Buongiorno amici!
I have survived my first week in the city in Milan, but the city put me through a bit of an initiation process even before I got here. After getting on my flight from JFK, I found myself sitting next to a group of girls on their way to Israel to follow a sedentary lifestyle, which was interesting at first until they decided that they were not going to sleep on the overnight flight—meaning I was also not sleeping on the next 8 hours. When I finally landed in Milan the next day after a solid two hours of sleep, I was greeted by only one of my two suitcases, to find out that the other one was placed on a different flight. Finally, once I sorted out where my luggage should be shipped, I hurried to jump on a train and broke my watch as I took off my backpack.
Ti amo, Milano. You have such a great sense of humor.
I have survived my first week in the city in Milan, but the city put me through a bit of an initiation process even before I got here. After getting on my flight from JFK, I found myself sitting next to a group of girls on their way to Israel to follow a sedentary lifestyle, which was interesting at first until they decided that they were not going to sleep on the overnight flight—meaning I was also not sleeping on the next 8 hours. When I finally landed in Milan the next day after a solid two hours of sleep, I was greeted by only one of my two suitcases, to find out that the other one was placed on a different flight. Finally, once I sorted out where my luggage should be shipped, I hurried to jump on a train and broke my watch as I took off my backpack.
Ti amo, Milano. You have such a great sense of humor.
But on a more serious note, I have had such a great time after the first week despite my rough first week. I live in a residential area in an older part of the city. It had a worldly charm since no one in the cafes on the neighboring blocks spoke very much English—which is both a good and bad thing for me. Also, the people of Milan are fueled by concentrated caffeine rather than the energy from carbs, contrary to popular belief. I walk to class in the morning and spend my night going for apertivo with my friends. This past week was orientation and we went to Lago di Guarda and stayed in a hotel with a thermal spa. My program has gone above and beyond any expectation I had before I arrived and I am excited for whatever comes my way next.
I have also been scouting the fashion scene and I can’t tell you how quickly I have had to adjust to the European caliber of the art of dressing oneself. I start my Menswear design class in two weeks and I interview for a position in a showroom on Wednesday. For now, I think I am ascribing to the mock turtleneck and all black look with accenting jewelry but we will see what happens once fashion week come around.
Stay tuned for a review on Milanese street style and food.