Roxy's adventures in Milan

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Friday - LOOKING

Today after a very slow morning we headed for town and decided that we better take a look at some high end fashion shops - research right!!

Well to tell you the truth we didn't last long - everything was so cool and expensive and it's not like to can just go try on some Marc Jacbos, Margela, YSL or Dior cos you feel like it.(as there are these HUGE black guys walking around - well actually they are just secerity) So after feeling a little bit discouraged on the clothing front we satsified your cravings by eating Gelato and sitting on the steps of the Dumo and people watching. (might say it makes time fly!!)

We then went to pick Lindsay up from the train station - this proved to be a mission and a half. We couldn't find the station but I guess I was asking people where you meet the buses - not the trains. So after figuring out that all drivers of trams and buses were on strike I managed to get my details right and we headed for the train station. Honestly it is such a beautiful station - with over 20 train docks it was completly packed out!! We met this lovely lady who helped us read all the arrival boards as they were all in Italian and she then helped us find the correct train.

Bang - there was Lindsay. Might I say it was nice to see a familiar face. This lady that helped us find Lindsay also had a friend who was looking for someone to fill a room so we waited around for him to arrive and had a chat. We finally figured out that it was going ot be too far away and since there where no undergrounds close by and it would cause problems getting home in the evenings.


Off again into the undergroud with all Lindsay luggage - lol and through the Dumo again we had a lovely seat in the square where we had a nice catch up (as Anna went to get a recharge card) We sat talking and for some reason we were all trying to learn how to swear in Italian too ward off all the men - anyways there we are swearing away and this lovely old man sitting beside us began to laugh, we noticed and remembered that yup we were swearing in there language but to us we were just trying to get the pronouncation right!! Funny - to this day I still haven't had a good chance to say it.

After getting back to the backpackers we settled down and cooked ourselves a mean feed - well actually Anna did (note: she is a saint in the kitchen)

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Thursday = Explore/Flat Hunt

While we were having breakfast and cleaning up - I took the trash out to the recyling bin on the terrace. There I saw a large market just up the road. On we thought - 'we better take a look' on with our gym shoes and walking gear we hit the market.

There we saw MEAT and CHEESE - umm they are just really expensive here so we havn't brought either. I am a meat eater to the core and am feeling a little deprived!! There were lots of cool funky wee stores that sell everything from vegies to toilet paper and tea strainers. We figured out that it was quite a bit cheaper to buy fresh fruit and vegies here that at the supermarket so we spent 7E and got three bags full of fruit - like strawberries, plums, oranges etc - oh so good. (But it still doesn't make up for the lack of meat!!! - Dad I really want some STEAK, and Gaynor I really can't become a vegaterian!!)

After our sweet purchases we heading out for a large walk around the city (hence the gym shoes/ we need excerise routine!!) I was a great way to explore as you get to find all the little knooks and crannies of the city - we came across some churches and old monutems and large runins randomling in the city! We discovered a fabric store and we thought that spotlight needed to take some tips from them as eveything was so nicly laid out, and prices were easy to see.

We organised all the flats that we have to visit in the evening and labeled everything on the map - so we wouldn't get lost. Off we went on the tram - to what we didn't know was china town in Milan. Funny I think that I kept on expecting toget fish thrown at my feet as I walked past shop - note this didn't happen. But the guy that we went to see had a very lovely appartment - Small - I mean small. It was expensive 370E (and thats per a person even thought you share a room) a month but it was clean and has a nice terrece.

Second flat - crazy old Italian lady how pretty much lived in an antique store, which had dark mood lighting. These were her rules. Cook and clean up after yourself - reasonable. Eat only in your room - unreasonable. No visitors - unreasonable. Pay three months in advance - weird, cos thats like 1500E which is over 3000NZD!! So we left that place in a bit of a giggle and hoped that that others would provide less strict living conditions.

We had to wait another hour to see the next flat and really hungry we stopped by a small bar that had this table sitting in the middle of a seating area covered in food - we were instanly taken in - so the deal is, it's happy hour so you buy a drink and you eat. So eat we did - really the first kind of meat that I had had in a while and it was ham (um..not my favourite by far) was ok-ish I guess. and lots of other stuff like Cheese, olives and sandwhiches etc - we were so hungry that I think we both ate too fast and felt sick as we stumbled out 45mins later. lol don't think that we will do that again.

Third flat - In a few words - gowanna's, metro, eccentric but large appartment. This guy is quite funny really - he asked Anna and I out for a drink just after we called him up and asked to view his place and continues to text us - funny really. The flat was really nice, a little older but it was huge in comparrison to the other two places that we had looked at.
(When I say big - it had a kitchen that could fit two or three people and a bathroom that could also fit two people!!) The room was nice it has a view and it is large enough that Anna and I could share it. Which makes the rent a little cheaper when you half the rent 570E down to 285E each. He also has alive Gowanna's in his bedroom - weird but Anna seemed to take to them - Me well a little freaked out. At least they only eat salad and flies!!!

On to the fourth flat - which we hoped would be a goer. We got there after reading the street name wrong, but we were still on time. From the outside it was a very old, it was a 'I think that I might just fall down if a gust of wind came through' type of building. But we thought we better give it a try. In we go and up four flights of stairs - which then equals to eight sections of stairs that were fairly steep. We get to the top and enter a every clean, modern and again small flat. The way that this worked was that one of the girls was looking for someone to share her room with - which was the living room. The flat consisted of one bedroom - a bathroom the size of a small toilet and a kicken that was large in Milan styles - as it could fit a table in it. The girl that we met was from Hungry and she was really cool - the rent is 300E plus 20E for gas and power. This flat is looking like the best so far - so that means that at least one of us might be sorted before we get kicked out of here on Sunday!!

Over all we actually found it quite easy to move around - the sub's and the trams are direct and easy to understand once you know what you are doing. Plus most of apartments that we went to look at were only around 10mins from the MM.

We were pretty tried so off to bed a 10pm and I fell asleep to our room mates exciting stories of jails and other funny adventures again.

Shopping - um..... heck yes!!!

Had a lovely sleep in - oh it was good. So up and around by 9am where we were in a hurried sprint to the centre of town (after missing our tram and needing to meet someone at 10) we finally got to the Dumo and headed for Sprizzico (a pizza version of McDonalds) there we met a girl that we might room share with. She was lovely - the only problem is that she is currenlly living way out in the waps!! But we are going to vist on Saturday so then we will be able to articulate actually how far it is.

After getting some shopping tips we hit the town - down Via Torino - might I say we had great fun trying on clothes all day and................. buying some I guess. There is this cool shop called Zara which has really nice funky stuff that isn't too too expensive either. Also for all you fashion girls reading this - everything that we have ever looked at on the internet of all the current trends and fashions, well they are everywhere here in the shops here - even in low line Glasson shops - it crazy but cool.
Note for new season trends: The in colour is PURPLE and if you are not wearing orange pants guys you are out!! (not sure if they are gay or just really keen to wear orange on their legs?? um..) Also paintent leather shoes and bags are the rage and swade shoes seem to be the goer too.

We finally when to one of those cute resturants for lunch (note: our's didn't have a flower on the table though) and had some Lasanga and riosotto - with water that you have to buy! EK
One thing that I have learn't over that last few days is that you always pay after you have eaten or had your drink - I think that they find it offencive when we try pay brfore hand, like you would usually do in New Zealand.

After a long day shopping we headed back home on the tram and cooked ourselfs some mean rice risotto. Um!! Anna is a good cook.

Met some cool girls from Aussie and L.A at the backpackers - they seem to entertain us in the evenings - lol they have some great bed time stories - like getting locked in a American prison and escorted on a plane by not one but three garuds. (she didn't really do anything to bad she just over stayed her welcome in America and then tried to go back.....kinda funny though)

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Tuesday Morning – School? Where ever that may be!

After such a wonderful sleep I was amping – until I had to walk for miles. So I was the map girl – as I pride myself in having good directional skills (yes Andy Woodward) we headed in the way my arm lead me. After crossing roads and dogging super fast scooters we made it to the park in which school was nearby. We went left and then left and then left and then left again (yes for those of you – we went in a circle) and finally came to the IED campus after asking numerous people how to get there slash I speak NO English!!

We enter school and find where we need to go on the map and head for it – Ivana our saviour in getting our visa’s in time came to meet us. We sat at the desk as she explained that we had another 101 forms to fill out – I might say that it was like sitting a test that you didn’t study for and then for a joke someone changed the language. She nicely guided us through it and we set out for our tour of the campus while we were eagerly getting tips on how to use the underground.

So school looks pretty nice so far, its modern and the people seem fairly nice – the computer rooms are what totally blew me away. Think large screen T.V = computer screen and they were some pretty nice Mac’s as well. We hear that school is by a LARGE supermarket I think that we will have to check it out!! After our exhausting experience at school we headed for lunch.
Lunch – well I think that we have just found our local. On the corner by school – pretty handy aye – but I might say a little different than the normal Fix or Eureka. We had a Panini that wasn’t really a Panini – maybe you could call it a roll?? So after our experience soaking up the very hot Italian weather we sourced more information about trams and undergrounds (can you see, we are currently scared of public transport) we headed to the tobacco store across the road and got our first tickets – then never mind you we ran to catch the tram – on it, well if we were hot before we got even hotter – Sardines in a can x10 with around 20degree weather (and everyone else wearing layers and woollens – I think that they are crazy!! We just don’t understand stupid Italian’s – this is HOT!!!)



The underground coming up fast!!


On the underground - boy it was HOTT

Off we got and down ‘underground’ to the underground (fancy that!!) As we got ‘underground’ we walked aimlessly looking for where we were meant to go – I tell you I think that you could actually get lost – its a scary place under there. So with the help of the Ayers’ friend I managed to inform Anna about which one to catch – so the underground destinations work in relation to the last stop. Once we sorted that we waited around 2mins and swish there was the underground (might add it was just like the movies – lol) We were excited and just like that we were in another sardine can. But it was fun, and man don’t they go fast!! We bumped into a beggar – our first with crippled feet that Anna thought wanted a seat so motioned him towards it. Note we are trying to get Milan Savvy (street wise!!! Heck yes, I’m getting black!!!) so we didn’t give him any money – NO NO NO!!! We say.

So off we go again to get out ATM cards for the subway (not the kind you eat!) and then entered out into the Dumo – quite amazing really. So I think that I will let the photo’s do the talking. Oh firstly we are trying to get savvy right – well we weren’t (easy target is written on our forehead) We ended up with these bracelets on us and they were saying that they are good luck charms from the ‘PEOPLE OF AFRICA!!!!’ I love you – from the PEOPLE OF AFRICA!!! NO NO NO!!! I got smart and walked off poor Anna was trying to explain to them that we have no money. Bet that – Africans!! Well not really but then we got bombarded by crazy pigeon men. That put lots of grain into your hand (while I might add I was trying to run away) we grabbed a few shots and then boosted. Check my face out!! I HATE BIRDS EVEN ON A GOOD DAY!!


Check us out (facials) and the bird - yowzers!!

This place is amazing, you could actually people watch all day (yes mum!!) the architecture is just so beautiful its like we’re not really here – it seems so surreal that this is all that I have ever seen in my art history books. Now its right in front of me – crazy huh!!


Dumo - center of Milan

Plazza
Outside Louis Vuitton - keep dreaming
We decided to go shopping and I left Anna in charge of the map – umm.....well this was interesting. LOL bless her, we walked around aimlessly for a while (actually we bumped into some pretty interesting people – Mr Clappy) – yes if we didn’t learn faster, we regrouped and headed for Torino. We didn’t really shop much today but I think that we will head off again tomorrow. After our attempt at catching a tram again we were pretty exhausted and tired after waiting for it to come and making sure that we were going to get on the right one – while getting a bit delayed at the Vodafone shop (everything here they give you a number and you just wait your turn – mind you that takes like hours!!) So while waiting for this tram to come that actually never comes as we finally figured out that we were waiting for it in the wrong place – we got home in a very tired and hungry state that had me nearly comaring out on the floor with my tummy again on the verge of eating it’s self! (why am I so hungry these days?? Worms I say – I need a doctor, pronto!!)

Oh forgot to add we made our first Italian meal and so in thanks to Italy we made pasta – um it twas good!

So in conclusion it was a huge day and we are both fairly tired so off to bed at 9pm to get a restful sleep. Ciao!!
P.S sorry I tried to up load a copy of Mr Clappy man but it wouln't fully upload so hopefully I will be able to get it to you guys sometime soon, it's so funny!!

Monday afternoon - The supermarket







So as we settled down in our hostel I decided that it was time to get some REAL food – my tummy had on its way to eating my whole entire body for the last few hours, so I thought that it was high time to remedy this problem.


So as we prepared ourselves to ‘TAKE MILAN BY STORM’ (ie. Making sure that we had our money belts on, passport secure etc) we embraced our map and set out the door. Surprisingly there was a supermarket fairly close to we experienced our first – lets not die in Milan please!!! - While crossing the two roads to the supermarket. Well I would like to say that I quite like Asian driving now, they are fairly tame in all ways. Italian drivers are fast, horn blowers, screamers and in one word – CRAZY. So Anna and I decided that the best way to tackle this was to get in behind some locals and take on the traffic. We did and we were successful. YAY
We arrived that the supermarket, looked inside and said were is the supermarket?? We were standing outside of which would be the equalivant of a small – very small 4 Square. Inside it consisted of one isle and well actually that was it. So we spent a while getting to terms with how much everything cost and them tackled the language barrier. So in the end we brought some kind of fish (still lies a mystery) some veggies, rice, pasta, bread (which is small and unusual looking) milk (sweet and weird can explain that) pineapple and some familiar Special K. All together it cost 17E, which will hopefully feed us for a few days. Paying for the food – well it was funny, I think I am getting better at this sign language thing but I handed over the money and said caio!


We headed back to the hostel to put all the food into the fridge and then our plan was to head out again. But....Anna had be suffering from a terrible head ache so I said to her that it would be best of she slept it off. As I amused myself I was determined not to sleep as I wanted to get in Milan time – but you guessed I only lasted around an hour and I was out like a light. I woke up in the dark, still in my clothes and very very hot. Yes it was 12am and we both were ready to go, unfortunately Milan was all still asleep. So for the next 7hours we dosed and slept feeling extra refreshed for the day ahead........so we thought.

Monday, October 13, 2008


The early begining SUN 12th - MON 13th (morning)

PACKING - Well this was my first hurdle. 30kgs from Dunedin to Auckland causes a huge problem when you are only allowed to have 20kgs and 7kgs hand luggage (which my hand luggage was at 14kgs). So as you would expect of a fashion student I kept the clothes and biffed the shampoo, conditior also some unneeded undies. While I see that taking these small things out wouldn't get me down to the required amount I made my hand luggage heavier. Anna my saviour took my heavy books and carried them in her hand luggage - which she was obviously more stategic in her pack (she says it took her a WHOLE day!)

AIRLINE - Well they tease you don't they - for those of you who havn't traveled overseas they make you walk past all the business class seats. Your expectations rise and than dramatically fall when you realise that they aren't for you!! We are seated in CATTLE CLASS - but I might mention it was first cattle class - It was quite nice thanks to those lovely Singapore air hostesse's.
We ate food - watched TV - laughed out loud to Little Britain while making friends with our British neighbour. He also gave us some sweet sweet advice - no. 1 If you see two men holding hands they are not gay!!! - no. 2 Don't order a cappacino after 12 or they will laugh at you - since as I didn't know cappacino is a moring drink.

TRANSIT - Singapore - well what can I say! Its huge, crazy, beautiful, amazing, they have fish, sunflowers and 30degree weather - which made me sweat like a pig in my New Zealand Merino!! We walked lots and had cool rides in trains and went on those super cool carpet things that move!! Rad a say - we had people laughing at us - as we where pretty stoked!!
We had a shower - and then kinda ate some food that wasn't for us - I might add the lady said it was free - in which is was - but the catch is you pay before you eat!!! We laughed all the way out!!! It was funny - my first bad ass thing of the trip - Yuss!!!

FLIGHT 2 - This was a long leg. Just over 12 hours and to let you know I hadn't slept yet. So again lots of movies and drinking water - my new best friend bacame the loo!! In which I had never been to an aircraft loo before - new expereices, great, small but great - cosy! Also Anna sleeps with here mouth open - funny, it has be my amusement - plus the odd snore!!
More food- am very much looking forward to some fresh vegies!! (If we can find a supermarket)

ARRIVAL - Wasn't as spectular as I thought - the Invercargill Airport is quite a bit nicer - the imagration boys were quite cute though. A bonus as I don't think Invercargill has those. We waited for our baggage for which seemed like 10years when you have had no sleep - but it came.
Problem no. 2 - Getting into town. Well this was definitly an adventure - we decided to get a taxi as this would be the easiest and most direct way instead of getting the train. It was more expensive but we thought that it would save alot us getting lost. The thing is we got into the most flashest taxi in Milan - a black Merecdes that had black leather interior and all the bells and whistles that you could image. I also was went to get into the drivers seat - he then kindly opened my door laughing at me. Also me at myself!!!

I THINK I WAS MY LIFE FLASH BEFORE ME - the ride into the city - well MAN THEY ARE CRAZY DRIVERS!! We nearly got hit my a large bus, a tram well actually two, motor that wizz past you - some drivers even smoking while overtaking numerous cars on very congested highways!!! I am alive this I know - and I also know that I am never going to drive here!! I think that I would be too passive and get crashed into or tooted at and some crazy Italian saying shouting "vaffanculo!!" (english = Fuck off (by the way Jake Greive told me to learn this word))

So my view on Milan so far- Dirty but there is alot of awsome street tagging, it is busy but exciting, medium heated 13degrees and one really hot guy that lives over the road from us. This I know only from Anna who scremed - outloud might I add, while running away from the window so he didn't see her!!

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