DAY 16 - Bello Milano, and finally a switch to one currency!

It was a tough day yesterday, but I couldn't rest on my laurels. I had a new city to travel around, and it's pretty big. To be fair, though, I couldn't think of all that much to do. There are a few museums, but I can't be bothered to pay the money (the cards for the other cities encouraged me to go to museums, but when I have to pay each time, I usually don't bother unless it's really worth it).

So I got up early. The street outside looked a little better in daylight than in darkness. I went to a self-service place and finally washed my clothes for the second time. The cleaner at the last hostel also threw away a sock, so I'm a pair down - and I don't have many pairs. Better buy some in the fashion capital.




I was awe-struck when I saw the cathedral in the city centre. I mean look at it: it's huge! You're not quite prepared for it when you step off the Metro.






You're also not prepared for the hordes of black guys with bracelets who try to con you, so taking photos was a discreet and hasty affair.






Santa Maria presso San Satiro. Just so you know. Can't go inside, or so I think, anyway.







Dunno. Nice, though.








Same place as before.











I was trying to find the Torre Velasca. This ain't it. I'll look again tomorrow.







Bit of wall. Hmm. San Giovanni in Conca, apparently, but there's not much left.







San Nazaro in Brolo, and I couldn't go in again.











But it looks nice, anyway.








As does the Ospedale Maggiore.








Not sure if I could go in there, but I didn't regardless.








Just a street corner.








I found a nice park. Don't know the name but it had a nice pool.








And a nice(ish) statue.








Not 100% sure which church this is, I came across it by accident.








Trying to get back on track.








Big tower! But what's it connected to? Hmm... San Gottardo, apparently.











I had a nice cafe latte at a little place next to the big cathedral, and decided to have a brief stroll through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Looks a bit nicer than Cooper's Square in Burton, but it's not very big, really.





Damn it, even the McDonald's looks nice in Milan! To be fair, this is the McCafe section, but in general it's much nicer than the average McDs.






Go through there, and you're in front of La Scala, famous theatre. Here's the square.







Here's a building.








And here's a rather close-up pic of the theatre.








I walked down the street to the side of the theatre.








And went to the Brera Art Gallery, but for 10 euros I wasn't going in. Yeah, I know...







Maybe tomorrow, though. If it's really good.











Instead, I went off next to the Arena Civica, a sports stadium that, as you can see, has a very old feel to it.







There was something going on there, and I went in through the entrance where cars and stuff had driven in.







So I didn't hang around in case I wasn't supposed to just walk in.








Connected to the arena is the charming Parco Sempione, nice place for a walk round.







There's even a free aquarium there!








Fishy fishy.








The park provides a backdrop to the magnificent Castello Sforzesco.







So I'd better go in then...








Woah.








Charming.








The museums, for some reason, were free. They're not normally. Nice one.










It's all pretty grand.








And everybody likes this pool.








Including me.








There's another courtyard round the front.








See.








No idea what this is for.








A must-see if you visit Milan.








With good reason.








This is the Santa Maria delle Grazie, a church, of course. It's more important, though, because of...







...the bit on the left. It's where Da Vinci's Last Supper mural is kept. It's tough to get in, and probably costs a lot, so even though some would say it's important, I just say 'meh'.






You know, let's not bother going in museums, just take pics outside. Yeah.







This city really is beautiful. Walk down any street in the centre and it's just amazing.







Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio.








And its courtyard.








I can't stress enough how beautiful this city is, it's a pleasure to walk around. Don't need museums, they're probably boring anyway.






So I went home relatively early and relaxed for a bit, updating the blog of course. I needed food late and took the advice of the guy on reception and went to a little place virtually next door, where Chinese guys make relatively cheap Italian food. The white balance is off a little on this pic, but trust me, the Carbonara was good. And the beer was very cheap.



So, bed time. I don't really know what else to do tomorrow, except go and visit the San Siro. Let's find out...