed in!

Next we walked down Via Dante to another square. It started to pour so we traveled through some other shops before stopping to get a pizza. I think it was one of the best we have had so far. I literally could have eaten it twice over. Later we walked through an old castle and the outskirts of Milan's version of Central Park. Later we walked down the famous Via Montenapoleone. It has every high end couture store imaginable... Valentino, Gucci, Versace etc. What is even more impressive is the people you see walking down the street with bags from these various stores and beautiful shoes. Alyssia and I were not wearing our sketchers but we certainly were not on that level!

Now we have returned to the hotel for dinner and to avoid the pouring rain. I think a bottle of wine is in order!

XO

P.S. I have learned how to post pictures from the iPad so expect a lot!