After our harrowing journey through Berlin, Flor and I were beyond exhausted. We hadn’t slept, except in broken bits, in a 24 hours period and Flor was actually getting a cold.
We took the easy way from the airport, we paid a charter bus to take us into town and we also paid the return trip so that when we needed to return to Milan for our flight home we would be taken care of. After the bus, we were left with the job of locating our hostel on the giant map of Milan and then getting there on a series of trains. It was actually quite easy but seemed daunting because we were so tired.
Flor is a master of randomly picking hostels that are near bus or train stations. we walked about 6 blocks and arrived at our lovely hostel Hotel Panizza. This hostel was pretty good. I actually really liked it. For 24 Euros each, we got the room, breakfast, WiFi, and linens. I had no complaints.
Flor was actually feverish and having chills so we wrapped her up in blankets and then both took a nap. Sleeping in a bed is a beautiful thing. We woke up a little later and headed out to a little pizza place, recommended by the hostel and had dinner, after which we took a walk.
Walking around Milan, just for enjoyment, was so nice. It is just a big city and it was nighttime, so it was very relaxing. We found a little gelato store and Flor got her Italian ice cream. I must admit that it was delicious. It is creamier and richer than American ice cream. We found a big park with several playgrounds and benches on our journey. We even got lost for a minute. Quite nice.
The next morning, we got up, ate breakfast, and headed off to the Duomo. Climbing out of the stairs at the station marked Duomo, I was still expecting to have to walk a little bit to get there, but nope, we were right there, literally next to it.
I love Italian Gothic architecture. This cathedral is every bit gorgeous, imposing and overwhelming. I have to admit, I was very happy to go inside but more excited to see the outside and the bustle of the post Carnivale celebrations. Everywhere you turned you saw children in costumes, vendors selling souvenirs, confetti EVERYWHERE! It was so fun.We did learn quickly that the Italian scam artists have it down.
While walking in the square, two men came, grabbed our cameras, put popcorn kernels in our hands and started snapping pictures of us with our arms and hands covered in pigeons. It was phenomenal. They wanted a ton of money but we gave them a little and made our way toward the end of the square opposite the cathedral. There, we were approached by men from Senegal who grabbed our wrists and tied pretty colorful bracelets on them and then asked for a donation. They too got a little as we made our way onward.
It was very nice to just stroll around and take in the environment. We wandered in a somewhat circle and came back through a large domed corridor that was lovely. The most memorable part of the corridor though, was the Group with the signs proclaiming “Free Hugs!” The couch surfers were out in a cluster just hugging people. So we got our free hugs and then headed back to the hostel to head to Venice. That process was so much simpler than any process we had dealt with up until that point.
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