Milan madness

So in an epic jump across Europe, I took a plane from Riga Latvia all the way to Milan Italy.  Now, unfortunately, this isn't one that the cheap airlines do, or at least it wasn't any cheaper than a normal airline, so for the first time since coming to Europe, I flew a normal airline.  And it was heaven.  I'd forgotten just how much you give up when you fly cheap... It didn't help that I was given the exit row window seat... It was like a sign from the universe that I was to make the most of every moment of this extraordinarily comfortable flight.  Ah... Bliss!  So I stretched out my legs, and ate my complimentary sandwich and cookie and even had the audacity to ask for a second one.  Yesssss!

When we landed in Milan my first impression was just the noise and smell. I was once again back in a great big city.  I took the metro to my hostel outside the city center, and realized quickly that it was much farther than the advertisements had suggested... But thankfully the Milan public transportation system is reasonably easy to follow, and cheap.  

I made it to the hostel without getting lost even once (seriously this must be a record). The reception area and common room all looked very clean and friendly, which I expected considering the price I payed... Unfortunately all the hostels in Milan were overpriced and not highly rated.  But all seemed fine, until I got upstairs to my bed... I have never seen a mattress so dirty... Iiiick!!  AND the place had the audacity to charge extra for linens! Grr. 

Anyway, I really didn't have any sort of a plan past Milan... So I wasn't sure how long I'd stay there.  I decided to go into the city to check it out, and see how I felt.  So I started with what milan is most famous for, shopping.  Now, since I am incredibly short on space, there's really nothing I can buy.. So this got boring pretty fast.  So I went to where I am a little more passionate... The history stuff.  

Milan's duomo is by far it's most famous structure, and I have no trouble seeing why.  It's built in the center of the city in a huge white stone square.  When you come up out of the metro you are absolutely blinded by the reflection of light off of everything. Whenyour eyes adjust, your breath is taken away by the shear size and majesty of then church in front of you.  Tall, very thin spires each up everywhere, all intricately carved. 

 It's almost so beautiful that you don't notice the fifty or so guys looking for gawking tourists to sell stuff to... Or aka pickpocket. (oh yeah, these guys have us tourists ALL figured out!) 

Anyway, upon entering the church, I had my breathe sucked away from me again!  Now remember... I have been in A LOT of churches on this trip. Most of them gothic and pretty and old... Just like this one.  They get old fast.  However, this one struck me by surprise.  The dome was SO high and huge, that I felt as tiny as an ant.  It seemed like the roof was defying physics itself... Nothing should be able to stand this tall with so little support!  But here it is, hundreds of years later, still standing strong.  I felt so awe struck in this church, I didn't want to leave!  My neck ached from looking up for so long.., but it didn't matter.  It was so worth the vertigo.

After leaving the duomo, i wandered the center of Milan for a while.  Other than some pretty awesome street performers, I realized quickly that this city wasn't where I wanted to stay.  It was much too industrial and fashion centered... So I headed back to the hostel to make a plan.

At the hostel, I started talking to a young woman, and quickly found one of the best friends I have made on this trip. Elisa is a Brazilian living in Portugal, trying to make it as an opera singer.  She was in Milan auditioning for the conservatory there!! We hit it off right away, but as soon as we were able to start talking music, we were two peas in a pod! Elisa is one of the most high spirited people I have ever met. She says what she thinks, and often says it loudly :). 

As we were chatting, we found out that the receptionist was from Spain, and started talking to her as well. Seriously, thank goodness for English!  She invited us along to a picnic that some of her friends were hosting in a local park, so of course we agreed.  This ended up being more of a gigantic park party than a picnic!! Everyone brought tons of food, and more and mor people started showing up.  I don't think I have heard that many languages being spoken in one place anywhere else on my trip.  It was so cool! Plus the park was absolutely gorgeous... Fountains and monuments... A few Roman ruins... No biggy. 

Pretty soon, the guitars came out, and we had an absolute jam fest.  People were singing and dancing, and just having a wonderful time!  When I finally left, I'm pretty sure there was about to be a dance off between a guy from Italy and a girl from Spain. Oh man.

It was a perfect way to end my stay in milan.  I decided to keep moving forward... Although I still didn't really know where... But that's for the next blog!