FINITO.

Well actually not quite, we found all these nice photos on our phones from Tirano from where we caught the Bernina Express into Switzerland, yesterday

Tirano. Start of the Bernina

Tirano

Tirano

Ilze looking for a photo op.

Today is our last day in Milan, and indeed Italy, so we ventured forth one final time, to see what we could find in the centro storico. There was a promised public transport strike (second day in a row) but it seemed to be running just fine …. go figure!

We caught the Metro, yellow line (there are five all together, all different, helpful colours) to Duomo stazzione, to see, of course, the Duomo, Milan’s cathedral.

Spain’s Gaudi much have been inspired by the Duomo of Milan when he planned his cathedral in Barcelona. It has a surprisingly strong Roccoco (Google doesn’t like the spelling??) flavor, tall thin spires and sharp jagged angles and edges, and is simply astonishing to see from the outside. 3 Euro each to enter. The very tall ceiling is most unusual, all carved in stone (not a mural to be seen) and a sight to behold. The acoustics are wonderful; we could clearly hear a private mass being conducted in one of the small side chapels.

Duomo

Another naked Leonardo

Crypt under the Duomo

A stroll through the crowded Galleria Vittorio Emanuel II provided us with a view of a Christmas Tree decked out with Swarovski crystals, much dazzling bling in evidence.

Right across the street, on the other side of the Piazza Duomo sits the world famous La Scala Opera House. It is disappointingly non-descript from the outside, we didn’t realise what it was until we read the program of upcoming performances posted on the wall. There is a very interesting museum of historic opera paraphernalia, paintings, photographs, props and very blingy fake jeweler, as well as busts of famous composers.

Teatro alla Scala

At 1 pm daily, for an hour only (as rehearsals are being held for the upcoming performance), the lights of the Opera House are all turned on, and lo and behold, we mortals are permitted a dazzling display of the inside from one of only three boxes which are opened for the public. Amazing. The place is enormous, plush – the colours and size defy description, and hanging over everything in the very centre of the hall is an absolutely huge Murano chandelier. Really, I’d give my eye teeth to attend an opening night!

Lights off Lights on

Then it all went downhill. The Colonne Romane in San Lorenzo, the remains of a Roman colonnade turned out to be a fizzer after a 1.5 km trek through busy streets. We couldn’t even find the Parco Romana where there are supposedly the remains of Roman buildings and an amphitheater.

Its Roman

Home on the train. Some catch-up reading for me. A preliminary pack before going for dinner in our favorite restaurant in Italy, Ta Hua, a Chinese restaurant around the corner from our hotel, a surprise find, which serves delicious food, at incredibly low prices. It’s wise to book a table as it’s full house every night.

See you at Street-O on Monday night. Well, maybe not Monday, but certainly Wednesday.

Can’t wait to get home.

Water goes down the drain anti-clockwise. An amazing number of people still smoke in Italy, all streets are choked with cigarette butts. We’ve done a lot of passive smoking. You have to spend        1 Euro to spend a penny! – you have to pay to go into all public loos. Italians drive on the “wrong” side of the road, and all believe they are related to either Fangio or Ferrari. No driver will willingly stop at a pedestrian crossing to let you cross until the last possible momento; then you have to hold your breath, close your eyes, and hope for good brakes!

Ilze x

But if you ever only need one reason to visit Italy. It is this.

Its enough.