arrivederci america: Verona, Como and Milan!

Last Monday was a whirlwind. We left bright and early and were suppose to arrive in Medona for a balsamic vinegar tasting in a few 6 hours. But that few six hours turned into 13! Our bus had a mechanical problem and we had to stop in a random town. For 2 hours, while the bus was being fixed we played games such as psychiatrist, mafia, and the movie game. I felt like I was at camp in the 4th grade again, but it was so fun and we laughed for the full 2 hours. I have really enjoyed getting to know the other 20 girls. This trip wouldn't be the same without any one of them! So the bus was supposedly "fixed" and then we get lost! We finally made it to the balsamic vinegar place and had a great time. We tried balsamic vinegar on ice-cream and I know it doesn't sound good (I was definitely skeptical!), but it was actually delicious. Probably won't whip out my vinegar next time I have ice-cream but if you're ever in the mood, you should definitely try it! After our tasting, it was back on the bus to travel to Verona. We finally made it and I think everyone crashed. We were all so tired!

Tuesday, we toured Verona, which is such a cute town. If I come back to Italy, I want to go back there! It has an arena that looks similar to the coliseum where concerts are held. Rod Stewart was coming next! Verona had amazing shopping - Louis Vuitton, Gucci, etc, which was so surprising for being such a small town. Also, Juliet's house, from Romeo and Juliet, is in Verona. So we went and saw the balcony and at the entrance of her house, people have written love letters and they are attached everywhere on the walls. It was really neat!

Arriving in Verona!

Part of the cute town from the top of the arena...

The entrance to Juliet's house...

A statue of Juliet and the balcony...

Beautiful view!

Next, we traveled to Como. We stayed there a few hours to walk around and have lunch. I was really sad because I didn't see George (as in George Clooney). The lake was beautiful and it was such a perfect day to be on a boat!

Some of us after lunch!

After a short trip to Como, we went to Milan! I was super excited about this because it is the fashion capital of Italy. First, we visited the Duomo and then walked through the first mall ever! I felt like I needed to take a moment of silence in front of it. hehe!

Milan's Duomo

The first mall! (It has the first Prada store in it too!)

Wednesday, we met with Max who gave us a presentation on architecture of Milan. Milan is very different because it is modern while the rest of Italy has more "historic-looking" buildings. We also visited a Villa that had a mixture of modern and Renaissance style. We had lunch at a yummy Japanese restaurant which was a nice change from pasta! We also went to a modern art museum and toured a popular street in Milan. It was a packed day! Sidenote story: I've become an avid packer during my stay in Italy, so I only had one outfit per day for this 10-day trip. Well Wednesday I wore tights and when I put them on in the morning I noticed they had a small run. I didn't really think anything of it, but by the end of the day it was from the top of my thigh to my foot! Then we stop to get a nutella crepe and somehow, I still am unsure, I get nutella all down the front of my tights - both legs! Sometimes I feel like a 3 year old child! So I have to take off my tights because they are so gross. Well then everyone makes fun of my pale white, hairy legs. It was not pretty!

Some of use relaxing...

Canal in Milan...

Cute vanity at the Villa we visited! (There was also a Lacoste photo shoot going on while we were there!)

Exhibit A of the torn hose...I don't think someone has posted a pic with the nutella yet...

Thursday, one of Max's students met the fashion girls and we went to a store called 10 Corso Como and to a young fashion house called A-Lab Milano. 10 Corso Como was the cutest (and very expensive) shop! It sells high designer items and avant garde pieces. They have everything from shoes to jewelry to makeup and perfume. They also have a library with books on fashion, interior design and music and a restaurant. A-Lab Milano consisted of 3 people - one designer/ concept developer and two people who construct the garments. They had some very cool pieces and are becoming well know in Italy. They were so nice and some girls even bought some pieces! Milan was a great experience and hopefully one day I'll be back for fashion week there!

With Veto, our tour guide for the day!