Backpacking Europe 2016 First Stop: Milano

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Feeling like a Queen at the Sforza Castle in Milano

I don’t know why people always hate on Milan so much. But I’ll be completely honest, because of this, I wasn’t expecting much either. I also didn’t expect to be so sad to leave it after a very enjoyable 25 hours.

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Train station in Milano, Centrale Stazione

Call it nostalgia, but this city reminded me of my first home, Saint Petersburg, Russia. Mainly for the architecture, since St.Pete was built with the idea that it would bring influence from Europe: to be an eye onto Venice, making the Russian nobility even more prestigious.

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This looks like half the sculptures in Russia, men on horses…

Milan. Known as the financial and fashion capital, and very metropolitan in comparison to counterparts in Italy, this city has some serious beauty. Even my new hostel friend admitted to crying tears the first time she saw the Duomo, the Milano cathedral.

Duomo!

Duomo!

From mosaic art at train stations to sculptures in toilets, there is something very exquisite about Italy: it makes you feel fancier, and Milano had this effect on me.

Mosaic art at the train station

Mosaic art at the train station

Lets start with the people. If you want a man in a suit, this is the place you can start looking. Sexy businessmen with pressed slacks, crisp shirts and long skinny ties wander the streets or peddle on their bicycles to their next meeting.

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The women, are a bit more urban casual, still wearing 5-inch heels and of course that carefree, happy attitude as they strut their stuff down cobblestones and alley ways. They have this ease and air about them that even gives the observer confidence in themselves. Its a powerful thing!

The first day of my journey was excellent. Great pizza, great company.

Amazing! One pizza and half liter of house red to myself, best first meal ever!

One pizza and half liter of house red to myself. Best first meal ever!

Made friends with Kristina from the hostel.

Kristina and I at Sforza

Kristina and I at Sforza

Kristina is from New Zealand, in Milano for 6 months doing a University program. We were able to explore downtown Milan a bit and enjoy the gardens behind the castle.

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As usual, my favorite part of this journey are the people that I meet and the adventures we create together. It’s the ebb and flow of travel. When you are solo, you do what you want, you explore on your own, you get lost, you sit in silence, you think, dream and feel especially inspired. When you are with a partner, companion, buddy: you laugh more, you get lost; maybe less, maybe more, but it’s definitey a different experience. What I love is the changing between these two worlds. From solo to buddy-system, the changing of lanes between the two is another character strength that is good to put into practice. I like a challenge.

Sforza Castle in Milano

Sforza Castle in Milano

Next stop, Venezia! Ciao!

In and out of Milano through this beautiful train station!

In and out of Milano through this beautiful train station!