Hi y'all!
I know that it has been ages! More than a year in fact, I was so inspired to write about a great experience that I had in the city of Milan yesterday that I just started typing.
Some of you might know that I have had my share of unpleasant experiences in Milan. This has led to breed a persona with a thick hide mixed with caution, especially when visiting Milan. As someone wise once told me, when you have no expectations, everything that happens can be either pleasantly surprising, or just surprising. I might have taken this too seriously and expected the worst in people (please forgive me, lady on the metro!). That's for a little later in the post (or not). Ha. ha.
I have been living in Italy for a grand total of x amount of months (haha gotcha!). Actually you probably already know, so much for my attempt to 'withhold' information. Now, back to my train of thought, or rather, yours (I hope); I have been to a few cities in the north as well as Rome, which I shall tell you about in another post. All in all, I think I have an understanding of the 'general' culture of Italians. I could be wrong of course, but I'm never wrong (with a heavy undercurrent of sarcasm).
You will be surprised to know that I can last longer in Italian conversations with people I meet here. But, I did start guffawing when someone complimented my 'good Italian'. Five minutes is never enough to judge I think. If you are curious about how I improved my Italian, do ask.
So, yesterday I went to Milan. And that is all. Ok, I'm joking. But, I do wish there was a way to punk someone online. Oh wait! that's why we have clickbait....
I had some 'official' business to attend to. More like State business. Never mind, I reached Milan and as usual, I got lost on the way to my destination. I wonder how many times that has happened, don't keep count, you'll run out of fingers, toes and probably the hairs on my head (since some of you may by bald... just keeping an open mind!). I have an exceptional talent in derailing trains (of thought). This 'detour' led me to the great "Quadrilateral of Fashion", wherein the grand "Milan Fashion Week 2018" is happening! Have you been to a fashion show? Or anyone you know? I have had the privilege of attending an extremely scaled down event ages ago back home in Delhi. It is realms apart, being in that environment. And so very colourful, in all meanings of the word.
I could feign disinterest in this subject because in the moment I was merely attracted to the music that I could hear (since it helped to hasten my pace and I was late). Sue me for the desire to stay away from crowds (and I come from a crowded country...judge me if you want...). Nonetheless, the occasional passing of a model or two brought a sense of glamour to my catwalk across town (I cannot cat-walk at all, have you seen a cat walk? <evilly chuckles>).
The main point of my story shall now surface, maybe. After I finished my business (transaction? I make it sound so dramatic, if only you knew what I was actually doing). I chanced upon the lovely Duomo (I looked it up, Italian cathedrals possess this hallowed name) and the Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery (I had no idea it was called this until.....Google).
Anyway, maybe I just wanted to show off my pictures. Why are you reading this again?
Since I wanted a warm place to kill some more time I headed towards a place I saw on the map. After a few rounds in the cold and 'scouting' some possibilities, I entered Mister Bar. I expected nothing, just Italian coffee (Italy and takeaway coffee); I saw this, many times (in the course of a few hours), the minimum time recorded being about two pages of my book, which roughly translates to two minutes. But I have seen faster 'touch and go's' when there are just four words exchanged between the barista and the customer.
4. Arrivederci (Good bye)
Back to the coffee, which I consume with a copious amount of milk (blasphemy for Italians I dare say); It was excellent! But I'm just getting started, the kindness of the three baristas in that bar (synonymous with a cafe as well as a 'light' alcohol serving establishment) exceeded my expectation of any stranger I have met thus far. People like that provide hope to the rest of us. The hours I spent in their establishment were the best hours I could have spent indeed (heavenly Sacher Torte). I wouldn't say that they were kind to me just because I'm a customer, but I could be wrong. I would like to believe that if I go there again, they will smile a little more (hopefully). I think that this is best part about strangers, you might not know their name or have any way to meet them in the future but, sometimes, they leave a deep imprint on you that brings a smile to your face. I hope that I'm a stranger like that to someone out there. Don't you?
!!!DISCLAIMER!!!: I am not advising anyone not to exercise caution when talking with strangers, be it within an establishment or elsewhere. Just, use your head? (I can hear you laughing, my dear sister...) Also, my links are for amusement, do not assume that I will explain my actions every time. I might, if I feel inclined to do so. Perhaps.
I know that it has been ages! More than a year in fact, I was so inspired to write about a great experience that I had in the city of Milan yesterday that I just started typing.
Some of you might know that I have had my share of unpleasant experiences in Milan. This has led to breed a persona with a thick hide mixed with caution, especially when visiting Milan. As someone wise once told me, when you have no expectations, everything that happens can be either pleasantly surprising, or just surprising. I might have taken this too seriously and expected the worst in people (please forgive me, lady on the metro!). That's for a little later in the post (or not). Ha. ha.
I have been living in Italy for a grand total of x amount of months (haha gotcha!). Actually you probably already know, so much for my attempt to 'withhold' information. Now, back to my train of thought, or rather, yours (I hope); I have been to a few cities in the north as well as Rome, which I shall tell you about in another post. All in all, I think I have an understanding of the 'general' culture of Italians. I could be wrong of course, but I'm never wrong (with a heavy undercurrent of sarcasm).
You will be surprised to know that I can last longer in Italian conversations with people I meet here. But, I did start guffawing when someone complimented my 'good Italian'. Five minutes is never enough to judge I think. If you are curious about how I improved my Italian, do ask.
So, yesterday I went to Milan. And that is all. Ok, I'm joking. But, I do wish there was a way to punk someone online. Oh wait! that's why we have clickbait....
I had some 'official' business to attend to. More like State business. Never mind, I reached Milan and as usual, I got lost on the way to my destination. I wonder how many times that has happened, don't keep count, you'll run out of fingers, toes and probably the hairs on my head (since some of you may by bald... just keeping an open mind!). I have an exceptional talent in derailing trains (of thought). This 'detour' led me to the great "Quadrilateral of Fashion", wherein the grand "Milan Fashion Week 2018" is happening! Have you been to a fashion show? Or anyone you know? I have had the privilege of attending an extremely scaled down event ages ago back home in Delhi. It is realms apart, being in that environment. And so very colourful, in all meanings of the word.
I could feign disinterest in this subject because in the moment I was merely attracted to the music that I could hear (since it helped to hasten my pace and I was late). Sue me for the desire to stay away from crowds (and I come from a crowded country...judge me if you want...). Nonetheless, the occasional passing of a model or two brought a sense of glamour to my catwalk across town (I cannot cat-walk at all, have you seen a cat walk? <evilly chuckles>).
 |
| My detour served as a quarter of an advertisement for the Milan Fashion Week (maybe?) |
The main point of my story shall now surface, maybe. After I finished my business (transaction? I make it sound so dramatic, if only you knew what I was actually doing). I chanced upon the lovely Duomo (I looked it up, Italian cathedrals possess this hallowed name) and the Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery (I had no idea it was called this until.....Google).
 |
| Duomo of Milan (The cathedral of Milan) |
 |
| Victor Immanuel II Gallery |
I was wrong, my point shall resurface now. I wanted to kill some time since my transport back home was in a few hours so I crowd-watched (apparently, that's a word) for a while. It might have been the week long fashion show that brought a lot of people out to the city, considering the the single digit temperature range. There were at least 4 photo shoots within the Piazza Duomo (the courtyard encompassing the cathedral). I was singing "All the pretty ladies, all the pretty ladies..." (to the tune of Beyoncé )
This café really brings this phrase to life : "It's the people that make the place".
Since I wanted a warm place to kill some more time I headed towards a place I saw on the map. After a few rounds in the cold and 'scouting' some possibilities, I entered Mister Bar. I expected nothing, just Italian coffee (Italy and takeaway coffee); I saw this, many times (in the course of a few hours), the minimum time recorded being about two pages of my book, which roughly translates to two minutes. But I have seen faster 'touch and go's' when there are just four words exchanged between the barista and the customer.
1. Buongiorno (Good day)
2,3. Un espresso (An expresso)4. Arrivederci (Good bye)
Back to the coffee, which I consume with a copious amount of milk (blasphemy for Italians I dare say); It was excellent! But I'm just getting started, the kindness of the three baristas in that bar (synonymous with a cafe as well as a 'light' alcohol serving establishment) exceeded my expectation of any stranger I have met thus far. People like that provide hope to the rest of us. The hours I spent in their establishment were the best hours I could have spent indeed (heavenly Sacher Torte). I wouldn't say that they were kind to me just because I'm a customer, but I could be wrong. I would like to believe that if I go there again, they will smile a little more (hopefully). I think that this is best part about strangers, you might not know their name or have any way to meet them in the future but, sometimes, they leave a deep imprint on you that brings a smile to your face. I hope that I'm a stranger like that to someone out there. Don't you?
!!!DISCLAIMER!!!: I am not advising anyone not to exercise caution when talking with strangers, be it within an establishment or elsewhere. Just, use your head? (I can hear you laughing, my dear sister...) Also, my links are for amusement, do not assume that I will explain my actions every time. I might, if I feel inclined to do so. Perhaps.
