what’s to love in milan
Milan is like New York City - only with better food and creepier street people. And because I had just grown tired of and moved away from NYC, I was a little put off at first. Or a lot.
Especially after a couple days in sleepy Turin, the metropolitan rush of Milan was a shock. After dropping my bag at the hostel, I wandered down to the Duomo, fending off the pigeon food sellers and other assorted con artists (after a while, “No, thank you” becomes, “No. Get lost!” and you don’t even feel badly about it) and then decided I’d had enough.
Basta.
So I took myself to the American Bookstore (corner of Via Dante and Via Camperio), bought a couple of novels and planted myself in Parco Sempione. Where I ate grilled panini from a park vendor and read my book on a sunny park bench for the rest of the afternoon. And that’s when Milan became a-okay by me. When I found something a little more my speed.
Now, I know there’s no rule that says you have to love every foreign city you visit, but I have a rule that I have to find something to love, or at least like, about every place I go. Here’s what I liked about Milan:
I loved the pumpkin soup at Il Panino Giusto. Or the panini at Panino Guisto. Such great, cheap food. I loved the sacrilegious feeling of seeing Prada or Dolce & Gabana ads plastered on churches and cathedrals. Even god is for sale! I loved the strange contrast of walking by a pungent (phew!) fish shop, and realizing its neighbor is a ritzy shoe boutique, and the public transportation that looks like caterpillars creeping through the city. Italy, it is strange and wonderful.
Fish,
I LOVE Milan (I studied abroad there). True, it’s different from most places in Italy, much more NYC, much less La Dolce Vita. But there are many lovely little neighborhoods and quiet parks, like the one that you found, which still bring out such fond memories from me, 5 years later. If you’ll be there for a day or so more and want some suggestions, please email me. ENJOY!!!
ya know, im kinda disappointed. i thought your travel blog would have much more important, REAL info. i can get the dirt on tourist traps and famous sites and whatnot from the discovery channel and any second hand guidebook. I want to know things like where you stayed, ate, partied, strolled, if it was any good or we should avoid it like a rabid dog. Give me the good stuff!
oh wait.. wait. i take that back. i just found your hostel section
A case of foot in the mouth before my brain sends its neurons to my eyes.
And I’m kind of surprised that you’d leave that comment on a post where I told you exactly where I strolled, what I ate - so off the guidebook recommendations it couldn’t have BEEN less touristy and more real.
You didn’t mention the fact that even though there’s a McDonald’s every 3-4 blocks (it’s like Starbucks in NYC), and that every single one is always packed, everyone you see on the streets is thin, sophisticated, and beautiful.
And if you think Milan is bustling, wait until you get to Rome.