Milan

Italy has always been up there with France as most exciting European places to visit pre-departure. All those years of high-school education - Classical studies, Latin, Ancient History, Religion. All of this has instilled in me a desire to see what's become of the once greatest ancient Empire of all time. I'm excited for Rome, The Eternal City. Home also to the oldest organisation comprised of humans in the world, the Catholic Church. I'm curious to see how close modern Italy comes to my expectations. I'm so excited.

For such a short stay it's vital to watch out for stereotypes.

• Our hotel had a beautiful view overlooking the typical Italian street that was Via Copernico. I found the most exciting gelato place nearby. After counting 80 different flavours of gelato, I ordered the Donatella one without even asking for a sample because the name sold itself and it looked like it was somehow derived from chocolate…
• Cars are small and many are two-seaters. Not very family-oriented and not something I particularly admire because personally I call it a 'selfish' car. I don't think I'd be friends with anyone who owns one of those – well at least until I get my own driver's license.
• On a quiet street it somehow seemed necessary for a lone car on the road to skid past and zoom at the corner past the pedestrian crossing, because that's how he rolled. 
• Hand gestures are not that universal. This is not a body language I am familiar with and the polizia can frequently be found doing some of these whilst killing time chatting on their mobile phones. I think they’re talking about how he likes his lasagna. I did see a guy put up his middle finger at the skidding guy -now there's a language I understand.
• I also don't know if cars come with built-in wolf-whistles. 

The next day I stuffed myself as usual with the included buffet breakfast - the stand out being the amazing cafe latte that I just got from the machine! We walked to the city centre, and of course went to see the beautiful Duomo. One of the oldest in the world. The funniest thing happened and we tried to get in at two different entrances, denied each time for "inappropriate dress" -Anna's shorts, and my sleeveless top. I actually was sort of angry because I’d thought I was pretty modest, given that the straps covered most of my shoulders. I'm really going to have to re-think my modesty standards though, probably with a bit more humility. It's funny because in my experience, if you asked security guards for anything in English, they literally just give you a pretty scary "wtf" face. Like why-do-you-even-bother face. Haha I can't even describe it in words. Nevertheless we went to the nearest Zara and had another excuse to go shopping.

From there we did a walking route for the ancient landmarks of the city. Unfortunately, it was a Lunedi and for the most part, were all closed, which was such a disappointment for our only full day in the city, but we continued despite the heat. Something that was open was the Basilica of St Ambrose, and that was fantastic. I tried to make out some of the Latin in the walls and discovered I'd gone rusty. But one of my favourite things about all these European cathedrals is the fact that a lot of them have crypts. This one was located behind the altar and housed the body of St Ambrose, one of the early Church fathers, laying in between by two martyrs to the faith. The Duomo had some corpses (though masked) as well, flanking the wings of the church, and I just had to note the beautiful Italian leather shoes they had on…

There was also a Leonardo da Vinci exhibition showing at the Piazza della Scala, "Il Mondo di Leonardo" that was on which I reallyy wanted to go to. He’s such an intriguing personality to me. The artist and the inventor! It would feature hundreds of 3D reconstructions, working models of his machines and digitalised restorations of his paintings. Anna wasn't as keen though… Fair enough. I tell myself I will be back.

We finished off the day with dinner overlooking the Duomo, watching people as I ate my delicious dinner of cheesy gnocchi. The Russian dude next to us seemed to be the most annoying customer ever and I wanted to slap him in the face. So needy! So rich! So racist to the Indian waiter! He had his chauffeur and deluxe shopping bags, all topped off with a younger, very busty wife (mistress?). I've picked up  snippets of Tagalog as I walk the streets. There are actually lots of Filipinos here! Residents and tourists, which I hadn't seen much of at all during my stay in Europe. Feeling patriotic and right at home haha.

Uh-oh. There it goes again. The transit officer just gave me the wtf face as he checked my ticket. Tsk tsk. Hand gesture. Chatting to nearby passenger for interpretation. Apparently we're on the wrong train to Rome! The tattooed man from before must have been saying I was on his seat but no hablo italiano... Our ticket was apparently for an express service, and we will be here 5 hours longer than expected! NOOOOOO I don't want a long journey this time… There's already so much we have to do and five days is not enough as it is!!!! We have to wait. Patience. It's part of the whole traveling game I guess. Oh by the way I'd discovered I'd lost a credit card this morning... Ha I'm so bad at this.