Study Abroad: Florence

Sorry if the Milan post is a little late and a little short-winded. I want to make sure to keep up with posting these trips but with less than 4 weeks to go, we're getting into crunch time. Milan was the last of our Reading Cities class trips. Being a primarily fashion capital, with much of the city built after being bombed in World War II, there is not as much on the prominent architecture side as in the other cities we've visited. However, Milan did have a few examples of amazing art and architecture to offer, as well as the ability to make me feel as though I have no money. I have never seen a greater concentration of designer stores and convertible Ferraris. Upon arriving in Milan, we had a 3-hour walking tour with a guide who explained the city planning of Milan, and how a mostly modern city (by Italian standards) has grown up in the context of what remains of the historical city. After the tour, we were told that we were all going out to lunch together and that the school would be buying (which is never a bad thing). We were never expecting, however, to be served enough food to last the whole weekend. The meal started off with bread as Italian meals typically do. Then platters of fried appetizers were brought; cheeses, potato, ham, etc. After more bread, a plate of two different types of pasta was brought with a meat sauce. And then another round of bread, followed by a veal steak with potatoes. At this point they were bringing more bread, but quickly turning away after seeing the uneaten bread already at the table. Next came a cannoli, and finally a cup of coffee for good measure. At this point the professors thought it a good idea to take us to the modern art museum, where we quickly found the couches. Besides comfortable seating, the museum also offered an Andy Warhol exhibit, which was cool to see. The next day we were scheduled to visit the church cafeteria where Leonardo Da Vinci’s 30’ Last Supper is painted on the wall. The painting, which is in controlled environment following 20 years of restoration work, is incredibly difficult to go in and see due to its deterioration over time. Groups are allotted only 15 minutes at a time, and without very advanced reservations, are not allowed in at all. We were the first Reading Cities group that has been able to see the painting, and so I was incredibly fortunate to have gone this year. Pictures were obviously forbidden, but it was definitely one of the most amazing pieces of art I’ve seen this semester. Following that we visited the Sforzesco Castle museum to see Michelangelo’s Pieta and the other works on display there. We then went on to visit the Milan Cathedral, a gothic masterpiece that is highly ornamented and took over 100 years to construct, as well as the Galleria, a shopping street which is roofed by a giant glass ceiling (and home to the first ever Prada store), and finally, the Teatro della Scala, possibly the most famous opera house in the world (I’ve really knocked out the famous opera houses this semester). Saturday night we stumbled upon Pizzeria Spontini due to the long line of Italians extending all the way out the door (usually a good sign). There they served only one type of pizza: cheese (or Margherita as they call it here). Milan pizza differs from the other pizza of Italy due to its thick (but especially soft and airy) dough. As hard as it is to say this, I think it was the best pizza that I’ve ever had in my life, so much so that we returned the next day for lunch (I looked later at reviews online to find many people who shared these claims). Sunday we visited the Design Museum in the morning, and then continued to the Inter Milan soccer stadium. After wandering around the city some more, and of course looking in the shops (500 euro jeans?), we headed back to Florence.

This past weekend we spent along the Amalfi coast, one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited. I'll try to get that post up later this week, there are a lot of pictures to sort through though!