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Milano, Amore Mio

Family, friends, we are gathered here today to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, and to give recognition to the worth and beauty of true love.

I spent two days in Milan last weekend and I don't believe I've ever been so swept away by a country. After weeks of having everyone I meet remark on how I didn't look like I belonged in Barcelona, I was amazed how well I fit in while in Italy. Activists collecting signatures, strangers in the streets, and service people all assumed I was Italian. I would have to stop people- "Non parlo italiano."- and they always seemed surprised.

One of my favorite things about Milan was the abundance of museums. Being under age 26, I was able to get into the Museo del Novecento for free my first afternoon! Most of the other museums also offered a few hours each day during which admission was free, but I paid so that I could enter on my own schedule. I also visited the Sforza Castle museum. I went because I'd read that there was a photography gallery. What I learned from this was that "Pinacoteca" was poorly translated and actually meant "Picture Gallery Full of Portraits of Obscure Dead People". I also visited the Museo Teatrale alla Scala (The Scala Theatrical Museum) and the Museo del Duomo de Milano (Milan Cathedral Museum).

The Museo del Novecento was my favorite museum and I spent several hours there. I also enjoyed the Museo Teatrale alla Scala. Not only did I see old opera costumes and a piano from 1883 that was still in mint condition, but I happened to go during an opera rehearsal and was allowed to watch it for several minutes. The opera house was golden and shimmered even in the dimmed light. The best picture I took was in the Museo del Novecento. I was coming up an escalator and I saw a woman stroking the back of her significant other's head. It was such a sweet gesture, so I quickly tried to snap a picture. Just as I did, they turned and kissed each other. I couldn't believe how cute of a picture I ended up with.

Another beautiful thing about Milan is the architecture. Everywhere I went, I was in awe of the details, textures, and lines of each facade. I've grown accustomed to the architecture that surrounds my everyday life, so being exposed to new buildings was a nice way to reopen my eyes. Everything seemed elegant and dignified. I loved every street.

But if you know me, you know I have a soft spot for food. The first thing I ate in Milan was panzerotti from Luini's. I found Luini's on someone else's travel blog and I am so glad I did. I hadn't eaten for eight hours when I found Luini's just of the Piazza del Duomo, so the combination of tomatoes, mozzarella, oregano, and sweet prosciutto in a deep fried pocket was delicious. I was eating it outdoors, which is my favorite place to eat anything. The only issue with this is in Italy, so many people are smoking that the taste of your food ends up tinged by tabaco. While I was out with my parents' friends later, they mentioned that I absolutely had to try this panzerotti place, the best panzerotti in all of Milan! I was excited to compare the meals when it was revealed to me that they were talking about Luini's as well! I was so impressed that I'd managed to find it online.

My first night in Milan, I was treated to a lovely meal by friends of my parents. We ate at Volemose Bene Milano, a restaurant of traditional Roman foods, because "it wasn't the right weather for Milanese food". I followed the lead of my host, ordering Bucatini All'Amatriciana as my entrée. There was more than enough of the thick, flavorful sauce sprinkled with fresh parmesan to cover the thick noodles and then be scooped up with a piece of bread as you fare la scarpetta. I swear I could eat it every day.

That, and gelato from Shokolat. I'm so glad that I had locals to direct to me to the best gelato in town. The chocolate gelato was dark and bittersweet, perfectly complimenting the scoop of gelato made of real, fresh strawberries. It was great to try real gelato and pizza.

For pizza, I went to La Tradizionale and ordered the Trinacria. They brought out crunchy, puffy fried potato balls as an appetizer. I loved the texture and they were pretty yummy, but I was a little frustrated to later find I'd been charge 3€ for something I hadn't ordered. When I ordered a pizza, they brought me a serrated knife that seemed designed for meat. I was baffled. The pizza that came out was definitely not personal sized. It was intended for three or four people. And I finished it all. It was delicious, though rather salty, being covered in capers and olives. I did wish I had ordered more than one bottle of water. Not knowing what to expect out of Italian pizza, I was surprised by the thin, limp crust that didn't seem thoroughly cooked. This explained why I needed a heavy duty knife, and even that wasn't as effective as I'd hoped.

I had a wonderful time in Milan. I could even see myself living there some day. From Milan, it took me just a couple hours to get to Venice for a day trip. That's a story for another day.

Until next time!

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