Back in the US; Missing the Cappuccino already....

It was a long journey back; over 10 hours on the 1st flight, then 3 on a smaller plane, then 3 more on an RJ: I hate RJs.... Anyway, almost recovered from the jet-lag, ready to get back to business :) Missing the cappuccino already.... here are some of my fav. views from the trip....
Early morning, a view from the park near the apartment....

Lunch & cappuccino with Alysa at a cute little place we discovered while wandering around...

Sunset on an evening stroll; this was one of my fav. parts of town....

The chandeliers at the antiques market

The view from right outside our little apartment :)

Cadorna Station; passed through here so many times....

Another sunset on an evening stroll; one of the cute little alleys that is lined with unique shops, restaurants, & cafes.

And of course; the beautiful cathedral; this pic was taken when I was on the roof enjoying the spectacular views of the city.

The cathedral from below....

And the glass covered galleria; right off of Duomo square; so pretty!

It was a great trip; a few issues in the beginning (there always is), but all in all, I really enjoyed my time in Milano. I would go back tomorrow, if I could....my favorite part was living there like a local & enjoying the little cafes, seeing people walking their dogs in sweaters at the park, the open air market, & the people :) I was afraid that they would not be friendly because I don't know Italian, but it was the opposite, everyone was so welcoming & friendly: even if they didn't speak English. I found the locals to be warm & charming & happy to have crazy Americans in their shops & cafes trying to order in Italian :)

The city itself is beautiful & charming as well; the roads are crazy & hard to figure out, but it adds to the appeal, I think :) I would however, be scared to drive there.....they drive really fast down narrow, crowded streets that have so many crazy intersections: I would get lost so fast!! But, the public transportation is great, once you figure it out, & you can go practically anywhere in the city.

Looking forward to going back; I am hoping Alysa does well, & we have another chance to stay for awhile & see more of the city--maybe this summer when it warmer :)

Ciao for now; wishing for real cappuccino......

Amber

Red Chandeliers & Last Cappuccinos....

My last day....so sad.... On the way to the metro stop, Alysa & I had noticed these beautiful red chandeliers through the window, so today we decided to stop in for a cappuccino and look :) A very nice place; the front was a bar with casual seating for coffee drinkers, and in the back was a more formal dining room for dinner. I would have liked to try the dinner here, but judging by the price of the cappuccinos alone, I would say dinner is very pricey! The cappuccino was good, & I still cant get over the red glass chandeliers; very cool ....

a quick snap over coffee.....Alysa trying to figure out the camera :)

And, here we are in another section of town; near the Girabaldi metro stop. We were looking for the little restaurant that serves free lunch to models...after walking around for awhile, we did finally find it & enjoyed a free salad. Apparently, there a quite a few places that do this; obviously it must be good for business to have models dining at your restaurant :) Alysa & Denise; another model from Holland :)

I'm flying out at 10 am; which means I have to be to the airport by 7, which means I have to leave the apartment for the metro at 5:30: 2 stops up to Cadorna station to catch the Malpensa Express....it's going to be a long trip back. Wish I could stay longer, I have enjoyed every minute here....looking forward to coming back. Hopefully husband will be able to join me & I can show him around like a local :)

Ciao, for now; back to reality tomorrow....

Amber

Another Evening Stroll....

Tonight, I walked back to the canal where the antiques market was set up on Sunday; I wanted to check out some of the cute shops I had seen .... It was about 4:30 in the afternoon; most of the little shops were open, & the restaraunts were just starting to set up for dinner. Lots of cute places...some fancy, some just pizza shops...and lots of little artist/design studios & antique shops.

Had to get a pic of this one; for those of us from Challis....

Its funny the mix of things here; little shops & eateries & then a huge old church...then more little shops.

This is one of the few benches I have seen on my entire visit; appently Italians do not sit on benches & linger; nor do they like loungy comfy furniture or people who walk or drive too slow...

Cute little antique/curiosity shop....the window shopping around here is great :)

And, the entrance to a courtyard; almost all the buildings you see have an inner courtyard area like this; so charming; I want a courtyard....with a cool gate & giant door....

and another....

Here is the view looking back from where I just walked from; all the way down at the end of the water; the very last bridge...

I couldnt resist wandering into this courtyard; its an artist colony of sorts; out along the water, there are a couple little storefronts, with a sign inviting you to come into the courtyard; you are greeted by all these tiny artist studios around the perimeter of the space---I think there are living quarters above. I soooo want to stay here next time I come over....

Another cute little eatery, just getting ready to open up :)

And another cute little shop; see the artist in there painting away???

I wandered around, enjoying the sites for a couple hours. There is sooo much to explore; things are so concentrated. And, every little alley is lined with all kinds of shops & fun restaraunts; I could wander around for days just in the area & not run out of new things to discover! This is all a short walk from the apartment...and I only got lost once on the way back :)

The view on the way back to the apartment.... I will miss it.

Alysa moved into model housing today; she will be staying with the other girls for the remainder of her stay here. I am looking at coming home the day after tomorrow. Sad that I have to cut the adventure short, but anxious to get back to work on my projects at home too.

Thats it for now, time to fix a bite of dinner--pasta, of course :)

Ciao!

I think I had 4 Cappicinos today....

Today was another lovely day; warmest yet! It felt like it was at least 30 (in the afternoon, in the sun :) Stopped in for a cappicino at our fav little local spot with Alysa, the walked down the street to check on the computer; store was not open yet, so I had another cappicino.... This is the view of a small dog park that sits in the middle of the street; just outside the rental agency office. I was waiting for Alessandro & his little dog Biscotti to show up, but they didnt open till late either....

My new shoes that I got at Coin; so cute. notice I am wearing tights, socks, & a long coat; I still cant get over how chilly it is over here! Going to be looking for some leg-warmers at the market tomorrow :)

The view as I was walking back up the street, after giving up on the rental agency....

After Alysa went to her only casting in the morning, we wandered about & did the tourist thing; it was fun; & all within walking distance of our place.

Another cute little street; love the colors of the buildings here :)

Here we are at a cute little cafe for a bit of lunch & another cappicino :) Lunch was grilled veggies with melted bree---yum!

A cool building on the corner; would love to have an apartment here :)

This is near Saint Ambrosio metro stop; very cool looking :)

Yet more cool stuff around Saint Ambrosio; I think this is still a church today, or a seminary school; we coulnt quite figure it out....

And, Alysa the tourist :) We had a nice time exploring, & of course had to stop for one more cappicino on the way home!

Looks like my time here is coming to an end. I picked up the computer from the repair shop today; no luck. Worked on it this afternoon for hours; still no luck.... Alysa is moving into model housing tomorrow & will be taking the little Netbook with her, so I will be computer-less besides the ones at the agency during the day. Funds are running low, & not being able to work means I need to get back home: I've got a contract with the city of Boise right now that I need to be working on & also a few other big bids coming up....was hoping to be able to work on all this while staying here, but its just not working out that way.

I feel like my days are numbered; trying to soak it all in before I go. I wish I could stay longer...although I miss husband & the cats at home :) Will go to the market tomorrow & try to take in a few more of the sights, then its back on the airplane---I wonder if I will have room for shoes...my souveniers :)

Amber