Something fun of the trip

The trip has ended for more than a week and I miss Europe so bad! Every time I looked through the photos and talked to my friends about everything during this trip, I can't help myself being super excited and was not able to shut my mouth.

Here are something fun that I didn't get the chance to mention in other articles.

Cute animals.

Little puppy in Le Marais, Paris

Cute and lazy kitty in Pitti Palace, Florence.

Icon? 

I love this idea but I just wonder who's gonna wear it!!

Orangina and crepe. 

The reason why this kind of beverage brought us so much fun was because its erotic and ridiculous ads and commercials. 

                  

Crepe reminded me of the pancake in China. Same pan, same tools, same basic ingredients, same cooking methods. Different fillings so that crepe itself was totally different from that in China.

Duomo Milano

Duomo Milano was the best cathedral I have ever been to in the world! I read a lot books about it before but when I got to the roof I couldn't stop repeating 'Oh my lord, this is gorgeous!'. The light was perfect, it was not crowded, and we were able to get close to every single sculpture. Before the sun went down, the whole architecture was painted by its light and turned reddish gold. 

Tips:

1. Going to the roof of the Duomo costs 10 euros by lift, and 6 euros by stairs.

2. The roof opens till 10 pm everyday, plan well so you can have the best sunset scene ever!

Packing

I hate packing and unpacking as everybody else does but I am very good at it. I had the lightest check-in suitcase in the group, although my carry on bag weighted 12 pounds on my way back. And I had a soccer ball in my bag. The key point of packing light is rolling all your clothes to as small as it can be! Also, bring some clothes that are wrinkle-resistant and get away from high heels. Thank god our trip takes place in the summer. 

Pasta, Pizza, Gelato, you are my life!!!!

I love food! I love Italian food!! I have to say Florence has the best food out of other two Italian cities. The point is you don't have to search any restaurant information, all the restaurants and food stands in Florence were equally delicious!

Best pasta ever! 

Best pizza in Florence! 

In contrast, food in Venice was kind of disappointing. Price was reasonable but the flavor was Americanized. 

Seems like a very good pizza but only the toppings were eatable and yummy. But the whole pizza costs only 7 euros. What a deal! 

First Spaghetti with meat sauce in Italy. It was good but what we really enjoyed was sitting along the Grand Canal and watching the sunset in Venice. 

The group dinner in Guidecca was great! Flat spaghetti with seafood, kind of salty but really yummy! 

Actually because of the heat in Milan, we didn't really enjoy the food that much. But this random cafe around the Duomo was so cute! Read the menu please and tell me which one you want so bad! 

This was what I got-- a Gucci!!

Can't live without olive oil and vinegar. 

Last supper in Milan- spaghetti with bacon and cheese. 

One of the best Gelatos- Grom. 

The last one I had: small cone of raspberry and coffee. My favorite was extra dark chocolate with pistachio. 

Speak of cooking pastas, the cooking class we took in Giglio Cooking school of Florence was one of my favorite activities in the whole trip! I have never thought about making pastas myself. It was really hot while we were preparing food and the teacher was very tough. Everyone had to be deeply involved in this cooking process and what she asked us to do were pretty intense. I love cooking and I always cook at home. I was so excited to learn making Ravioli, Gnocchi, and Tiramisu and can't wait to cook them after I came back home. 

Football and Fashion

I knew the 'football' I mentioned was the soccer that Americans called. Before I came to the U.S, I have watched the European football games for more than ten years. The Italian national team has always been my favorite and the A.C. Milan was the only football club I loved in Europe. Can you imagine how excited I was when I knew I could come to Milan, where I can feel the strong passion for football games as well as for my favorite football player!

The biggest purchase during this trip was for A.C. Milan! A jersey shirt with my favorite football player Inzaghi's name and number on the back, and a soccer ball with all the players' signatures. When I brought the ball back to the hotel I doubted whether it worth the price and the effort that I am carrying back to New York. Catherine told me don't worry about it and she was hundred percent sure that I will be happy with the ball back at home. Yes she is right!

The last morning in Milan, I went to the San Siro stadium by myself. It was crazy because I only have 3 hours before leaving for the airport and I was not sure how to get there and how long it takes. Actually the subway took about 20 minutes one way and I walked for almost another 20 minutes to the stadium. When I got there it wasn't open yet, then it took 30 minutes in the museum and another 30 minutes in the stadium. I was running back to the subway and caught the train back to the hotel. 15 minutes before leaving. I made it! I felt so accomplished!!!

When I was wandering on the streets one day in Milan, this idea came up in my mind. Maybe the most important things in my life were those three 'F' words: food, football and fashion. Compared to fashion in Paris, Italian style has a stronger flavor. Here is what I observed of french style, http://ououma.blogspot.com/2011/07/trend-style-shopping-paris.html.

Same brand, but buyers picked those garments with stronger silhouettes and more creative details. Italy has such fierce sunshine that white is the best choice of everyone's outfits. 

Military seems in all the time. 

Windows in Florence blew my mind, indeed. I've never thought Florence as a fashion city, however, it has tons of creative local brands as well as those famous Italian fashion 'royalties' like Dolce & Gabanna, Prada, and Versace. 

Beautiful print is everywhere. 

Love the cool jacket, and the combination of leather, knits, and silk. Jewelries were gorgeous as well. 

Shopping tips:

1. Florence. Main shopping areas: around Piazza Santa Trinita, around Piazza della Repubblica, and around Duomo Florence. 

              Local brands: Dixie, Via Borgo S. Lorenzo, 5/r

                            Luisaviaroma outlet, Via Silvio Pellico, 9/11

2. Milan. Main shopping areas: 'Golden quadrangle' in between Via S. Andrea, Via della Spiga and Monte Napoleone.

          Walking along the Corso Venezia, to Corso Vittorio Emunuele, to Via Dante. 

          Walking along the Via Torino. 

          Local brand: Phard http://www.phard.it/phard/PHSS11/index.php

Football games tips:

1. Two official stores of A.C Milan. One located on Piazza S. Fedele, the other one is around Piazza XXIV Maggio and bigger. 

2. Going to the stadium, take Metro red line to Lotto, walking along Viale Caprili to Piazzale Dello Sport for about 20 minutes.