110724 Milano Bucharest

Being busy is a very good thing, especially in this day and age of difficult economic conditions.  I am very thankful for having a third opportunity to go to Europe - this time to Milano, Italy, and Bucharest, Romania. 

My departure from Orlando International Airport was delayed by a severe weather system over the mid Atlantic states.  In flight, the pilot had to make circles, waiting for the storm to dissipate.  My two hours lay-over in Newark Liberty International Airport dwindled down to one.  Don't ever believe anyone, including airline employees, that such a storm would affect every flight equally.  I hurried from one end of the terminal to the other end.  My flight for Milano, Italy, was departing ON TIME.

Orlando International Airport, Florida.

Milano welcomed me with warm summer weather.  My first week in this beautiful city was spent at the local office of my company.  To fully appreciate Milano, one would need more than a weekend.  But that was all the time I had.

The Duomo is an exquisite structure; it was the main cathedral of the city.  Building this massive church took many centuries to complete.  The inside of the Duomo is cavernous, containing numerous large stained glass windows, paintings and statues of saints and scenes from the Bible.  While photography was allowed inside the Duomo, the use of a tripod was not.  This policy made taking pictures in such low light quite challenging.

Duomo di Milano.

Inside of Duomo di Milano.

Stained glass window in Duomo di Milano.

While the inside of the Duomo is amazing, the rooftop of this church is just as impressive.  One can access the roof by climbing stairs or by riding elevators.  The art work on the flying buttresses, the outside walls and the terraces is simply fantastic.  To think stones were cut and shaped, in the old days, without modern machinery added to my sense of wonderment. 

 

View from the rooftop of the Duomo di Milano.

Walkway along the roof of the Duomo di Milano.

Bulletin boards on the roof of the Duomo revealed this magnificent structure is in constant need of renovation, because of the incessant pollution by humans and pigeons.  There will always be at least one section of the Duomo hidden by scaffolds.

All around the Duomo di Milano are many shopping centers - a shoppers' paradise - and large numbers of restaurants.  The most famous shopping center is the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, considered to be the ancestor of today's shopping mall.  Many haute-couture and luxury goods companies, such as Prada, have their headquarters or major stores in or near this Galleria.  Even the McDonald's fast food restaurant there was fancy, with two thirds of its counter dedicated to delicious Italian coffees and pastries.

Entrance to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

Inside of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

A tribute to the Italian fashion industry.

Near the center of the Galleria is the coat of arms of Torino (Turin), which has the picture of a bull.  According to the Milanese people, some tourists started the tradition of "crushing" the bull by rotating on one's heel.  These actions damaged to this emblem.  Attempts to discourage this practice and repair this coat of arms were futile.

Coat of arms of Torino, damaged by tourists.

Milano is more than its Duomo and Galleria.  But my time in this wonderful city was limited to a weekend.  After all, I was sent there for business on behalf of my employer.  After a second week working at the local office, I flew to București  (Bucharest), Romania, for another assignment for my company.

Arcul de Triumf in Bucharest, Romania.

Palatul Parlamentului in Bucharest, Romania.

The Lipscani district, which is the center of Bucharest with its many shops and restaurants, is a pedestrian centric area.  It was being refurbished.  Many of its streets were torn up and being repaved.  I could only imagine how nice this area would be at the completion of the renovation.

After completing by business duties, I planned to visit the Muzeul Satului, an open-air museum showcasing the Romanian life before modern times.  I had hope to learn more about the Romanian people and their culture.  Unfortunately, rainy weather set in.  I could only managed a few shots, in between showers.

Old style dwelling at the Muzeul Satului in Bucharest, Romania.

Then began my journey home with lay-overs in Munich, Germany, and Washington DC.

Truly, I am very thankful for all the wondrous opportunities given to me this year.  I am indeed very lucky.  More pictures, placed in somewhat chronological order, are posted at https://picasaweb.google.com/108013863525571472697/110724MilanoBucharest.  As usual, I request your comments and critiques in hope of improving my photographic and blogging skills.

Thank you,
Paul