Quadrilatero della Moda

It is stating the obvious to write that Milan is fashionable.  But thats exactly what it is.  Maybe the reputation has influenced me, but it does seem the shopping is sexier here.  The Quadrilatero della Moda is New York's 5th Avenue but set in a more tranquil environment.  It is basically four blocks of top designer boutiques.  The window displays are themselves a work of art, maybe more like fruit tempting to the taste.  The big names (Versace, Armani, Ferragamo, Gucci) all seem bigger in Italy.  Reality is, prices are too high to be an active athlete in this universal sport.  For now, I ride the bench but will be back to play some other time soon. I despise the people who come to American malls and take pictures inside, therefore I limited the amount of pictures based on principle.

Last Supper

There is a two week waiting list to see the "Last Supper" painting.  We were informed of this at the ticket office.  Two weeks. One of the most famous paintings in the world and we can't even see it? sounds like a cover up to me.  Maybe the DaVinci Code was really on to something.  A little upset, but sort of amused, we took some pics outside before back into the subway to head over to see the "School of Athens" painting (turns out that painting is in Rome, and only the sketch is in Milan - what planning).  As I sat on the bench of the dirty subway platforms, basking in an underground system resembling that of New York's, I looked across to see a framed picture.  It could almost be a painting.  Lined up in front of me was a scene of biblical proportions.  I may not have seen the "Last Supper" but the resulting photo looks a bit familiar, no?

Outside the Duomo

Max didn't really know what to do.  Outside the church, and in front of the archway, a random man approached him and stuck a few seeds in his hand.  Before he could react and I could tell the guy to go away, a flock of birds was upon him.  From all angles they attacked, not Max, but the seeds in his hand.  I have a batch of photos of the incident but this one seems to capture the moment best.  It was all pleasant until the gentleman demanded 10 euros.  I almost had to attack myself but Max gave him 4 and we were on our way.

Milan

I am disheartened by my inability to effectively keep an up-to-date blog over here in Europe.  I feel though that I must adapt.  I will make an effort at choice points to enter some text but I will mostly let pictures speak.  I have currently taken over 2000 photos and feel that photos are capturing the highlights beautifully.  The rain of photos will begin now.

Train to Italy

Geneva

Max and I reunited in Geneva for a day.  Life without cellphones had to have been more exciting.  I didn't know the name of the hostel in which Max was staying, also our place to meet up, so I had to find internet.  McDonalds has typically been our savior on this front, consistently offering free wireless to customers.  I found one, sat down, and was denied access because I didn't have a cell-phone number.  Necessity forced me to find other ways of access and I learned that my Ipod can be useful for this as well.  I walked around town until my Ipod found free wireless.  Eventually I found a connection and then reconnected with Max. After a difficult beginning, we walked around town admiring the natural beauty of Switzerland and the not natural beauty of the watches, cars, and architecture.  The sun was high and hot.  Due to a national holiday most of the stores, again, were closed.  Probably all the better because we might have come away with a couple watches, each. We admired the lakes, the boats, the flowers in bloom, and the live four piece band. The music was a good way to close out another short stay in another new country. 

Lausanne Switzerland

Swiss Cheese. Swiss army knife. Swiss Family Robinson. I was very limited on any ideas of what Switzerland would offer. Not as limited as I have suggested but I am making a point. We wouldn’t have enough time to give the country a full check-up so we just checked the vitals. Max and I split so I could visit a friend from Texas Law who is studying law in Lausanne. The town is the cleanest one to which I have ever been. I commented that the weather and style felt very San Francisco and turns out the all-knowing books describe it that way exactly. The alps sit up close to the lake and create a geography teacher’s dream. I will remember Lausanne for the fresh air, friendship and Ferraris. The last of which there were plenty.

Nos Vemos Spain

Spain came and went, but it was just a taste. It was only the first sip of the wine and we will drink the entire bottle on another journey sometime soon. We crammed as much site seeing as possible into a two day-three night stay. Switzerland next.

Barcelona's Beach

New York has no beach. The Jersey shore does not count. Barcelona does have a beach, and a magnificent one at that. This is where the breathtaking occurs (sorry Gaudi). One minute we were walking next to graffiti, on concrete, dodging cars, and obeying traffic signals and the next we are on sand, shirtless, drinking smoothies, and trying not to get caught staring too long at the topless beauties. There is no transition from metropolis to ocean paradise. It feels like when you take that one tequila shot too many and all of a sudden find yourself having the best time of your life. That is what the beach here does to you. Sand. Sun. Water. The natural beauty was a sparkling end to a day of city viewing.

Sagrada Familia

The church will be done in 20 years, yet it is already a visual masterpiece. I almost think they should never finish it, as it seems it adds to its allure. Gaudi designed the church and his magic can be found on every square inch. The likenesses of the biblical characters are sculpted in what seems to be cubic form. The ceilings are crafted like a boquet of flowers. The towers remind me of the buildup of fallen candle wax. Max and I took the elevator to the point and had birds’ eye views of the city. I think I am scared of heights because it took a lot of mental strength to get myself down. The spiral “staircase” could not have been the most accommodating choice for getting up and down this architectural masterpiece. Yeah, I know it’s a tourist site, but its one that it is well worth it and a must see. The coolest church not completely built.

Best Pic Nominee 4

St. Josep Mercat

In the middle of Las Ramblas, the huge shopping avenue in Barcelona, sits a thriving open air market. Markets continue to be a favorite stop on any trip. The stalls in Latin America always provided interesting people, goods, and foods for viewing – it is the same here in Europe. Fresh fish, spices, polished vegetables and fruits are all available for just a few euros. I passed on the full pig and decided upon a fruit assortment instead. The pictures pass the message here.

Former President W

Park Guell

Gaudi also designed a park that would later become open to the public. Guell is located at the top of a gigantic San Francisco style hill but lucky for us Barcelona has installed escalators for visiting Americans. The benches and ornamental structures are ornamented with broken tile mosaics. This adds a splash exotic color against the lush green background of the vegetation. Beautiful to say the least, but it didn’t replace Paris’ Luxembourg park as the park I go home to at night.

Gaudi Architecture

Second only to the soccer team I would venture to say that Barcelona is most associated with the work of artist/architect Gaudi. We viewed the Casa…. from the sidewalk and entered the Casa Mila. Gaudi’s work was inspired by shapes and forms found in nature. Objects such as bones, pine cones, turtle shells, tree branches etc. were influential in his designs. I laughed a bit an American tourist’s observation that it was like “willy wonka and the chocolate factory.” The structures are fantastic and dont feel authentic. The fact that they have become tourist attractions, complete with entrance fee, further casts them in the light of spectacle rather than functional architecture. It was suggested this would be the best part of Barcelona. I was underwhelmed. Gaudi’s stuff was cool but didn’t take my breathe away (that would happen later in the trip).

Olympic Grounds 1992

Barcelona was host to the summer Olympics of 1992. It was only recently that the city was highlighted on the world stage. This was the site where the Dream Team US basketball team and Oscar De La Hoya won gold. The entire grounds reminds me of Stanford University’s campus. Tall trees separate large adobe sporting facilities. We walked in the stadium where the lighting and ceremonies took place. Unfortunately, we were unable to locate the exact site of where the boxing matches took place. The grounds are now open to the public for recreational purposes.

Museo de Cataluna

We are on a bit of an art tour. With all the famous paintings it is inescapable. Typically we try and visit the museums early on to “get them out of the way.” Close to the Olympic grounds, we viewed a few famous works by Ramon Casas (pictured here). I studied these, or simply memorized the author and title, for my Art Humanities class in undergrad. Professor Amy Powell would likely be proud.

Barcelona Arrival

Our arrival in Barcelona either denotes superior planning or superior luck. The championship soccer match between Barcelona and Manchester United began only minutes after our arrival. We were not two blocks from our hotel in a taxi when all of Barcelona streamed out of their homes/businesses to greet us. Rather, they were running outside to scream in celebration of the quick first half goal scored by their team. Max and I watched in the hotel and found ourselves in the middle of the victory festivities in Plaza Cataluna. Flares flared. Fireworks popped. Fans sang in unison. The entire plaza was invaded and colored red and blue.