We pulled into Milano dead on time (on Friday, 23 July) - brilliant. I now had the horrible task of putting on my pack and carrying my hand luggage. Why I didn't just travel with my passport and credit card is beyond me, it would have been so much easier. I have to keep thinking I'm going to be getting rid of some things tomorrow in Zurich - roll that on! My friend was very helpful and pointed me in the direction to get a taxi to the hotel, I just couldn't face getting the subway where I needed to change lines. Much easier to get into a taxi. I was pleasantly surprised how friendly the taxi driver was, he didn't speak any English but didn't rip me off. So much nicer than this mornings driver.
Checked into the hotel with no issues although I was a little surprised with how unfriendly the staff are, oh well only here for one night. Think they thought I was at the wrong hotel as I had a backpack.
Dropped off my bags in my nice but small room, I did have a balcony though which was a plus a shame I had to share it with my neighbours. Beggars can't be choosers!!
Headed out to visit the famous Duomo - decided to walk to wake up a bit (I was feeling sleepy after being on the train for 3.5 hours) and enjoy the site along the way. I was advised I would take me 15 minutes, unless of course I stopped along the way to shop..... Yeah right as if there would be stops! Me and shops aren't the best of friends unless it a shoe shop :)
I made an executive decision to leave my hat at home, I was in the city of fashion so wanted to at least have some kind of appearance I fitted in. I left my jandels (havaianas thank you very much) on and was pleased to see other people were wearing them as well. Finally made it to the ooh so famous Duomo, I was pleased to note the front was not covered with scaffolding this time. There was a small line to enter (I did line up this time correctly) really just to check the bags. My bag beeped but on looking it was due to my iPhone. Finally in and I was amused at how it didn't blow me away, the outside was by far nicer than the easier and it was so different to the churches I'd been into in Rome. Had a good look around before going back into the heat (have to say it's 34 degrees, fingers crossed my heat doesn't get burnt) to take photos of the outside. Walked through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele which is a glass domed gallery that houses some of Milan's fashionable clothes shops, bars and restaurants. I was shocked the McDonalds was one of the stores that took one of the famous corners. Are you serious!
Headed back to the hotel area in search of a supermarket, was taking Ange's advise in buying food from supermarkets rather than restaurant.
Got a couple of things then back to the room to relax before venturing out for dinner. Didn't have the cooking facilities to make anything in my room.
Milano is a city with trams, for those of you who have read my previous blogs I’m a big fan of trams. Great mode of transport!
I was rather surprised the buildings weren't all that great and definitely nowhere near as old as buildings in Roma. I feel like Milano is more of a 'normal' city, the footpaths are as like you would find in Blenheim - I mean how boring!
I was loving listening to the Italiano being spoken, and please with myself that I understood quite a lot. Aah it's good to be back.
I decided to head out for dinner just before 7pm, this way I thought people will just start to be going out but it wouldn't be too busy (so I'd get a table). I asked the hotel for a recommendation and within a couple of minutes was entering a pizzeria. I'd been told they don't take reservations but to wait. Well it was well worth it and thankfully I didn't have to wait. Within 5 minutes of sitting down the restaurant was full, I'd picked my time right. I went with a pizza recommended by my waiter, which was very good. I was surprised to see guests enter soaking wet, let's hope it passes before I leave. I tried to say something to the lady on the table next to me, she took me completely wrong and thought there was a problem - no problem just raining outside. If only I was back to speaking Italian close to fluency.
On leaving the rain had stopped, thank goodness and the line up to get in had started. Had a walk around the area before chilling in my room for the night. Thought it best to make use of it given I'll be camping (yes me camping) tomorrow and Saturday night.
Saturday I was woken up at 5am by the trams, this is when I'm not a big fan! It's all good and well they start early but please some people are trying to sleep. I did manage to go back to sleep for a couple of hours thank goodness. As breakfast wasn't included in my room rate I decided to walk around to find a bar for coffee and pastry. Spending EUR 30 on breakfast seemed far too expensive. Found a lovely place which seemed to be a 100 things in all well - and the huge plus is caffe latte and pastry only cost EUR 2....super bargain!
Back to the hotel via a supermarket to get fruit for my train journey. Couldn't get into my room which I thought was odd, I’d been very careful to keep the room key away from my cards. Tried it a couple of times then wondered if I had the wrong room so tried the room next to it. Again no luck so headed to reception to get then to add my room back on. Back to the floor I went and I was in, huge problem though......I was in the wrong room. Closed the door in lightning speed and was super glad no one was in the room - that would have made for a not so pleasant interaction. Straight back down to reception and asked for my key to be loaded with my room. I had no idea what it was now! Room number was right but floor was wrong, so third time lucky I entered the right room. Finished my packing, checked out and took a taxi to the train station. Of course I arrived early so had to stand around with this heavy load on my back trying to look like it wasn't heavy! Not an easy task I can assure you. Thankfully it wasn't too long before a platform was put up on the big screen and I was off, I was eager to get on and get my pack off me. Perhaps I'll leave it in Zurich for Ange and Aaron to take back to London. In good old German time the doors closed 1 minute before departure and dead on the mark we were off - ciao ciao Italia, Switzerland here I come! Well that's what I thought, then the ticket man came and I couldn't find my ticket. Wholly moley and bottles of rum this isn't a good start. With someone standing over you the pressure was on, thankfully after a couple of minutes he walked away and left me to sweat and search. Eek I was feeling nervous but knew it was here as I'd dropped it on the floor and the man next to me picked it up for me. All’s well in the end and I can now breath! 40 minutes after leaving we are in Switzerland, I'm expecting passport control but after a couple of minutes we are off - so who knows if we will have to go through passport control. Never fear I'm well aware of where my passport is.
The closer we got to Zurich the lower the clouds were, after awhile you couldn't see a few hundred meters in front of you. I noticed that the cars were driving with there lights on. The temperature was also dropping I know I wanted cooler weather but not winter - this was not good given I was in shorts, t-shirt and my trusty jandels. I know I'm going to freeze when I finally get off this train.
I'm sure the temperature will suit Mr. Iron Man for his big race tomorrow, I'll be on the side lines with my ski gear on (ok perhaps not but definitely my poncho which has travelled the world with me and never been used.) I'm now wishing I brought my umbrella, heaven know where it would have fitted though.
I must say the views on the trip were amazing, the landscape changed dramatically though once we entered Switzerland (the country with no boarder control).
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