I stepped out of the hotel and just on the opposite side is a children’s playground. I sat in one of the benches and looked around the park. I was alone except for some passersby every now and then. Some are jogging, some walking their dogs some were old folks doing their routinary morning walk. As it was probably a schoolday, there were no children playing on the monkey bars and the cover on the kiddie train announes that it’s not in operation at the moment. I briskly rubbed my hands to generate some heat against the chilly autumn air. So I am now in Milan , where do I go now? Obviously, I haven’t done any research on what to see in Italy , particularly in Milan . I was basically looking forward to my trip in Rome probably after the choir group arrives here. We all know Rome is a big place and there are lots to see, but Milan I have no idea other than it being the fashion capital of the world. Being here right now I would definitely agree to that while holding a neon sign flashing the word “YES”. It was only now that I started noticing the people of Milan . For one thing, it seems like it would be a national crime if women go any bigger than size 4. Almost everyone including the men are either skinny, lean or gym fit. And you should see how they dress! People (particularly the locals) of all ages dress like the whole of Milan is a big runway and for awhile back there it felt like I was in a set of The Devil Wears Prada only on a larger scale. Personality-wise, they are like the “prim and proper” type, soft spoken and basically nice Going back to my own predicament, where do I go now? I actually said that aloud preceeded by a deep sigh. Good thing no one was around or they would have witnessed that rather pathetic moment. From afar I can see two pinays approaching, finally a ray of hope on that literally cloudy morning. When they got close enough, “Kabayan!” (translated as, “fellow countryman”) I jubilantly called out. After a few introduction, I asked for directions on how to get to where the tourist spots are. They told me to take the tram along the main road and it will take me to Duomo. I didn’t bother to ask what Duomo is and what to see for I felt I’ve taken up much of their time already (but not really). So instead of taking the tram, I decided to just walk (again) so I can see the place around. I will just have to follow the tracks till it leads me to this place that I’ve been told. After about 20 minutes worth of walk, I passed by what I call back then “the central park”.
"After about 20 minutes worth of walk, I passed by what I call back then “the central park”. Later on I will see on the map that it is called Parko Sempione”.
Later on I will see on the map that it is called “Parko Sempione”. There were quite a lot of people back there but it didn’t actually seem crowded because the park is so big. There is an area with fence and a sign that of a dog and the word “CANI”. So this is where you get to unleash your dog and let them run around freely. There were people jogging, biking and some were having the proverbial “walk in the park” – in its literal sense. I sat on the bench and took some pictures of the neat landscape of the park. Moments later two young Asian couple (probably Koreans or something) sat on the bench next to where I was sitting. At first they were having some sweet cuddly moments and eventually, they were already smooching and that was my cue- I got up and went to the lone kiosk in the park manned by an old Italian man. I (confidently) asked for a frizzante and headed on my way. I was still following where the train leads so I was so sure I would never get lost. Trams (or ATM as they call it) kept passing by every now and then and with that, I couldn’t care any less for I am in the right way (I thought). One thing that caught my attention though was the route flashed on the LED-signage of each tram. Earlier it was Lorrentegio-bound but on the same track, another tram is bound to Cadorna! How can they be in the same track?
"Trams (or ATM as they call it) kept passing by every now and then..."
Towards the end of the park, I saw the tracks broke down into four more! Which one do I follow now? Oh well, as I am writing this down, I don’t actually remember which one I took. But whichever from among those tracks I chose, it was the one that led me to Piccolo Theater. I took a picture of the abstract round wood carving in front of it and went on my way. Not far from where I was walking, I saw something like a huge tower but huge trees were partly covering my view. It must be the duomo, I thought so I went towards that direction until I reached the façade of what actually was the Castello. It was in fact an old castle in the (what I now know as) Cairoli area. In front of it was a grand fountain which I have seen in the Tagalog movie Milan. So it was not the Duomo I was looking for, hence it was still a beautiful sight for tourists. I took some photos of the Castello and after getting the angles I wanted, I went on my way.
I was now in an enclosed street where no vehicles pass. Among the side-by-side restos with dining areas extended outside, there were designer shops, sidestreet attractions like there was an artist who does portraits on-the spot as you pose, on one corner a Chinese guy makes flowers and lovely garnishings out of vegetables. One thing that caught most of the tourists’ attention is a group of red indians playing their native songs using exotic instruments like bamboo piepes and cow-skin drums. They merged their music with modern electronic gadgets and the combination was rather interesting. They were not asking for alms from the watchers, instead they were selling their CDs. I took a small video clip of them as one of the members were doing something like a sundance thing around the skull of a bull with a talisman thingie mark. That was rather creepy that I decided not to buy their CDs (although the music was really a feast for the senses). I walked further and further until the street led me to the intersecting main road. And just on the opposite side was the most beautiful structure I have ever seen! A larger than life, Roman Catholic Church! Even from afar I could could see how huge it was and I mean really huge and majestic! I couldn’t think of the right
"...And just on the opposite side was the most beautiful structure I have ever seen!"
words but one thing I remember when I got close, I was like “wooow!” in an audible manner. I froze right there in front of the Duomo in awe of its grandiose beauty. This has got to be the biggest of its kind that I’ve ever seen. Even as I am writing this at the moment, I am still lost for words in describing the masterpiece I have seen first hand. Considering that I am looking at a structure built centuries and centuries ago when there were no cranes, payloaders or whatever tractors we have right now, is just way too much to figure out. The marble exterior is intricately adorned with apparently different characters of the Bible, and countless 
Catholic saints. I couldn’t count for they were too many and couldn’t figure who they were. There were effigies
"The marble exterior is intricately adorned with apparently different characters of the Bible, and countless Catholic saints..."
on the (at least) six pinnacles I could count. One thing that stood out among them is the gold suclpture of the Madonini. Later on, I learned from Wikipedia that it was bronze after all. Just the same, it was really striking. The place where I was is called Piazza del Duomo (Piazza= Sqaure; Duomo= Basilica). There were pigeons all over the place and they seem to be in co-existence with the tourists in the sqaure. They would land on you if you have some grains to feed them with. That’s how two resident Egyptians got me. At first I thought they were just nice to give me some grains of corn so the pigeons would land on me. Then they took pictures of me (no one would for I was alone remember?) as the pigeons went on a feeding frenzy all over me. After the blissful moment with the pigeons they charged me 50 Euros for the few grains and the photoshoot. I know for a fact that they will charge me eventually but not this much! Their reasons for such price were lame so I argued with them in Arabic in the hopes that they would give a fair bargain. Futile effort, because I ended up paying them 20 euros each. Much to my disgust, I just consoled myself with the fact that they took nice shots of me and my costly pigeon friends. They gave me some more “golden” grains took a few more shots of me without charging me any further like it would help alleviate my feeling of being cheated. Afterwhich, I left them without a word and went around square.
There were more
boutiques like Escada, Hugo Boss around the Duomo. Small souvenir stalls, restos gives the Piazza a commercial feel and adds up to the convenience of the tourists. I bought some souvenirs (mostly keyrings, scarves and some tees) to give to the folks back home and treated myself to a hearty Italian lunch consisting of pasta and soup. After eating to my heart’s content, I felt ready for hours and hours of walking around. In fact I felt I’ve had enough sustenance to walk my way back to the hotel. I saw that there was a cue of tourists by the entrance to the Duomo and I thought it would be great if I can get inside as well. Soon I was in line waiting for my turn to get inside. There were Italian guards manning the entrance and one of them asked me to remove my cap before entering. Apparently, no cameras are allowed inside but they don’t seem to mind the tourists taking pictures and videos. Being inside was another “wow!” episode that I cannot let this pass without taking as much pictures as I can. It was rather dim inside yet, I still turned off the camera’s flash to get the actual ambiance in the photos. Seeing Duomo from the outside was enough already but being inside it is a total moment of incredulity. More statues, gigantic pillars, paintings (apparently by Michaelangelo), murals adds to the majesty of the basilica. The interior is subtly lighted by various panels of stained-glass art works- the main is found in the altar serving as a perfect backdrop. The main altar sprawls the entire width of the Duomo, you could just imagine (or not) how wide it is. The gazebo-like “pulpit” where the priest delivers his sermon is elevated in the mid section. Hundreds of pews are available for devotees during service (at that time there was none). After seing much of the Duomo from the inside, I decided to get out and check the unexplored places of the square. To the right of the Duomo is another old structure but with commercial establishments. It was already late in the afternoon then and the familiar strain on my heels and legs started to signal the fact that I have seen much so I should be heading home. I wanted to stay awhile and have the feel of the Duomo Square more so I joined the other tourists and sat by the enourmous statue of a man on a horse (whoever its supposed to be) with different beasts just below the pedestal where it stands. The entire thing is about 20 to 30 feet high. Pictures here and there as I was sitting. One time I was taking photos of some odd tourists and another, I’m taking shots of the “bazzillion” (as how a friend calls it) pigeons everywhere. The bells from the Duomo chimed, signaling it’s time for the Angelus. Having studied in an exclusive Roman Catholic school up until high school, I understood that it was the prayer to Mary depicting the time when angel Gabriel came to Mary and announced that she will be the earthly mother of the Lord Jesus Christ. As far as I can remember, these are done at 12:00 noon and obviously 6:00pm (at that time). It was getting dark anyway and I was so tired already then so I thought it was time to get back to the hotel and rest my tired body, particularly my lower limbs.
