Farewell to Argegno ~ On to Milano!

"Once a year, go someplace you've never been before."
Dalai Lama

Another bittersweet day ... the day we must say "Arrivederci, Lago di Como" ... but also the day I get to travel to an Italian city I've never visited before:  Milano!

The Girls (Amy & Margie) are up, packed and gone before the rest of us arise ... they have only one day in Milan before flying home to North Carolina, so wanted to catch the very first ferry to Como!  The rest of us (The Foldesi Group and I) take our time, enjoying breakfast on that beautiful terrace one more time ... packing up and checking out at 10:30.  I stop for a quick visit to the church next door ... and find it beautifully decorated for a wedding.  We toss (very stale) bread to the ducks and loons as we cross the little bridge to town ... they are most appreciative!  

Last cappuccino in Argegno 

Our ferry doesn't leave until 11:43 ... so we have time to park our suitcases at the bar across from the ferry landing ... and enjoy a cappuccino!  There's also a chance to wander around the little streets and alleys of Argegno one more time.  Such a beautiful little town ... so grateful that Jerry Foldesi's Internet search months ago came up with our beautiful apartment here!

Another perfect day for our non-stop ferry ride back to the town of Como ... all our eyes scanning the western shore for a peek at George Clooney's villa, Oleandra.  No luck with that, but we did see plenty of gorgeous villas and gardens along that stretch of the lake shore.  When we reached Como, we easily found a couple of taxis to transport us (and our luggage!) to the Como San Giovanni train station ... where we purchased tickets to Milan Centrale at a friendly "kiosk."  Short wait on the platform and we were whisked off to Milan ... quick 25 minute train ride.  The Milano Centrale train station is very beautiful ... and one of the largest in Europe.  Built in 1931 by Mussolini, it really is a spectacular edifice inside and out!  

Milano Centrale

Amazing interior of Milano Centrale train station!

Quick wait at the taxi stand outside the station and then we were on our way to our Airbnb apartment where we were met by the owner's representative, a handsome, friendly young Sri Lankan named Ranga.  He showed us around the apartment, how to operate the interior and exterior door locks (tricky!!) and answered our questions about nearby grocery stores, public transportation and restaurants.  

View from my bedroom!

One of the greatest things about this trip has been the amazing variety of places we have stayed:  Walter & Natalia's cozy apartment in Rome, the spacious and beautiful Sassaia farmhouse at Chiarentana in Tuscany, the just 5-year old, sleek and modern apartment on Lake Como ... and now here in Milan ... an apartment in a building from the 15th century!  The views of the Sforza Castle from all the windows were to die for ... the 14' ceilings, the antique (and I do mean antique) elevator, three eclectic bathrooms, typically Italian, all three completely different.  (We five had this amusing conversation one evening at dinner:  Jim:  "When I sit on my commode at night, I can see the Sforza Castle completely illuminated!"  Laurette:  "Really?  When I sit on my commode, all I can see is myself ... in a big mirror."   Brenda:  "When I sit on my commode, I see the washing machine!"  

Jim's bathroom view!

After we settle in, Brenda and Jerry go out in search of something to eat (empty fridge syndrome once again), promising to bring back some food for the rest of us.  I was feeling sleepy and thought a nap was in order, but first I "WhatsApp'd" my former Italian tutor, Federica, who now is back living in her hometown of Milan, asking if we might get together sometime during my three days in her fair city?  Just as I was dozing off, her "WhatsApp" response came in:  "Sure!  Let's get together this afternoon!"  I was a little nervous setting out on my own to find her suggested meeting point of the Teatro Piccolo ... having never been in Milan before and NOT knowing my way around at all.  However, thank goodness for Google Maps and iPhones who can take you where you need to go!  Met Federica with no problem ... just a 10 minute walk from our apartment.  It was delightful to see her again and she took me on a terrific 90-minute walk all around the historic center of the city:   Brera, La Scala, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, Galleria Victor Emanuele and close to the Piazza del Duomo (where throngs of young people were lined up to go thru security for a huge outdoor concert).  

Federica and I stopped at a pretty sidewalk bar for a "Spritz" (a delicious and refreshing Italian aperitif made with Campari, Prosecco & orange slices) and then she was off for dinner with friends and I found my way easily back to my friends in our 15th c. building ... I managed the key to the HUGE exterior door ... but opted to do the 90-stair steps up to the 3rd (our 4th) floor apartment ... rather than testing that scary old elevator!

At nearly 9 pm (the sun was just setting!), we headed to the nearby, bustling Via Dante for a delicious dinner at Caffe Sforzesco Bistrot, a spot we would frequent often in the next couple of days.  Chicken "Milanese" was delish.  It's been a great day ... very, very fun already exploring this new (to me!), historic Italian city.  Milan is MUCH more beautiful than I expected ... wide boulevards, beautiful architecture, balconies on almost every building, and very clean streets!  

TOMORROW:  Leonardo's Cenacolo (The Last Supper)!