Reminiscing and Making New Memories

 After five years, we recently returned to Europe to see family in Italy, and to spend a little time in Milan, Tuscany, Florence, Villa San Nicola, and Rome, and also to visit Spain. Time goes by so very quickly, and one never knows what changes there will be with age.

We laned in Milan after our long flight, and after picking up luggage and our car rental, we found our Airbnb. Anyone who has traveled in Italy knows that the streets are usually narrow and very crowded, and parking is extremely difficult to find. Cars are packed tightly into any space the drivers can find, and once parked, you will lose the spot immediately if you leave it.

Our Airbnb was nice, but also very small. It had the necessities we would need for our 2-night stay, however, it consisted of one medium sized room, a bathroom, but no kitchen area or refrigerator. After settling in we ventured out to have dinner (fortunately there was a restaurant just down the street) and went back for a much-needed night of sleep.

We had one full day in Milan and went into the city to tour the Duomo di Milano. It is the largest church in Italy and a symbol of the city. The Church tells the story of faith and art that spans over six centuries. Construction of the Duomo began around 1386 when the style of Gothic cathedrals reached its peak and was built in the area of the ancient basilicas of Santa Maria Maggiore and Santa Tecla, and their remains, together with those of the Baptistery of San Giovanni alle Fonti, are still visible in the Archeological Area. Although there are many beautiful things to see in the Duomo, one of the more interesting statues is the sculpture of the flayed St. Bartholomew. ('Saint Bartholomew Flayed' – Milan, Italy - Atlas Obscura).

After our tour, we visited an indoor mall near the church. It is filled with beautiful marble mosaic tiles, restaurants, and very high-end stores, which you had to wait in line to enter as they only allowed a few people in at once. We had a leisurely, and delicious meal as we watched shoppers stroll by. 

On our way back to the Airbnb we found a store to purchase a few necessities, a cooler and ice. After searching, we found a place to park again that was not too far away. Time to repack and prepare to move on the next day. 






















Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Garden Delights - Traditional Greek Salad (Horiatiki/Xoriatiki)

Image
Greek salad is also known as “Horiatiki or Xoriatiki” or village salad, which means that it is a rustic dish, made simple with a few good quality ingredients. If you want to make Greek salad like the ones served in Greece, then you will want to try this authentic Greek salad recipe from www.mygreekdish.com . With our gardens filled with fresh vegetables it is the ideal time to enjoy a delicious salad! Traditional Greek Salad (Horiatiki/Xoriatiki) Author: Eli K. Giannopoulos 3 tomatoes, cut into wedges 1 medium red onion, sliced into rings 1 cucumber, sliced into thick half-moons 1 green pepper, sliced 16 black or green olives 7 ounces block feta cheese 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon dried oregano sea salt Cut the tomatoes into wedges, slice the onion into thin rings, cut the cucumber in thick slices, slice the green pepper, and place everything in a large bowl. Add the olives. Season with sea salt (be careful not to add too much as the feta and
Read more

We Do Have Some Control

Image
We have all watched the news media sensationalizing the cost of living today. It seems as if they are trying to create havoc and fear. Although the price of the things we purchase have risen, the truth is we do have some control over how it effects our budget. We need to remember that the pandemic played a large role in the exorbitant increases we have seen on everyday items. The shortages that were created during this time allowed companies to charge much higher prices for what little was produced compared to normal manufacturing quantities. Plus, those who were out purchasing more than they needed and hoarding it also contributed to higher prices. If we listen to all the gloom and doom on our evening news, we will believe there is nothing we can do to ease the strain on our daily cost of living. The truth is, we do have some control on how we spend our money and how to save on everyday items. First of all, I am no different than millions of other people. There have been many times in
Read more

Another Decade

Image
Soon I will face another year 'round the sun, where did all that time go? Seems like yesterday I celebrated this, perhaps it was only a dream. Each year time seems to pass more quickly, is this true or just an illusion? Spring turns to summer, then fall is here, with winter rushing quickly in.   I look in the mirror and see changes, and know that decades have passed. But the image that greets me most often, is that young girl from so long ago. My mind sees things as it did years ago, but at times the body tells a different tale. They say that you are as young as you feel, which story will each new day bring? This year seven decades have come and gone,  this reality boggles the mind. I know that just yesterday the big 30 arrived, how could 40 more have slipped by? Take each decade in stride, cherish the time, for each one passes by more quickly. It will do no good to lament and worry, for that will only steal all of your joy. There will be time enough in years to come, to look back
Read more