From Zurich my parents and I took another train to Milan. We stopped in some small city in south Switzerland where we had to change trains. While waiting on our platform we looked across and saw a UF gator t-shirt. No matter where you go seems you can't get away from them. We arrived in Milan and went for a whirl wind taxi drive where we all swore he drove way out of his way to get to our hotel. That night while my mom was pouring over a map in the lobby and waiting on the restaurant for dinner, I received a tap on my shoulder. Turning around and there is Brad Clawson!! A dear friend of mine since my first year of high school and also an FSU alumni. He was in town with his family after doing a mission trip in Russia. They invited me out to dinner with them to an area along a canal. It was definitely the place to go for young italians in Milan. They have a before dinner special which was 8 euro for all you can eat buffet and a drink. The food was very good. The next morning my family and I went to see the Last Supper painting by Leonardo da Vinci. It was completely breath taking. Such a global icon right in front of us. It covered the span of the wall and across from it was a cruxificition painting done by another italian artist. After visiting that we stopped into a small store that all the items were claimed to be made by the owner. It was beautiful work. We stopped at a recomended gelito shop which was yummy. We headed back to hotel picking up some food at a grocery store for a quick lunch. In the lobby again we ran into my friend Brad and his family. Soon we departed for my family had to get me over to meet my study group and them to make their flight back to London.
We took a taxi to my hotel in Milan to meet up with my group. In the lobby they weren't to be found so I went up to my room to check it out. It was fairly small with tiny twin beds, one small closet and a small bathroom. My helped me get settled before I walked her back down. Fairly soon most the group from the airport arrived and we started meeting our roommates. My roommate Bekah is great and we really enjoy each other's company.
The next day we got up early for a coach tour around Milan. These sites included the fort in town (which is what the video is of), the La Scala ( a world famous opera house), the Domo ( a huge gothic church) , a statue of Leonardo da Vinci, and the Milan shopping Galeria. This tour made us late for our appointment at a silk textile factory in Como, Italy. We were still able to make our other two appointments. We toured the weaving and design factory where they make silk ties and scarfs for the most high end designers of the world. It was fascinating walking through their computer design area (note: picture of computer is of the logo Armarni). We also walked through the area where they weave the ties on huge eletric machines. It was very noisey but very interesting and even was able to touch real silver and gold thread.
Next we headed into the down town of Como, many famous people have a residence here including Mr. Clooney. The downtown along the beautiful lake of como was so much nicer than all of milan put together! After our lunch break we head to the main office of the silk scarf and tie factory where they let us tour their colorist and design studious. Also through their packaging area where they send off their luxirous items. What was most shocking was that they let us play with Chanel, Armani, Club Monoco, etc scarves like they were scraps. They took us through their home fabrics area which would be a dream to design your house from. They were so open and excited to show our group their buisness. It was amazing to see the products that wouldn't even see the sales floor for a year or two. After this amazing tour we took our coach bus back to Milan to end the day. That night I took out my roommate and friends I have met to the same Canal area my friend had taken me the night before. Again it was good food and drink for 8 euro. Milan is not a pretty city though, for those believing this is the fashion capital, I would have to disagree. I would say it is a textile capital.
No comments:
Post a Comment