To Milan

We arrived in Milan by train, arriving at Central Station, a massive structure built in the Fascist style by Mussolini in 1931. Like something out of a ‘30s Nazi propaganda film, the building looms over one end of a modern boulevard, home to dozens of banks. However, walk one block away from the station or boulevard, and you are in
picturesque urban neighborhoods built in the 18^th and 19^th centuries.

Milan is a big city (4 million people, Italy’s 2^nd largest), and it’s the business capital of the country. It’s also the fashion capital and everyone dresses the part. Stylishly attired folk of every age sit in sidewalk cafés, pass you on the street, shop in the stores.  Tourists stand out in their casual dress, appearing a bit shabby by comparison.

Keeping up with the Milanese would be an expensive task. Home to the 400-euro knee-high boots and the 1200-euro Marilyn Monroe handbag, Milan stores demand a serious investment to look like a local. With Armani skinny jeans for men selling for 130 euros, no wonder Italians stock up on denim when they visit the US. (Conversion tip: multiply euros by 1.38 for the dollar value.)

Exploring the Duomo, 4^th largest cathedral in Europe, we were treated to a 10-minute organ performance resounding through that massive space.








 Afterward we enjoyed lunch at the rooftop café across the street, atop the swanky downtown department store, La Rinascente. Our table looked out on the hundreds of spires decorating the roof of the Duomo.

While many of our meals were quick pizzas and local “fast food,” there were some unusual dishes as well. Steamed octopus served with cannellini beans; a ravioli-style pasta filled with spinach and ricotta, then tossed with a sauce of sautéed chicken and rabbit livers (a lot better than it sounds); and a platter of six Lombardy cheeses served with chestnut honey and fig preserves. Cheese lover that I am, they were almost too strong for me.

We left for Atlanta on Wednesday, and though we hated to leave, we were looking forward to being home. There’s nothing like your own bed and your own shower, and people who speak a language you understand!