This weekend Andy and I took a two-day excursion from Chur, Switzerland to Milano Italy, via the Swiss Rail Travel System. On Saturday at 7:29 am we took the Die Post Bus from Passugg to Chur. At 8:10 am we departed from Chur to Bellinzona Stazione via Post. We arrived in Bellinzona Stazione by 9:50 am. At 10:13 am our train departed to Milano. We arrived in Milano Centrale by 11:38 am. Andy and I immediately ran to use the bathrooms; we had to pay 1 Euro each to use a nasty filthy bathroom. After we used the bathroom we sprinted to convert our money into Euros and get a map from the tourist office.

At approximately 12:00pm we found a Mc Donald’s outside the train station and we each ate a Big Mac meal with French fries and a Coke. The food was expensive (14 Euros) – at least it tasted fresh and good. As Andy and I started walking we started feeling good about being in Milano, the streets started looking cleaner and we started seeing museums. We immediately ran into the Natural Art Museum which was fabulous. The museum tour lasted about 25 minutes because we had a lot to do. Following the brief stop at the museum we started feeling like we were in heaven we started walking towards the Piazza del Duomo (main tourist area) in Milano. I felt right at home we ran into several stores (Dolce & Gabbana, Diesel, Calvin Jeans and H&M).

Finally at 2:00pm on this beautiful and sunny day our walking paid off, we had reached the Piazza del Duomo. We were walking in heaven on cobble stone roads. First thing I saw was a train with a big letters across (Custo Barcelona) famous high end fashion designer from Spain. Along with the lettering he had plenty of models in the advertisement for his fall 2009 fashion designs. The colors and the way the models posed were amazing. Once we were in the plaza Andy and I were happy because we felt like we were in the real Milano. We went inside the Escada, Burberry, Max Mara, Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Bulgari and Fendi stores. Unfortunately we weren’t allowed to take pictures inside the stores because of store policy, but I must say that the prices were high but the clothes were flawless; now I know why Milano is considered one of the worlds fashion capitals.

After we exited the front of Duomo we headed to the metro to take a 30 minute train ride to my aunt’s house. We encountered another issue we didn’t know which train would take us to her home. Luckily a Metro employee who saw us struggling came up to us; it was like god sent an angel from heaven to help us. The man spoke perfect Italian but also Spanish because he was born in the Dominican Republic. He helped us buy our metro passes and walked us down to the correct train.

By 6 pm we were at our aunt’s house. I must say I thought I was dreaming when dinner was served. She made amazing pasta with delicious steak, it was by far the best thing I’ve had he whole trip. I got to meet four cousins which I had never met so that was quite fulfilling. It was definitely time for some rest after that great meal.

The next morning I woke up stress free, after all who wouldn’t with the wonderful day I had on Saturday. My aunt had my breakfast ready at 10am. I had white toast (with butter), steamed milk and a coffee cake. Breakfast was delicious and I felt right at home. Once breakfast was completed it was time to get ready and head back to Chur (bummer). At 1pm I left my Aunts house, I became nostalgic because I wanted to spend more time with my family.

Andy and I had (1) latte marchiatto each at the main plaza while we waited for our train to come. At 2:25 pm we boarded on our train, it took us 4 hours to get back to SSTH. Once we reached Chur we were starving, since on Sunday’s Chur has become ghost town the only place open was Cindy’s Dinner. I had an all Americano burger (lettuce, beef, bacon, pickles, onions and mustard), large fries and a medium Coke. The food was delicious I was surprised because Cindy’s burgers taste similar to Johnny Rockets burgers (New York).

I will not lie – over the two days I missed my professors and classmates. Upon entrance at SSTH we were greeted by Prof. Blake-Neis, Dr. Garely, Shevy and Sarah. I was happy to see them it felt like an eternity without seeing them.