What ? It can't rain on vacation!!!

If it has to rain, today seems like the perfect day for it. We are departing Switzerland for Milan, where our primary interest lies in fashion. Milan is renowned as the fashion capital of the world, but interestingly, today is laundry day in Milan. Therefore, no shopping for us, not even window shopping.

Our day unfolded like this: we took the Bernina Express to Tirano, then transferred to another train bound for Milan. Fortunately, one of us realized they had left their phone in the hotel room in Levanto. During a brief stop to let passengers on and off, I seized the opportunity to disembark and rush back to the hotel. However, the train departed without me, leaving me stranded in the stunning surroundings of Lake Como. Although the fleeting thought of disappearing into the countryside crossed my mind, I ultimately decided to pick up the phone, catch another train, and head towards the seven tourists eagerly awaiting my return. I did, however, eat a couple of pastries before the train arrived. I think Julie is counting my pastry intake so this was my golden opportunity.

After meeting up with my friends, we made the choice to visit the Duomo located in the heart of Milan. It was a half-hour walk under favorable conditions, or a quick five-minute journey on the subway. Feeling adventurous, we opted for the metro and with the assistance of a kind Italian woman and a friendly Canadian, we successfully navigated the subway system with ease.

Exiting the metro, we were met with the magnificent sight of the Cathedral of Milan, gleaming in the rain. While we couldn't explore its interior, the breathtaking beauty of the duomo's exterior was truly awe-inspiring. It took almost six centuries to construct the Cathedral, and the intricate craftsmanship was beyond words. Witnessing this masterpiece alone made the trip to Milan worthwhile. Despite the rain and our hunger, our next objective was to locate a restaurant called Papa Francesco. A friend of Sherri's, Don Ellerbrock, had serendipitously discovered this restaurant years ago, eventually writing a newspaper article in the Detroit Free Press praising its exceptional food quality and inviting ambiance, which garnered national attention. Finding "Papa's" was simple; it was situated just off the bustling main business district in Milan's historic area. Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed by Paolo, who we later learned was the son of Augusto, the restaurant's owner whom Don had befriended long ago. Sherri tried earnestly to convey her connection with the restaurant owner and her friend Don, but the language barrier proved challenging until Wally produced a photo showing Don. Seeing Don in the picture, Augusto's wife Rita immediately bridged the gap, transforming the warm reception into a heartfelt family reunion. We were no longer mere tourists dining at her establishment; we were embraced as family invited to her Sunday dinner table. Following an engaging conversation and a delectable meal, our next mission was to navigate the subway, a task easily accomplished by our group of seasoned world travelers.

Well, we defeated the subway and made it back to our room. Tomorrow's laundry day in Florence. Look forward to our next adventure....