(no subject)
Day 21 - 28 October 2008
I got up before 9 and took my time getting ready. I walked to Loreto and took the metro to Milano Centrale to take pictures since it was already dark last night when I arrived. That is one impressive structure. It's so much bigger than you think it is.
I got back on the metro and took it to the Santa Maria delle Grazie area. The suckiest thing about overcast days is when you can't see the sun to use it as a reference point. It's also not easy coming out of the metro because you usually turn this way and that on the way out and don't really know which direction you're going in. It took me a while to get my bearings and once I did I got to where I was going quite easily. I knew tickets to see da Vinci's Last Supper sold out in advance, but I was shocked to find out that it's sold out until the 15th of November. I was going to ask about tomorrow or Thursday. I guess that will have to be for next time. I walked back to the Castello Sforzesco. It's pretty immense, as well. It would be breathtakingly beautiful if it were made from a nice marble or something instead of red brick.
I left it and strolled through Parco Sempione towards the Porta Sempione.
Parco Sempione
Porta Sempione, with scaffolding
I bet it's quite impressive when you can see it not covered in scaffolding. I continued west-ish to the Feria. I'm guessing it's the complex built for a world fair? Whatever it was, they're demolishing the whole thing. It reminded me of peaking through the construction fence at the world trade center.
By this time it was already after 1 and I was hungry. I stopped and ate at a "Caffè." I got some pasta bolognesa and some fried eggplant. It was quite good. But the next two days I'd like to spend half that 10 euros for lunch. That might be hard in Como. Since it was already after mid-day and the temperature never warmed up, I decided to go back to get my jacket. I decided to get off at a different metro stop that seemed closer to me. I walked in the wrong direction and ended up at another train station where Asian people were selling coats and sweaters. I browsed and found a nice wool/cashmere blend pea coat that isn't too heavy. I don't have a black one at home, so I bought it for 30 euros. Sweet!
I went back in the direction of the hotel to groom my coat for wearing. It started raining so I ripped off the tag and wore it the rest of the way. I stopped at the fruit stand next door and got a prickly pear because you can never have too many. The owner was here and he greeted me with "Come va?" I said, "Va bene," and he nodded and said, "That's good." I replied, "Sì, io parlo un po' d'italiano." He started going off (jokingly), "Che calzo è...?!" Basically hounding me for making him speak English to me all evening the night before and what not. I just laughed. I ate my prickly pear and groomed the coat before heading out to wander. I hopped on the 33 tram, which stops directly in front of the hotel and took it to Milano Centrale. I noticed some nice cheap shops on my way so I got off at Centrale and walked back along the path of the tram. There was a shoe store with boots and such all for 30 euros. Too bad the largest size they carry is a 40 and I'm a 41. It's supposed to rain more tomorrow and Thursday and these Pumas get wet in even the smallest puddle because the sole is kind of on the inside and the fabric reaches all the way down to the ground.
I kept wandering around and the rain started again. The Pakistani looking guys all emerged with their umbrellas for sale. I asked one how much and he said 5 euros so I said no, too much and started to walk away. He said wait, and gave it to me for 4. It's not worth that but cold rain sucks. I decided to go back to the suggested restaurant and when I walked in, the chef was eating so I figured it wasn't yet open. The lady told me 7. It was 6:30. I walked back towards Loreto wandering how to find another cheapo shopping area like the one along the tram line. Then, I spotted a Peruvian restaurant. I ordered a "frutti di mare" plate, fried. It had squid, octopus, shrimp, mussels, fish and maybe other things buried underneath all that I couldn't eat. Jose would be amused to know that Latina women dress and act the same in Italy as they do in the US. Gaudy look-at-me-I-have-money-(well-sort-of,-my-husband-does) jewelry and clothes 2 sizes too small clearly marking every roll on their bodies while they gossip and gossip about everyone and everything. I think I honestly dislike that culture more and more every day. I love my Mexican, but I think it's because he got the only good trait--the passion--and almost none of the rest.
After I ate I went back to the cheap shopping area but it seems most places closed at 7. So, I went back to the hotel. I have a different roommate tonight. Still nice and peaceful in this big room. Buona sera!
I got up before 9 and took my time getting ready. I walked to Loreto and took the metro to Milano Centrale to take pictures since it was already dark last night when I arrived. That is one impressive structure. It's so much bigger than you think it is.
I got back on the metro and took it to the Santa Maria delle Grazie area. The suckiest thing about overcast days is when you can't see the sun to use it as a reference point. It's also not easy coming out of the metro because you usually turn this way and that on the way out and don't really know which direction you're going in. It took me a while to get my bearings and once I did I got to where I was going quite easily. I knew tickets to see da Vinci's Last Supper sold out in advance, but I was shocked to find out that it's sold out until the 15th of November. I was going to ask about tomorrow or Thursday. I guess that will have to be for next time. I walked back to the Castello Sforzesco. It's pretty immense, as well. It would be breathtakingly beautiful if it were made from a nice marble or something instead of red brick.
I left it and strolled through Parco Sempione towards the Porta Sempione.
Parco Sempione
Porta Sempione, with scaffolding
I bet it's quite impressive when you can see it not covered in scaffolding. I continued west-ish to the Feria. I'm guessing it's the complex built for a world fair? Whatever it was, they're demolishing the whole thing. It reminded me of peaking through the construction fence at the world trade center.
By this time it was already after 1 and I was hungry. I stopped and ate at a "Caffè." I got some pasta bolognesa and some fried eggplant. It was quite good. But the next two days I'd like to spend half that 10 euros for lunch. That might be hard in Como. Since it was already after mid-day and the temperature never warmed up, I decided to go back to get my jacket. I decided to get off at a different metro stop that seemed closer to me. I walked in the wrong direction and ended up at another train station where Asian people were selling coats and sweaters. I browsed and found a nice wool/cashmere blend pea coat that isn't too heavy. I don't have a black one at home, so I bought it for 30 euros. Sweet!
I went back in the direction of the hotel to groom my coat for wearing. It started raining so I ripped off the tag and wore it the rest of the way. I stopped at the fruit stand next door and got a prickly pear because you can never have too many. The owner was here and he greeted me with "Come va?" I said, "Va bene," and he nodded and said, "That's good." I replied, "Sì, io parlo un po' d'italiano." He started going off (jokingly), "Che calzo è...?!" Basically hounding me for making him speak English to me all evening the night before and what not. I just laughed. I ate my prickly pear and groomed the coat before heading out to wander. I hopped on the 33 tram, which stops directly in front of the hotel and took it to Milano Centrale. I noticed some nice cheap shops on my way so I got off at Centrale and walked back along the path of the tram. There was a shoe store with boots and such all for 30 euros. Too bad the largest size they carry is a 40 and I'm a 41. It's supposed to rain more tomorrow and Thursday and these Pumas get wet in even the smallest puddle because the sole is kind of on the inside and the fabric reaches all the way down to the ground.
I kept wandering around and the rain started again. The Pakistani looking guys all emerged with their umbrellas for sale. I asked one how much and he said 5 euros so I said no, too much and started to walk away. He said wait, and gave it to me for 4. It's not worth that but cold rain sucks. I decided to go back to the suggested restaurant and when I walked in, the chef was eating so I figured it wasn't yet open. The lady told me 7. It was 6:30. I walked back towards Loreto wandering how to find another cheapo shopping area like the one along the tram line. Then, I spotted a Peruvian restaurant. I ordered a "frutti di mare" plate, fried. It had squid, octopus, shrimp, mussels, fish and maybe other things buried underneath all that I couldn't eat. Jose would be amused to know that Latina women dress and act the same in Italy as they do in the US. Gaudy look-at-me-I-have-money-(well-sort-of,-my-husband-does) jewelry and clothes 2 sizes too small clearly marking every roll on their bodies while they gossip and gossip about everyone and everything. I think I honestly dislike that culture more and more every day. I love my Mexican, but I think it's because he got the only good trait--the passion--and almost none of the rest.
After I ate I went back to the cheap shopping area but it seems most places closed at 7. So, I went back to the hotel. I have a different roommate tonight. Still nice and peaceful in this big room. Buona sera!