milan, you lookin' fineee.

Adventures were abundant this weekend. Because of this, a two part post will take place so you aren't reading for longer than usual. First, we will look at the grandness of Milano. I feel because I dissed it so much before with my dirty comments, I should allow it to redeem itself. Well, it did a fine job. It still isn't the best city in the world. (Have you ever been to Omaha, NE?) However, I will say that a few of its finer points were observed on Saturday.

I took a "Classical Tour" of Milan through the university which allowed me to see that Milan has some hidden eggs in its basket. Needless to say, its ugly points have decreased. Way to go, Milan!

First, we went to Duomo. Yes, each time I see it, I am still amazed with everything about it. There is just so much detail and fantastic-ness that I can't even put it into words. And, because of that I will not even make an attempt. Okay, I lied. I just have to say something so you understand what I mean. Mostly, its because I can't not put my two cents in about it! It is 515ft long, 302ft wide (at its widest point) and can hold up to 40,000 people. That is like all the undergraduates at the University of Illinois attending one shin-dig! Sorry, grad students, you are so not welcome to come to our party. There are thousands of statues, spires and gargoyles covering the building. Basically, its fantastic. I wouldn't say I would want that as my own house (it has a little too much Gothic influences for my taste) but it does allow Milan to gain another beauty point!

I have already posted one example of it on my blog, but here are two more pictures to wake up the old noggin:

(one of the front doors - during WWII, many bombs exploded right in front of these doors)

Some people got to go inside. You can also pay to go to the very top to Duomo (apparently, you can walk on the roof!) but to get inside you must be dressed modestly (shoulders and knees covered). I wanted to go in but my knees were showing. I know, I know. I'll stop being such a floozy. Hopefully, I will get to go in soon. Its not like I'll be here for a few months or anything.

Right next to the Duomo is this big structure-like thing called Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. It is a glass roofed structure linking two piazzas (the one with Duomo and the one with La Scala which we will get to next). There are murals on the four corners of the non-glassed ceiling part that show each of the continents involved in the war (but I can't remember which one - its either WWI or WWII - but I am pretty sure it is WWII).


Another fun fact is that in the center on the floor (near the north side) is this bull. Legend has it (according to our tour guide) that whoever was building this wanted a way to break the frigid aura that Milanese women gave away. Apparently, they were quite uptight. So he thought that if he made this bull have large testicles then the women would take it as a sign of respect because it acknowledged the power these women had over men. So, for good luck, people from all over try to make a turn by grinding their heel on the bull's testicles. (Ouchie!) I hope that is not a foreshadowing for the men in these women's lives. In the beginning, they tried replacing the piece once it wore down. Then they got smart and gave up so now there is just a missing part of the mosaic on the floor. I don't know if this story if true, but either way its a pleasant tail to tell the grandchildren...or not at all.


For my fashionistas, this is also the location of the first Prada store EVER. Yes, I took a picture of it. Wouldn't you? I didn't go in but I did take a peek. It's like Milan is trying to ruin my bank account with all of its gorgeous material items. (Hey, call me shallow. I dare you.)

[Lonely Planet told me that there is supposed to be a 7-star hotel here (the world's second) but I didn't see it. Don't worry - I will find it and I will go into it...and then tell you all about it. I have to! Its like my calling in life!...or something]

After roaming around this galleria we finally hit La Scala. For you opera buffs, this is known as one of the finest opera houses in the world. Or to the Milanese, THE finest. Prices are way high but I've been told they are totally worth it. Unfortunately, I just can't get into this kind of stuff. I went to one back in the day for class and I fell asleep. Luckily, it was dark and my teacher couldn't see me. There is also a statue of Leonardo Da Vinci looking to the front of the building. Pretty cool really. This was the first building in Milan to be fixed after the WWII bombings.


Our next stop was to take a winding tour through the business district of Milan (it was a Saturday and therefore, empty) and part of the shopping area. I preferred this section of Milan much more than what I have been seeing on a day-to-day basis. It was just more elegant and sophisticated. It was some place I could see Italian men making business deals or agonizing over the making of the latest handbag. Basically, it was one of those "wealthy up the wazoo" locations that made me giddy to see. (Milan is in one of the wealthiest provinces in Italy.)

This was definitely my chance to see some of the shops that housed a variety of up-and-coming home designs. A little piece of knowledge: Milan is "indisputably the world's capital realm of fashion for the home."

(I don't have any distinguishing shots from this part...sorry!)

If you haven't lost me already, there is one more stop that completed the tour: Castello Sforzesco. Basically, its a castle. I don't really remember what the tour guide said about this because I was getting tired. I just remember it was kind of a big deal and that some famous paintings and sculptures are still housed in the 10 museums that occupy the castle.


On the way home, we decided we had walked enough and got gelato. I enjoyed it immensely and was revived enough to be able to finish my chatting as we made our way home.

Next post: Venice! (And, yes, it will be just as long...)

P.S. Pictures will be posted on Facebook soon (tomorrow maybe?). If we aren't friends or you can't see them, let me know. I figure if I am Facebook friends with my parents there is really nothing to hide anymore.