A Masterpiece

If you happened into Milano and you were some how only able to see one thing before you left the decision in my mind would be an easy one. As I have traversed the city day after day and observed many an amazing detail everything pales in comparison to the Duomo Cathedral.

The second larget cathedral in the world the magnificent building was built from 1616 to 1880, and is composed of brick faced with marble. The entirety of the building is a prime example of exquisite craftmanship and art. It has even inspired writing from Mark Twain in Innocents Abroad.

Every time that Miles and I find our selves in the presence of the building it inspires a sence of awe. Miles recalls the first time over three years ago when he walked off of the subway at Duomo and had no idea what to expect. He came above ground in this large open square and as he looked around he caught his first sight of the magnificent cathedral. In the midst of all the chaos and confusion he just stopped at the top of the steps and stared in starstruck awe at the beauty of the creation before him. It is to this day one of his favorite places in the world, and its right up there for me too.

For more information check out the website http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/milan-cathedral

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-SM-

Streets of Water

There is not much for Miles that warrants waking up at 6:20 in the morning but this was an exception. Up with the crack of dawn walking to the train station we were wide awake and energized. We were off on an adventure to a place that has been an object of his imagination since childhood.

the first view

We sat patiently together for the three hour train ride enjoying the view of the Italian countryside. upon arrival we exited the station and were graced with a stupendous first sight. there was a gorgeous dome of a cathedral rising out of the red roofs that surrounded it. In the foreground numerous boats busied themselves up and down a wide green canal. Oh yea baby, we were in Venezia, or as the western world calles it Venice.

just like my imagination

There was no real plan, only to see as much as possible as cheaply as possible. This was accomplished by walking from one end of the island to the other and back again. the task could have been made easier with the ability to walk on water but alas we were unable. For this reason we oft found our selves backtracking for bridges, especially when we strayed from the tourist path as we both like to do.

The city was every bit as majestic as it has been made out to be. Serene canals took the place of side streets, while a couple of wide bustling canal comprised the main thoroughfare. The pedestrian travel was provided for by walkways that zigzagged their way between the building seemingly at random. They proved challenging even for our superior navigation skills. Along the main tourist route everything was done up postcard perfect while merely a few short canals away you could pass into a quiet neighborhood that seemed to belong more to a peaceful small town. This sharp juxtaposition created a nice rounded feel for the city.

Today was surely a surreal journey through imagination land. The sights that were seen and the memories that were made will forever march in our minds in our life long parade.

 



For more pictues check out Spikes facebook which is linked on this blogspot.

-SM-

Where the Night Might Lead

Early evening was about to strike in Milan and once again Miles and I had the night off. We took off to meander around the city and see what kind of excitement we could find, we may have gotten more than we bargained for. Upon the discovery that out favorite gelato place is closed for a week because they are moving, our one solid plan for the night was thrown into chaos. We therefore skipped straight to the wander around part of the plan after picking up some stand in gelato at another store (it was not nearly as good I have to say). So upon walking down a street all of a sudden Miles and I happen across a friendly face. You have to understand this is incredibly odd as we only know like four people here. We had randomly run into Giada, and old friend from when Miles had worked at the Jil Sander showroom. Upon our reunion she insisted that we join her with several of the other girls that we knew from there as well.

Miles thought he had died and gone to heaven I could tell as he pulled up a chair and sat at a table with about eleven wonderful ladies. Everyone was having an enjoyable time finishing up the happy hour drinks and chatting about various things. Some people were even gracious enough to talk in english so that we didnt feel completely stupid.

At this point the group broke up as some went home and some went to another bar to continue the evening festivities. We of course joined the crew that continued on. At the new bar we tried a mojito, it was ok but left a little to be desired, and dined on some of the remainder of the happy hour food. Everyone was telling stories and experiences and it was a very enjoyable time. I have said it before and I will say it again, going into a day or evening with no plan and an open mind can lead to some of your most fun times. Thanks everyone for an awesome night.

-SM-

It's a Freaking CASTLE!!!

Well my dear friends there are a couple of tourist spots here in Milano that you really just have to see if your here. One of them is simply refered to as Castello, yes its a castle. Therefore it is also amazing. The construction of it supposedly started between 1360 and 1370, before America was even "discovered." There have since been many additions and renovations but when you look at it it's majestic for sure.

I don't know if it's an American thing or not but castles have always had a magical appeal to me. I grew up seeing them in books, and reading about them, seeing them in movies, but to see one in real life is beyond anything you can imagine. I have been to Milano three times now and every time I always want to go and just walk the castle at least a couple of times a trip. You walk inside those walls and you are transported back to an ancient era.

Now the modern castle plays more the part of a historical museum and gallery. there are several different galleries located inside that you can tour and browse through. I actually enjoy the art that is a part of the castle its self as much though. Above each door you can find an old crest painted there, and there are statues and carvings scattered around the courtyards. If you happen through Milano I highly recommend you take some time to travel back in time as you wander the vast expanses of this amazing piece of history.

This is the actual website for the castle so can check out all the detials if you so desire.

http://www.milanocastello.it/ing/home.html

-SM-

The Simple Things in Life

So as you know im sure not every day can be super exciting and packed full of fun, that said this week has been pretty much just a usual week in Milan. Some wandering and sightseeing, some gelato, some tanning, reading, and so on. We all need those small special details to make our lives complete, they are like the mortar that holds the bricks together.

I was turned on to a place earlier in the week that makes a 2.50 euro pizza so last night, being starving and not in the mood to cook and have eggs...again, I went and got a bottle of lemon pop from the grocery and got a 2.50 pizza to go. This delectable combo of dinner I walked to a nearby park where I enjoyed it in the midst of what I can only assume was the entire gang of local drug dealers lol. They pretty much left me alone and I minded my business and all was well in the end.

So my real question is what kind of meat is in a 1.50 kebap???

Dinner at the park with the dealers (not pictured)

Sometimes we need a simple night like this so that when we do go to some fancy restaurant, or do some outlandish adventure we can measure its greatness and enjoy it all the more, and we can also enjoy the simple pleasure of getting a pizza and a pop for less than 3 euro too.

-SM-

A Broader Scope of Art

So to take a step back in time a bit about a month ago I was lucky enough to be a part of the construction team for the Scope art fair in Basel Switzerland. There were two huge perks to the job though, one is that it brought me to europe again which has led to all the adventures I have shared with you thus far, and the other is that it let me enjoy browsing around the fair and bask in the radiant glory of all the art there.

The knowledge in this table must be great

Take a chill pill

This fair was definitely a sight to behold. It was composed of approximately forty to sixty booths which were rented by artists and galleries from around the globe. The art varied as much in form and composition as did the people in attendance, which is to say pretty much everything was covered. There were gorgeous paintings, brilliant pop art sculptures, impeccable photographs, and numerous other masterpieces that I can not even begin to convey.

 

There are also Scope shows in Miami and New York and if ever you find yourself with the opportunity to visit one i would highly recommend it. I myself hope to continue to work with the setup so if you are unable to visit hopefully I will be able to cover it again for you in the future.

There was really killer art

-SM-

To view more of the pictures from this event check out Spiks facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/spike.miller.106

The following galleries also had art pictured in this blog

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Galerie-Judy-Straten/194580163908817

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Robert-Fontaine-Gallery/183563715030287

Italia vs España

Ok friends I feel the need to preface this with the fact that I have never been a soccer fan, in fact I have never even really watched much soccer and often make it the brunt of jests and jokes. That said today was the final for the Euro Cup 2012 with Italy playing Spain for the title. Since I am currently living in Milano Italy I thought this was the best chance I would ever have to really get to experience the european futbol that I know every country outside of the USA lives and dies by.

The presence of the impending game was felt early in the day as I wandered the city, street vendors were all out hocking their wares which today consisted of Italia colored air horns, shirts, and flags. People were dressed in all red white and green, many sporting said wares and the atmosphere was alive with excitement. Upon asking where I should go to watch the game I was directed to Piazza del Duomo where everyone was going to watch the game on the big screen.

As I made my way to the Piazza I decided to purchase an Italin flag for several purposes, it helped me blend in with the locals, it kept the sun off of my already sunburnt shoulders, and would make a good memento of the occasion. I arrived about one and a half hours before the game starting and found my self in the midst of several thousand other spectators.


To kill the time I got a large beer and watched the crowd carry on in a way that I had only previously witnessed on TV. There were minor explosions, cheers and chants, everything was climbed on, and the riot police came and ordered everyone to stop climbing in the construction scaffolding around the statue. To cap it all off a flying beer bottle hit the guy next to me in the jaw and we still had like ten minutes till game time. I wondered silently to my self what I had gotten my self into.

As the game started things amazingly enough calmed down, the focus was on the game and that led to nothing but disappointment. Italy ended up losing 4 - 0 I believe though I left as it started to rain at 3 - 0. I will admit that watching the game here in that environment was far more exhilarating than any previous soccer experience I had encountered but I still just cannot really support the game. It lacks excitement to me, im sorry die hard soccer fans, I tried I really tried to like it but it's just not there. I can watch and appreciate but to seek and enjoy it is a little beyond my bounds.


That being said though if ever you as a tourist get the opportunity to witness an epic event such as what I did today don't you dare back out of it. The experience and the atmosphere that surrounded this evening were unique and a very rare life experience opportunity. To watch a whole country pour its heart out for something that it loves is well worth being a part of.

Congrats to Spain and all of their supporters on a victory well won.

-SM-