Now that I’ve actually got something new and different to write about I thought I’d add another entry. So this past weekend I ventured out of Spain for the first time since my arrival in September. I went to Milan, Italy with my flatmate, Cecilia and we had a very unforgettable experience. After an hour bus ride to Alicante we flew to Milan and right away there were some big differences from Murcia. From the plane I could see vibrant green countryside which you don’t really see in the desert region of Spain. Also, everything was very wet. We got off the plane and had to pile into a shuttle bus to bring us to the actual airport building because of the rain. After waiting fifteen minutes or so for the bus to start moving we basically drove for half a minute to reach our destination. I would have willingly walked that short of a distance but it wasn’t like we were given an option so oh well. We next took a bus from Bergamo Airport to the center of Milan. Oh and apparently Bergamo is only two and a half hours from Venice, which I didn’t realize until after I got back from Italy. If only we’d had more time, that would have been a cool city to visit.
From the city center of Milan we took the metro to the stop that was one stop away from our hotel because it would have cost more to go further since it was out of the urban limit zone. If we’d known what would ensue, we would have definitely paid more to go all the way. So we walked out of the metro and of course it’s pouring cats and dogs and we walk in what we think is the correct direction aiming for the next metro stop where we just needed to take one left to get to our hotel. We passed the next metro stop and didn’t see the street so we kept going thinking it was just a little further. By this time we were fairly wet thanks to strong winds despite having umbrellas. Finally we both came to the conclusion that something was wrong since we still weren’t seeing our street. We asked a passerby where Via Fratelli Bandiera was and she understood a little English thank goodness and although she didn’t know exactly where the street was she said if we kept going we’d come to another metro stop (Precotto) where we could check the map. We then realized the awful truth. Precotto was a stop we’d passed on our way to where we got off, so the whole time we’d been backtracking and now needed to go back to the metro where we got off and walk the opposite direction to get to our hotel. This wouldn’t have been so bad if it was a nice day. But we were quickly becoming soaked to the bone and realizing we’d been going the wrong way the whole time was a little disheartening. So we began walking back and stopped in a little cafe to dry up for a bit and eat something. After staring out the window at the continuous downpour, we decided there was no point trying to dry off when we were most definitely going to get wet again so out we went this time heading in the right direction. About forty-five minutes later we ended up in the right neighborhood but were having a hard time finding the metro stop that was gonna guide us to our street. So we stopped in a store but the lady didn’t speak English nor Spanish so she tried to point us in the right direction. We understood sort of where to go thanks to her help, but stopped in a grocery store to pick up some food and ask for more directions to make sure we went the right way. After buying cookies, sweet bread and pop (yeah we were too miserable and wet to make healthy eating choices) we got directions and realized that our hotel was about two minutes away from the store. Over two and a half hours after we’d left the metro we finally reached our hotel and talk about a welcome sight. After checking in we decided to try and dry off (my pants and shoes were completely soaked as well as a lot of my clothes in my backpack) and rest for a few hours before going out for supper. However, the rain never let up even slightly and we both decided we’d rather stay dry and warm and eat our snack food than go back out for the night. It was a good decision because not long after a thunderstorm started and I was thankful to have stayed in.
Sunday I woke up to the sun shining and knew it was going to be a great day. After a quick breakfast at the hotel, we took the metro to Piazza Duomo to visit the impressive Duomo (cathedral in Italian) so that I could go to Mass before we began sightseeing. After 9am Mass I took some pictures inside and outside the beautiful cathedral then we got in line to visit a nearby museum. The building that houses the museum is right next to the Piazza Duomo and it is where Mussolini would give speeches overlooking the piazza (plaza). After waiting for a half hour or so and the line was barely moving we opted to skip the museum and headed in the direction of Castillo Sforzesco or in English, Sforza Castle. After walking around a bit we stopped for lunch at a pizza place where we got personal pizzas that were huge! I was pretty hungry so I have to admit I ate the entire thing. At least it was a thin crust pizza so I don’t feel too bad about it.
the Duomo
My giant pizza!
The rest of the day consisted of visiting Sforza Castle, Sempione Park, Arco della Pace (Arch of Peace) and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. These were all pretty cool places and I took lots of pictures. The Galleria is right next to the Duomo and is basically the fanciest shopping center ever. It has a glass roof and is filled with super expensive shops among them Prada, Gucci and Louis Vuitton. Needless to say, I didn’t buy anything. Oh yeah and I also made a stop for gelato once I actually was hungry again after my super satisfying lunch. We took the metro back to the hotel in the early evening where we relaxed for a few hours before venturing out for supper. There weren’t a ton of restaurant options in our hotel’s neighborhood so after walking around a bit we gave up on finding a pasta place and decided to eat pizza again. For about seven euros a piece we split a pizza and a calzone. The food was delicious and super filling and this time I couldn’t quite finish everything. I definitely think my craving for pizza has been satisfied for awhile.
Arco della Pace
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Monday, after packing up our backpacks and eating breakfast we bid adieu to Hotel Bristol. We made a quick stop to the nearby grocery store and while there we took pictures in the pasta aisle because it was Italy and just felt like the appropriate thing to do. The dude behind the meat counter witnessed us snapping photos and seemed to find it humorous. He asked us where we were from and upon learning we are living in Spain near Alicante he wasn’t too impressed. Apparently Alicante doesn’t have the greatest reputation or something. At least it’s not in the same region as Murcia so we’re good. Next we headed to the Duomo to go up to the terrazza (roof) and if it had been clear we would have been able to see the Alps but alas it was a rather dreary rainy day. Fortunately it wasn’t down pouring like Saturday, so we didn’t end up as wet and could still do a little sight-seeing. Despite not seeing the Alps, the view was still really cool from the roof and I went a little picture crazy. After descending, we stopped for gelato and as I was taking the first lick from my cone, the ice cream plopped to the floor. I was left staring at a cone completely devoid of ice cream. It was a tragic moment. Thankfully, a kind worker witnessed this disaster and let me get a another serving free. Yay for saving the day! I asked for a cup this time so that there wouldn’t be any danger of a repeat performance.
On the roof of the Duomo
Looking down on the Piazza Duomo
The green line metro was having repairs or something at certain stations, so we ended up having to walk a ways from one stop to the train station where we were planning to buy tickets in advance for the airport bus the next morning. On the way we came across a nice-looking restaurant where we stopped for lunch. The drizzly day made me in the mood for soup so I had a nice big bowl of onion soup with tons of bread on the side. After lunch and buying our bus tickets we chilled (literally) in the cold train station for an hour and a half or so before taking the metro to Mediolanum Forum for the big event of the night. Thank goodness we left at five because the green line metro kept going the wrong direction and we ended up getting on and off multiple times before deciding to change to the red line and then connecting up with the green line further along. We finally made it to the forum about an hour and a half later and then we had to wait outside in the cold for about forty-five minutes for the doors to open. The concert was worth the waiting and cold. The Kongos opened for OneRepublic and I only knew their song “Come With Me Now” but they weren’t bad. Although I saw the Native concert in the U.S. I didn’t mind at all going for a second time. Ryan Tedder is so incredibly talented and it was another fantastic performance.
OneRepublic!
After the awesome concert there was a massive exodus in the direction of the metro and there were long lines to buy tickets, to say nothing of how densely packed the metro cars were. Once we finally were on the metro we rode it as far as we could, but due to maintenance it didn’t go all the way to the train station. So we got off and were dreading the long walk ahead of us, when I spotted a bus that said stazione centrale which is where we were going. We got on and apparently it was just following the metro route and since the metro wasn’t working we didn’t have to pay anything. So crisis averted and we ended up at the train station in no time. Then we shivered in the cold station for two and a half hours and learned what it felt like to be homeless since most of the inhabitants were exactly that. It was awful and I now have a renewed sympathy for the plight of homeless people. When we were finally about to leave we headed for the nearest exit only to find it locked. Slightly nervous we walked to the next closest exit and once again it was locked. After checking the third one we decided to go to the police office and ask them how to get out because it was a panicky sensation being trapped in that huge train station. We were close to missing the first airport bus as a result, but the police said there was one exit open and eventually we found it and caught the bus a few minutes before it left. From there it was smooth sailing and by 7:40am we were boarding the plane for Alicante. As we were taxiing on the runway, I could see the Alps from my window and I tried to take some pictures but the mountains didn’t really show up. Once we were up in the air though I could see the Alps through the clouds below and that was pretty awesome. Overall it was a good experience in Milan but I was definitely happy to get back and sleep after the exhausting end to the trip.
The huge train station
Flying over the Alps
On Wednesday, I had a hard time adjusting to classes because I kept feeling like I should be on the Tuesday schedule since it was my first day back to school. While working with the students in second grade, I was asking what foods they liked and I especially enjoyed the answer I got from Loli. Lollipop. How positively fitting. On Thursday, much to my horror, I learned that I’m actually going to have to do some work outside of class. What?! I didn’t sign up for this! Just kidding, I guess it’s about time I actually put some extra effort into this teaching assistant thing. So I have to come up with activities and a step-by-step structure for preparing fourth graders for the Trinity English exam. My coordinator gave me three rather large stacks of papers to read up on before undertaking this task, so now I’ve got plans for this weekend that involve me, a large mug of coffee and some “light” reading. Okay well I’m definitely ending this entry right now because I don’t want to write anymore and I’m sure no one wants to read this much. Arrivederci!
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