I sleep in a bit and by the time I reach the Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II and Duomo it’s almost 7am and surprisingly, there are quite a few people around. The Galleria is a mall housed in a glass-covered 19th century arcade with luxury brands. It’s immense and dazzling.
There’s a large stage set up in the piazza for a concert and young people are lined up already. I can’t get the shot I want of the Duomo so it’ll have to wait for another morning in hopes that the stage will be removed.
I wander for a bit but I’m not feeling overly inspired photographically speaking. I think I’m just plain worn out from the punishing schedule I’ve set myself for the last month. By 10:30am it’s 34 degrees and I’m calling it. I head back to the air conditioned apartment for a nap and sleep for over two hours. I NEVER nap at home so I’m shocked I completely passed out. I clearly needed some rest.
The rest of the afternoon is spent in organizing my plan to visit Lake Como tomorrow morning. I figure out the trains and ferries I need to take in order to visit the towns Varenna, Bellagio and possibly Menaggio. There are tours I could take but I prefer to be on my own schedule. It’ll be a very early start but worth it I think.
I decide to head out with my camera again to see if I find anything interesting. There are a ton of buskers out this Saturday afternoon and some of them are really talented. A young man is singing opera and he’s outstanding. There’s an elderly woman with thick black eyeliner and bright red lipstick singing Stevie Nicks tunes while a couple waltzes in the street to the melody.
I go to Luini’s for delectable street food comprised of a deep fried pocket of dough filled with mozzarella and tomato. I top it off with a giant lemon custard tart to cleanse the palate.
Back to the apartment to get cleaned up as I’m going to the ballet at the Teatro alla Scala, a well-known 18th century opera house in the heart of Milan. I’ve never been to the ballet so this is a treat. I’m in a box seat with five other people. There are two chairs in the front, two short stools and then two high stools tiered behind. I’m on one of the stools and I maneuver my seat as the curtains open and the orchestra begins to play. The music is brilliant and the stamina and strength of the dancers is astonishing. I love it. What a way to end off my time in Italy with a cultural experience.
A ballet! That’s wonderful!❤️