DAY TWO – Zurich to Milan by train.

Well…you can tell I’m new to blogging…I’m writing far too much so let’s see if today I can par it down.  Day started with an amazing breakfast spread again set out by Daniela.  Jenny came over to say goodbye before I left…I won’t be back to Hombrechtikon for another 2 weeks.  Then off to the train station we went…Daniela, Werner and me.

I have to say…there are four things I LOVE about Germany and Switzerland: family, food, scenery/architecture and TRAINS!  I LOVE EUROPES TRAIN SYSTEM!  So excitement was abound as I boarded my train heading for Milan.  The scenery was amazing…green everywhere and winding through mountains, crossing waterfalls and streams, coasting along lake shoresides and meandering through rolling hills of green.  It’s fun to watch, because in these parts, a family will plant a tree on the top of a small rolling hill in honor of their first born son.  There are a lot of single trees planted throughout the rolling hills.  And there is so much pride here…everyone flies the Swiss flag along with the flag of their community.  It’s amazing.  And the buildings…old, maintained and almost transports you back in time.

On our journey we stopped in several towns including Lugano and Como before reaching Milan…and then right on time I made it to Milan.  Now I’ve been to Italy before (Rome, Venice) and I have to admit…I’m not a big fan.  I found the people rude and the country dirty.  I promised myself to have more of an open mind this time and allow the best of Italy to come through.  Well…I guess not on this trip.

First things first…my hotel was across the street from the train station, so that was a big plus…especially since it was raining and alas…I have no rainy weather clothing!  I really couldn’t afford to stay at the same hotel as my group, so I booked a smaller hotel around the corner called…are you ready?  THE NEW YORK HOTEL.  Nice, small, quaint, conveniently located around the corner from my group…really all I need.

Now to exchange money…I GOT SMOKED!  Once again, I was spanked by the Italians…The exchange rate is down to 1.18…but of course I had to pay something in the neighborhood of 1.60!  TOTALLY SUCKS, but I really had no choice since the banks are all closed for the evening.

Then my power adapters didn’t seem to work in the hotel…so out I went in search of a power adapter for my laptop…I got some directions from the very helpful two man crew at my hotel and off I went.

Once again, my opinion of Italy as being dirty is strongly confirmed.  The Metro here is dirty, but worse than that, since it was raining, it was filled with the homeless who chose to use it as their main place for urination…and to top it off, they stand by the machines, trying to purchase your tickets for you and keeping your change…totally awkward.  I ended up finding a ticket booth manned by a real person and avoided the beggars.  And off I went to Buenos Aires Street…home of every show imaginable.  Basically take the largest mall in the world and just put it down along 10 major city blocks.  And of course I had to have my first taste of Milan Gelato!  Caffe flavor, in a cup, with a biscotti…took about 10 minutes to order because…oh yeah…they don’t speak English here.  So for all of you who told me, “Don’t worry…they all speak English there,” …thanks for nothing.  WRONG.  Although it was raining, it’s tropical rain seeing as they are in a Mediterranean climate area…so rain, but warm.  It really was nice and I chose not to buy an umbrella from the street sellers and just take my chances.  Nike, Swatch, Swarovski, Polo…you name it…this street has it.  I found my electronics store and after some delay finally found the right adapter…and now I was headed by to the hotel.

The odd thing about the stores here is…the front part you can see from the street window makes the store look so small, like they only sell one item…but once you enter the front door and head behind a maze of walls, it leads you into this enormous shopping area…as big as any shopping mall major chain store…all hidden and masked from the view from the street.  Kinda odd…but kinda cool.

It took me 4 metro stops to get here so I decided to walk back and just explore Milan.  Again…people were for the most part rude, the streets are dirty and smelly and I must admit, for the first time I really felt isolated and alone.  But you all know me…I just threw myself into it and ended up being lost in the beauty of the architecture and enjoying my favorite pastime…PEOPLE WATCHING.  And let me tell you…Italians are fun people to watch…lots of expression as they talk…very laid back about their work environment…very confident, strong personalities…and me….lost amongst of all that.  Along my way I went to a local grocery store and bought what I hope is shaving cream and disposable blades.  Had my first cappuccino in an Italian “bar”…and I have to say…although I’m enjoying my European coffee experience…I miss my Starbucks!  Here the cup sizes are SO SMALL…one cappuccino, I can down in three sips (or less).  I know when I get home…the first place I’m going is Starbucks!  I learned the geography and navigation around a pretty large chunk of Milan in preparation for my group’s arrival tomorrow.  At least I won’t look like an idiot and totally lost…I can get them to almost anything they ask for with very little outside assistance.

The rest of the evening was spent on line, deciding to do this blog, sending out eNewsletters, and chatting to y’all on facebook.  The only English TV is on the BBC News…so I watched news all night long…all while prepping my paperwork and expectations of receiving my group in Milan.  The group and trip are split into two sections…the PRE TRIP which is three nights in Milan and surrounding area…and for that I have only 14 group members.  The second half or MAIN TRIP has 24 group members and lasts for 10 days.  Time for lights out…just shy of midnight….goodnight Milan…

Ciao!