6/15 -- Transfer to Milan and Explore a Bit

We left Monterosso on the same multiple vehicle plan as we did entering. Two hours into our journey was a mandatory 30 minute rest break for the driver. We managed to avoid buying chocolate, soda, AND Magnum Bars (only because they didn't have varieties that we wanted).

Although we didn't buy it, I was fascinated
by the bottle of Limoncello.  Maybe if I find it
again, I'll succumb.

The bus dropped us off in the canal area of Milan (who knew they had canals???) and we walked to a nearby bistro for a light lunch. Afterward, Mara showed us where there used to be a dock and the canals were used for transport. We also walked into an artist's alley to visit a shop with all sorts of old photos of Milan for sale. I thought it would be tacky  to take pictures of them, but there were a couple that were special: several of the Beatles visiting Milan, and one of a bride boarding a tram car that was marked special for the bridal party.

Above/Below: this dinky canal was used by sailors to wash
their clothes. The closeup shows the rock scrub boards.

 

Sort of an Arc d' Triomphe wannabe near the tram stop

We hopped on a tram and traveled toward the Duomo, near our hotel. It is wildly elaborate with a ridiculous number of spires.

The old rule was that no building  in Milan
could be taller than this golden Mary on
the tallest spire of the Duomo. Then reality
struck. The work-around is to put a copy of
golden Mary on the new taller building
for a about a month.

From there it was not a long walk to the hotel where we met Davide again (after we saw him in Alesund, Norway) and said goodbye to Mara. A short time after we got to our rooms, we left for an orientation walk in the area and found the ATM and possible restaurants. We walked to La Scala to take a look, but there were rehearsals so we will have to wait til tomorrow afternoon if we want to take a gander inside.

Interesting fountain  near the hotel

Huge Samsung screen with ads up against
a part of the Duomo that has been under
renovation for the last 15 years. Disconcerting
to see Samsung phone ads on the cathedral.

This is a stumble stone, which is found all over Europe as
a way to memorialize the Jews who were impacted by the
Holocaust. This man was arrested March, deported,and
killed in April.

 Above/below: David led us to a church that
primarily ministers to Tamils from Sri Lanka.
One room is an ossuary, with artistically
arranged bones.

 

 

La Scala

 

Old car we saw parked near La Scala

I have been steaming through my body lotion faster than anticipated due to the dry conditions up north, and saw the shop that carries my brand on the tram ride, so we googled directions and walked there to get a travel tube. The way there was challenged because there was some sort of car rally going on, so lots of people and a few cars were making progress difficult. We had seen one of the rally cars at a stop light earlier before realizing it was part of a big thing. At the time, it seemed like a hot-rodder who didn't know any better showing off his loud, sponsor-painted car.

A couple last looks at the Duomo

Back at the hotel, it was time to recuperate from yet another 13,000 step day.