June 29 2012
Flew to Milano Italy late Wednesday. Arrived quite late but an easy walk to the lovely, small and very Italian Hotel King. Milano is of course very glamorous. Classic comment from Al – ‘I reckon all of the girls here are so good looking because they are all models’ – there must be millions of models in Milano because they are all so stylish. Arrived at the conference yesterday morning to register. Not far from the hotel (short walk) which is just terrific cause it is so damn hot!
The conference is being held at the Universita Cattolica and it is just amazing. The University is built around large courtyards – all green grass, brass sculptures surrounded by the cloisters – weather beaten marble columns, ancient brick and terracotta – of course they didn’t have air-conditioning hundreds of years ago so only down side is how hot it is.
The conference didn’t start until last night so Alex and I decided to visit Juliet in the absolutely wonderful town/city of Verona. What a place! We caught the train and wandered the streets. Wonderful coloured and shuttered buildings, cobbled stone streets and of course Juliet’s balcony – hundreds of people leaving letters to Juliet – it was truly wonderful and photos don’t do it justice. Oh just the most wonderful city. The arena (colosseum) was a real surprise. Much more intact than the one in Roma and a much more pleasant re-creation as an opera house. The opera was on last evening so we sat and listened as we ate dinner beside the arena.
Our train trip back to Milano was quite eventful – a large group of teenage boys boarded the train and the noise was unbelievable. I was a little worried because they were screaming and jumping so much the whole train was shaking. We finally realised that they were watching the soccer on mobile phones. When Italy scored the second point I thought the train was going to be derailed – the screaming and jumping shook the whole train and it was happening in every carriage!
We arrived back into Milano into total pandemonium. The street was full of screaming people waving Italian flags and cars were blaring horns. Hatchback cars were coming past with their backs open with piles of people hanging out the backs draped in Italian flags. There were people in boots of cars, sitting riding outside windows in cars and the motor bikes were blaring – oh grand final day in Australia is so damn boring! As we walked to the hotel they were playing soccer amongst the frenetic Italian traffic with motor bikes, blaring horns and screaming Italians laughing and crying – I think we will need to stay inside on Sunday when Italy plays Spain. When we go back to the hotel even the concierge was partying. The funny thing was that the police were joining in. I couldn’t quite imagine the constabulary in Australian being quite so tolerant – but oh Soccer and Italy is another story.
I presented today and it all went really well. We are now back in the hotel. It is 6.10pm and still so hot outside. Alex is snoring beside me and I am laying down in the air conditioned comfort watching CNN Egypt coverage of the president elect. We will move soon and look for more pasta (too damn hot for wine) and limone granita.
The Duomo in Milano is pretty amazing and the piazza just so glamorous – beautiful buildings full of so beautiful people. We will wander down and find a place to eat. Millions of cafes outside. Only thing that gets to you is the thousands of smoking Italians. No smoking in restaurants definitely hasn’t reached Italy!
Of course when in Italy …
Milano style albeit un-ironed
Sleeping under the stars 