Milano

A perfect misty Milan day. Was it the Lavender Camomile spray, the million count sheets, the ridiculously soft bed, or does Milan just suit us? We had a perfect rest and woke up ready for the day.

We bathed and showered and spritzed ourselves with Acqua di Parma and headed downstairs for breakfast. We’re not in Kansas anymore, ToTo…. The snooty concierge from the day before had nothing on the pompous maitre’d. Instead of the kind and gracious welcome we received at L’Alberta and Grodernhof, there was the rustling of papers, much discussion with the staff, and an eventual table with a hasty explanation of the menu. But what a menu: Just the thought of duck foie gras with raisin bread or linguine with lobster was enough to warm me to the place. And then the show began! So the Principe attracts a distinct crowd. It’s sort of the Sherry Netherland of Milan. There was woman of a certain age with the dark glasses and small bandage on her nose ordering a very complicated macchiato in a special glass, the long blonde locked musician in the pale pin striped grey slender cashmere suit with the pocket watch with his older wife and bulldog, the swept back grey haired professore with his petite blonde “niece”, the British businessmen in the loud blue suits with very short pants, and best of all, the tall, portly elderly Italian with the poorly dyed hair ordering the waitstaff around and setting up his circa 1998 laptop for his normal morning routine –he’s probably a resident of the hotel. I’d love to know all their stories.

Allora, and so the day began. The Milanese love their pups!

We walked the city, saw the Galleria, the beautiful gardens and parks, the cafes and then the Duomo. So much beauty. The details are overwhelming.

And done in the 1500’s. How did they figure it all out? How did they know it could bear this weight without sinking? It’s almost too much to take in.

My dearest Cathryn met us again and we had a long leisurely lunch together and just enjoyed each other — time stands still. How lucky we are to have found each other 40 years ago? We still dress alike, think the same things, and finish each other’s sentences and we haven’t seen each other in like three years. A visit with her always inspires me, and this time is no different.

We saw a great Van Clef and Arpels exhibit at the Palazzo Reale as well, and then we all headed home.

Brad and I went out for a stroll, and of course I had to check out the food stores. MaMa Mia, the quality of the food is overwhelming. Definitely renting an apartment so I can cook the next time, and, of course, checked out U.S. Customs regulations on what I can bring back. I leave you with my food porn photos….

Look at the way they tip the end of each pear:

And for you, Marcia:

My vegetarian friends can stop here.

Oh, and at the Duomo, we lit a candle for Chazy.

I’m going to spray my lavender now. See you tomorrow.