Milan, Italy March 21 / 22

I took the train south from Zurich to Milan. The tracks were on the western edge of the alps.

I arrived in the middle of a Tuesday afternoon. Since Milan surrounds the Duomo, its only natural that the tourist office be there. The Europe by Eurail books information about this city was invaluable. I stored my luggage, hopped on the subway and was at the Duomo as quick as possible.

1602 - oh that's 4:02pm in American. You know most of the world runs on the 24 hour clock. One o'clock occurs only once a day the other is 1300 hours. Anyway I was two minutes too late. PHUCK!!! Closed at 4pm??? W T F!!! The Eurail book was locked up with my luggage. It would have had a list of streets to shop to find a good hotel. All I had was the subway stop and address of the CLOSED tourist office.

I stood there for a few minutes watching other tourists pull and push on the doors before I thought of plan B. I followed the trams direction. The first hotel I saw, had a vacancy and was only 80 euros a night. I asked to see the room. I decided to keep walking.

I saw what looked to be a 4 star hotel and wasn't sure where I was in relation to the Duomo or the train station for that matter. The streets meander and curve and can easily help you get lost. So I asked reception if they have a vacancy for three nights. He called a couple people to see if they were going to use their reservations, he called the owner for permission to put me in. Apparently is was festival weekend and my third night was on a sold out weekend.

He hung up with the owner and said he would call one of their other hotels. I understood Italian for the first time. He was inquiring about getting the correct room for me. He said in Italian that I was a large man and that I needed a large bed. I laughed right on cue and the look in his eyes said that he knew that I spoke Italian. I don't.

He gave a rate of about $150 a night which was more than the average I planned on, but I've had a few below the average and I was in a jam - Sure, I'll take it. He gave me directions, to the sister hotel. As I found myself back along the tram tracks I saw the hotel. Didn't look like anything special but it was better than the first one I saw. The reception area looked like the 1970's but no tackiness to it. The chrome, wood and tile all worked together.

The bellman brought me to my room, which looked very nice. King sized bed, mini bar, lots of closet space. Light switches all around the room. The door key, when stored correctly, activated the room. The lights turned on, the switches all worked. Window blinds controls were active... He left. I entered the bathroom.

(cue dramatic music)

WOW

A truly gorgeous bathroom. The bathroom was nearly as big as the sleeping room. Linens hanging in addition to the towels... Bidet and toilet... Corner shower. This was a nice hotel room - very nice for this budget range.

Ok - got a room. Now I need my stuff. The hotel reception told me what tram to take and how to buy a ticket (Damn tourIST OFFICE!!!). The best part was when he told me that when I see the station, "the big building" as he called it, I should get off. Well... taking the subway to the duomo, I never saw the outside of the train station.

I sat on this quaint trolley car. It was just as timeless as the cable cars in San Francisco. Strange how little english is used on either system. I didn't have a map on me, so I had no idea where the trolley was going. Wouldn't have helped, I didn't know where I was to start with. I hear someone say "...Centrale..." (sen-trall-ay) and at the next stop almost everyone got off the trolley. Piece of cake.

Grabbed my bag and stand at a taxi stand for about 30 minutes. No taxi appears. One by one people leave the line and never come back. I leave one woman in the evaporating line and find the real taxi line.

I'm standing behind a three Italian women. All about 5'10" with heels they are almost as tall as I am. I notice their long luxurious hair, the tight jeans, and the long legs. The line was moving slowly. At first, I was trying to pick up on what they were talking about then I was just gawking. Two women were young 19 - 20 ish and the third and the most beautiful woman was older. Mid to late 50's. One of the young ones caught my roving eyes and smiled at me.

She told the older woman something about me. And they glanced at me and smiled. I smiled back. They were hot and they knew it. No acting on their part. They must get it all the time. A cab for me pulled up and I loaded the bag and handed the address to the driver. I looked over and the young one, who caught me checking them out, was looking over at me as we pulled away.

I realized that there were good looking - fine women, everywhere I looked. I was sure that I would like Milan. There's so much to see.


I saw this at Centrale Station, Milan - It cracked me up:

He was loved by many, tagged by one


I spent March 22nd out walking and geocaching. I found out that viewings of Da Vinci's last supper was booked weeks in advance and there was only one way I was going to see it was to take the bus tour of Milan. I planned for that on the 23rd.

I walked around for a while following where the gps pointed. I found 2 out of 4. A nice sunny day. It felt warm like spring. I had a fun day stopping here and there for something to eat or drink and to watch all the people hurrying somewhere. Doner count is now at 4 - I think.

The front desk clerk recommended a good restaurant and I headed over. It was around 7pm. They weren't open yet. Finally, a city that runs on my time. Breakfast at 9 lunch at 3 and dinner at nine. I walked around for a while and found a snack store - actually it was a market that had everything. I stocked up on water, soda, beer and munchies. "Screw you mini-bar!"

The waitstaff, of the restaunt, spoke english (and german and french and greek...) and could help a deaf mute order a meal in which he knew exactly what he was ordering. I ordered the house wine and was satisfied from that moment forward. This was a wonderful meal. Vino, salad, fresh bread, olive oil, pasta, veal and it was all very simple - or so they made it appear. I felt warm and full as I took a roundabout way back to the hotel. I was in Milan for just over 24 hours and was extremely satisified.

Flamingos along my path:



Improvise:








.