Arriviamo a Milano! It’s a wet, chilly day in Northern Italy. We’re taking a day-trip from Bellagio to Milano, and we’ve just arrived at Il Stazione di Milano Centrale. Next step: take the Metro to Piazza del Duomo. Here we go…
Entering the Metro
We need to purchase tickets for the Metro at machines that look like ATM’s. We found one and got in line. I tried to see what people were doing at the machine to get tickets. A lot of them seemed to be trying to figure it out, like we’d soon be doing.
The Metro ticket machine turned out to be no problem. Press a button for your language, and it guides you through step by step. In a couple of minutes, we had our tickets. We’d use them to get through turnstiles leading to the trains. The turnstiles are one-way only – once you’re in, you’re in.
At the turnstiles, there’s a little slot where you insert your ticket. As soon as you start to put your ticket into the slot, shoop! It’s gone. The ticket is sucked out of your hand – FAST! If you’re not used to it, it’s a shock. I’m sure a lot of people say, “Whoa! What just happened?”
The ticket pops up from a slot on the other side of the turnstile. Now you can enter. You have to grab your ticket and keep it as proof that you paid to get in.
No Esitazione!
We followed the signs to find the Yellow Line train going towards S. Donato. It was quite a hike, but the way was clearly marked. When we got there, quite a few people were already waiting for the train. In a couple of minutes, it showed up.
The train breezed in and stopped quickly. All doors on all cars slid open. Within 10 seconds, everyone who was getting off had gotten off. In another 10-15 seconds, everyone else had boarded. The doors closed and the train took off. The whole thing happened FAST. There’s no time for hesitation around here, that’s for sure.
Our car was nearly full of people either sitting or standing. If you’re just going a short way on the Metro, there isn’t much point in sitting down, so even if seats are available, a lot of people just stand up and hang on to the bars provided. That’s what we did.
The first stop we came to was “Repubblica.” It’s located underneath Piazza della Repubblica. This is supposed to be a very nice part of town. Lots of swanky hotels are located here. We’re not gonna see ‘em, though – we’re going to go right under ‘em.
Bella Musica
At the Repubblica stop, a guy with an accordion got on board. He set up a little stand with a container for donations, then started playing songs on his accordion as we zoomed along. There’s something about accordion music that makes people happy. We were thinking, “Okay – now we’re REALLY in Italy!”
The next stop was “Turati,” and the second-to-last stop was “Montenapoleone.” It goes under “Via Montenapoleone,” a street in the heart of Milan’s fashion district. It’s packed with Italian designer boutiques and jewelry stores. It’s Milan’s answer to Rodeo Drive, except in this case, the designers really live and work here.
Last stop: Piazza del Duomo. We got off the train and spotted a sign pointing to a stairway leading up to Piazza del Duomo, (Cathedral Square). So far, so good.
Piazza del Duomo
When we emerged from the Metro, the first thing we saw was the gigantic church, Il Duomo di Milano. It’s a spectacular sight. It’s gawk-worthy. And there were plenty of people standing around, just gawking up at it – kind of like when Dorothy and company got their first look at Emerald City. A light rain was falling, but no one seemed to care.
Other than the train station and the Metro, this was our first glimpse of Milan. Piazza del Duomo makes quite a first impression. It’s a large square surrounded by buildings from another era. Il Duomo di Milano takes up one whole side. The other building that stands out is a huge arch at the entrance to “Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II” – the first Italian shopping mall.
The square is mostly open space, except for a large statue of a sword-wielding soldier on horseback. He’s Vittorio Emanuele II – the same guy they named the galleria after. He was the first king of Italy.
Looking all around, the whole scene at Piazza del Duomo is really something. You just know this place has seen some serious history. But we don’t have time to get into that now. We’ve signed up for a tour, so we need to find the place where we pick up our tickets.
There’s one other thing we need to take care of. It’s been a long time since breakfast. Ho fame!
To be continued.
Just for fun…
Arriviamo – We arrive. (From “arrivare” — to arrive)
No Esitazione! — No hesitation
Piazza del Duomo – Cathedral Square
Bella musica — Beautiful music, (but you knew that)
Entra qui — Enter here. (Pronounced “entra kee.” Roll that “r”!)
Ho fame — I’m hungry. (Pronounced “hoh FAH-meh.” Literally, “I have hunger.”)
