An evening of calcio

As mentioned, the reason we were in Milan was to watch a soccer game. Since we go the tickets through someone who works for the organization, we thought we were pretty VIP so took the fancy seats when we got there. Turns out, they weren't actually our seats but we got to stay there anyway :)

San Siro Stadium is the largest in Italy and one of the top ten largest in Europe. As such, it's pretty confusing to sort out when you get there and want to buy a drink but definitely worth the trip! 

Our fancy seats had TVs to watch replays on, the only way to go if you ask me!

This is what someone looks like after flying back from Mexico and
 leaving for Milan the same day

Where the crazy hard core fans sit

The crazy hard core fans in action

And Inter won the game! They also have a brilliant metro system where the gates stop letting people when it's at capacity and then it waits a few minutes and starts to fill again when the next train arrives.

The only thing left to mention is the food! I don't have many pics but we did eat at some amazing places thanks to my travelling mates who did the research for us.

After the game we went for dinner and it was hard to find a place with the kitchen open.
This place was kind enough to offer us a portion of the menu including this awesome prosciutto.

This is actually a starter - creme brulée made out of artichokes with potato chips on top.

One of the restaurants that we went to that focuses on farm to table and
has a "farm" in the centre of its courtyard.

The Centre of Milan

In Piazza del Duomo stands, not surprisingly the Duomo di Milano. This gothic style cathedral was built beginning in the late 1300s and today is home of the archbishop of Milan. 

We actually saw it at different times of day but regardless of time, there were a gazillion people also checking it out. We wanted to go to the top but because of the lines, we ran out of time.

Just off to the side of church is the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II arcade. This Galleria is one of the world's oldest shopping centres and named after the first king of the Kingdom of Italy. It's also where you can find the high end designers, you know if you have spare change to get rid of . . .

And then it was off to the reason why we were there . . .

Milan Milan Milan!

I landed in Paris Friday evening from Mexico and then got up at 4am to head to Milan for the weekend. . .because that's what normal people do right?! My friend got us free tickets to see Inter Milan so I couldn't pass up the opportunity. We chose an AirBnB which was not one of the better ones I've been in. There were issues with the heat and hot water and some aversion to toilet seats I can't quite figure out!

I missed the viewing of the Last Supper painting but I did manage to see the other sites they went to. Like most of my posts, I am going to divide this one up into several so they don't get too long.

First up, Castello Sforzesco

The original construction was ordered by a Visconti in the mid-1300s but later destroyed. It was then rebuilt by the Duke of Milan, Francesco Sforza, in the 15th century. Like all good castles it was occupied several times including by the French, Spanish, Austrians, Napoleon and then the Austrians again. After the unification of Italy in the 19th century, the castle was transferred from military use to the city of Milan. Today the castle is filled with museums including works by Michelangelo and Da Vinci. 

And then off to the centre square . . .

Cancun in less than 24 hours

We needed to go to check out our venue but it was a whirlwind adventure. We where there less than 24 hours and all we saw was the venue and hotel. But just to show I made it there, here are a few pics of the place. . .

where I stayed . . .

It's all you can eat but they still left snacks!

The balcony I didn't enjoy

As close as I got to the beach . . .

And us working hard . . .or posing for the camera . . .

See you in June Cancun!

More Mexico City

While walking to and from meetings and lunches I did see a few other things in Mexico City. Unfortunately I don't really know what I saw but most of it was in San Angel so maybe the rest of you know!

and apparently my pants are too long for me!

And our colleague from Mexico City was more of a tourist than any of us and was the one taking the most photos.

Flavia in action!