A Rainy Day in Milan

  Milan, Lombardy, Italy
Saturday, September 13, 2008

Rainy Day in Milan

Our next stop on our adventure was Monterosso, Italy, gateway to Cinque Terre (The Five Lands), formerly a hidden jewel of the Italian Riviera (until Rick Steves made it a popular destination).  We had decided early on in the preliminary planning stages of our trip to stop at Milan or Pisa en route to Monterosso from Venice.  In the end, Milan won out as we had learned that the famous leaning tower of Pisa would be partially covered with scaffolding during our visit.  

A train strike delayed our arrival in Milan.  Consequently, our three-hour stop-over was now only one hour and we would not have any time to explore the city.  We decided to exchange our tickets for a later departure, which required waiting in a long line at the ticket window.  I stood in line, while Jay stood guard over our bags a few feet away.  When I got close to the front of the line, I got into an altercation with an Italian man. 

Rain, rain, go away!

 Apparently, he needed to catch a train that was leaving fairly shortly and everyone in the back of line had allowed him to cut in front of them.  However, by the time he got to the front of the line, the three parties in front of me had denied him the same courtesy, so he stood in front of me.  In English, I told him that I didn't think so and reclaimed my rightful spot in line.  I got a mouthful of Italian from him.  After I had made my ticket purchase, he mouthed off again and I flipped him the bird.  (I know - very classy of me.)  Suddenly, Jay rushed towards the man, which startled him since he had no idea that I had company with me.  I had to forcibly restrain Jay and lead him away from the ticket line.  It's not really one of my goals in life to have to bail Jay out of jail in a foreign country.  

The Duomo

After we had stored our luggage, we headed outside where it was pouring rain.  Luckily, the Metro station is just a few feet away.  A few stops later, we were at the Duomo di Milano (Cathedral of Milan).  Its facade is gorgeous and perhaps better enjoyed on a sunny day and without the partial scaffolding (covered in big bold Espirit ads) adorning its sides.  As we admired the Duomo, we were approached by no less than three guys trying to push birdseed (to feed the pigeons) and string bracelets on us within a time span of a few minutes.  

"Arigato!"

Now, we've been to our fair share of tourist attractions in Europe and street peddlers come with the territory, but we'd never been inundated like this. As we walked through the main thoroughfare, we spotted a large group of adolescents dressed in bright retro gear.  This was a perfect photo opportunity for Jay.  When the teens saw Jay with his camera, they shouted, "Arigato! You take our picture?"  "He's not Japanese.  We're American," I said.  "I'm Irish," was the reply back, in an Italian accent.

 

At Luini Panzerotti

Our first stop was Luini Panzerotti.  I had wanted to try a panzerotto ever since I saw Luini Panzerotti featured on an episode of Samantha Brown (ugh, I hate her) in Milan.  The bakery is famous for its fried stuffed panzerotti.  

Panzerotti

What is a panzerotto?  The best way I can describe it is that it's shaped sort of like an empanada but bigger and fatter and chewier.  You can have a sweet panzerotto stuffed with fruit like fig and apple or a savory one (tomato and cheese is the most popular combination).  

Taking a Big Bite

It was no surprise that the young lady helping us behind the counter was Filipina.  There are Filipinos all over Italy, which is what we discovered during our trip last year.  At our hotel in Venice, we befriended a couple of sisters from Cavite.  In Rome, my parents were given an impromptu tour of the city by a Filipina they'd met on the street, who even showed them how to use the Metro!  

Up on the Rooftop of the Duomo

 

Inside the Duomo

After lunch, we headed back to the Duomo and entered the cathedral, where we spent a few minutes admiring the interior.  The main attraction of the Duomo is actually its rooftops.  We purchased tickets for the lift and were on top of the Duomo within minutes.  Unfortunately, the rain had started back up again and it was coming down hard.  I was soaked by the time Jay was finished taking his photographs. 

Photographer Jay

 Despite all of the rain, we were able to appreciate the magnificence of the spires and flying buttresses.

Back on the ground, we crossed the street to get to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele.  This is a famous shopping mall in Milan.  I was in search of socks to cover my cold feet.  

At the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele

I found a pair of black socks at an upscale department store and immediately slipped them over my feet.  I did not care that I was wearing sandals and socks together.  Never mind that I was in the fashion capital of the world!  

The Black Socks

 

Even though we did not have the most pleasant experience during our first visit to Milan, we would definitely come back again...preferably on a sunny day!