Milano a Lugano

Ciao Malpensa

This vacation had to be one of the most anticipated trips I have taken thus far. I had never set foot in Europe aside from airport layovers, you can imagine. I was thrilled to hear that I could visit Italy and make my way to Switzerland with a Schengen Visa. This one stamp granted me access to any European country, whether a member of the Union or not. I am a summer child who has associated the most colorful memories of my childhood with summertime in the northern hemisphere. July presented an unforgettable itinerary I eagerly awaited to exploit on one of the hottest summers Europe experienced until that point. It was deja vu mixed with rebirth when I looked out the passenger boarding bridge windows at the Malpensa Airport (MXP). That classic smell of heated asphalt and fresh air with an Italian flavor hit me before entering the airport for a brief moment. There was almost no memory of what had happened before I boarded the plane and now. It was as if I teleported here. My uncle, who lives in neighboring Switzerland, had an exciting stay planned out for me. He was to receive us from the airport here in Milan and drive us to his home. Although most of my time was going to be in the land of chocolate, watches, and banks, I had my sights on this elegant cosmopolitan city of the Sforzas.

Piazza Del Duomo cathedral, Milan (2016)

Copyright © Kidus Assefa 2023

Milano is the capital of Lombardia and the second most populated Italian metropolis. The city is characteristic of the elitist northern half of the peninsula. Milano is the industrial and financial center, where some of the most prominent home-grown enterprises attribute their roots. It is a powerhouse and the most affluent city in the country. Folks here walk with pride and make a point to display their sophistication and refined taste. One of the appeals here is Italian food and haute couture, casual wear, streetwear, and the sight of so many fashionistas parading the cobble alleys and ceramic-tiled malls. The collective attitude towards dressing up can be infectious though vain. Graffiti writings and murals are abundant, especially around the railways and bridges.

It was good to meet my uncle and his family, who welcomed us with open arms. They picked us up, and we drove to our hotel to drop off our luggage. I vividly remember the lively banter on the airwaves. Radio talk show conversations are very animated in Italian. The melodic language is very hypnotic and immersive. Who knew time could stand still in an urban area with a calming sight of trees on the sidewalks with few passersby relaxing in the summer warmth? We checked into the UNAHOTELS Scandinavia, where we were greeted by the laid-back atmosphere of the lobby area and shown to our rooms. After a quick rest, it was time for the first meal before tying our tourist boots. We went to the nearby Bar Atlantic Losanna across the street and treated ourselves to dishes that would redefine our standard for Italian food. Tagliatelle and Lasagna are classic must-tries, and our first swing hit a home run. Buonissimo! So delicious and well-made. We rested in the hotel and headed for the city’s biggest attraction – how original, a cathedral!

After feeling well-rested, we marched with our heads high towards the Piazza del Duomo to see what the fuss was. We were already in awe as we trailed the side façade of the massive structure. And so we faced it with our heads high and far from our jaws. What magnificence. I couldn’t believe the amount of detail and precision at such a grand scale. No wonder locals are proud of this behemoth; it is a stunning feat of gothic and renaissance architecture. There is a notable human resembling figure at the very top of the front façade of the basilica – the Madonnina Statue. Once made of pure gold but now plated, following multiple attempted thefts, they say she shines like a star in the night. We strolled around the piazza filled with hoards of gullible tourists and those leeching off them. Tour guides? No, Pigeons, of all beings on this planet. I had a benign phobia of pigeons and any unpredictable bird with undeveloped motor function. This was a nightmare as my company went straight into the mess to get the "full experience" of feeding birds in front of a world-famous cathedral. I just couldn’t see the connection, but I faced my fear for the first time. Pigeons flapping their wings and gliding by me, left and right, above and below. We went into the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II – a shopping mall. This is where one can see the modern Milano clear as day. The ground floor consisted of Italy’s true crown jewels – Prada, Versace, Gucci, Dior, Louis Vuitton, and so on, asserting their monopoly over the central space. We dodged that and went into a cozy gelateria to have some ice cream and coffee – Italian style. That was most of the day in a nutshell. The following day would change my life for good.

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