Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Milan: First Impressions

So, today was my first day in Milan! Here is a snapshot of some of my first impressions and sights.

  • Subways, about on par with NYC as far as cleanliness goes, but not as nice as DC Metro.
  • People, very friendly, even the pan handlers and scam artists.
  • Subways again, don't use around 2pm if you are claustrophobic or afraid of crowds. You are packed in like sardines in a can.
  • City reminds me of LA, in that you can see the air. But it has much more charm than LA.
  • Cathedral: WOW!!!
  • Cathedral: WOW!!!
  • Yes, it was that good! Only problem, you either have to be sneaky or buy a ticket to take pictures inside. Entry is free, though if you want to go up to the roof terraces, it will cost you 7 euros.
  • Totally worth it though, because of the view over all of Milan, and so you can say you walked on the roof of a cathedral!
  • One more mention on scam artists, ignore Africans with bunches of little cords in major tourist areas.
  • It wouldn't be a visit to Italy without some gelato. Chocolate and lemon go quite well together, followed by authentic Neapolitan pizza (the chef was from Naples, so that is why I call it authentic).
  • Cars are much more varied than in Vienna. More cheap, older cars, more Asian and American brands, and more variation in size. I saw everything from an F-150 to a Toyota smaller than a Smart car. All that said, I never thought I would think of a Mini Clubman as a large car, but now I do.
  • Hotel, from the street last night, I wondered what sort of dive I had picked (I was going for cheap, but not a dive). Then I actually checked in and was quite surprised! Elegant lobby, and rooms furnished in modern, yet elegant furniture.
  • Of course, not everything is perfect. Some of the fixtures in the bathroom are loose, like the sink faucet, and light switch plate. 


That's all for now. When I get back to Bogi, I'll do a full post about the adventures I've had here, plus photos.

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