Illumination at the Duomo
It was about 6:30 on a Sunday evening and I thought I was merely going to a champagne-tasting I had been told of. As it turned out, I came up out of the subway into a massive, standing-room-only...
“Obei Obei”
It's the holiday season, and it starts with a rush here in early December. Today, December 7, is the Feast Day of Milan's Patron Saint, Sant'Ambrogio; it's a citywide holiday. This day is followed...
What are the highlights?
One of my cousins just wrote to me and asked, "What are the highlights of your time in Milan… so far?" I've been mulling it over all day. Hard one to answer. I think the highlights have been mostly...
Silence at 4:00 a.m.
The other night, lying wide awake at 4:00 a.m., I realized I heard nothing except my own breathing. The relentlessness and menu of sounds around here, makes silence rare and startling. It's been...
It’s Beginning to Look…
...a lot like Christmas. Thanksgiving tomorrow and no sign of a turkey on my horizon, except for the snippet I had on Sunday. After searching the entire Saturday street market, I DID finally find...
Thanksgiving Milanese-Style
What a really nice group of people! I enjoyed a Thanksgiving Luncheon today with the "Americans in Milan" (AIM) group from the larger Benvenuto Club. About 70 people gathered at the Hotel Gallia for...
Lunch with “The Girls”
After 5 months here in Milano, I've finally had people over for a meal! I invited Evelina, Glenda and Lydia, from the office at NABA, to come join me for lunch. We all see each other whenever I'm on...
Pondering Lines
Today, I walked into a very dark room, let my eyes adjust, and then marveled at 22 pages from Leonardo da Vinci's "Codex Atlanticus". His original drawings. I saw his mind working. Observed his...
A Wee Bit o’ Irish Italy
One thing that I brought back with me from my time in Ireland this year was enjoyment of traditional Irish Soda Bread! Here in Italy I've been on a constant lookout for dense, moist, flavorful bread...
Have Tools, Will Travel
Always pack along tools when moving to another country! Point One: This is the land of calcium deposits from the water. After boiling water just once in my stainless steel pan, the bottom and sides...
Minstrel for Money
Again! I got on the subway. Seated myself. The doors closed, and "Twang!" As soon as the train pulled away from the station, the guy started playing a random riff on his guitar and projected it...
Wet Feet in Milano
I'm smiling, amused. I just walked home in the pouring rain. Gym bag and groceries hanging heavy from my shoulder. My black-and-white polka dot umbrella amidst the sea of umbrellas. This was no...