Milan - Opera at La Scala

Saturday was our last true day of 'holiday'. We had some packing to do and then caught the metro to a children's opera at La Scala. Duomo square was decorated in hundreds of balloons, fundraising for poorer nations. We weren't sure if the performance, Il Ratto Serraglio Per I Bambini, would go ahead as someone had hung political banners from the building and were threatening to jump. The police had even installed an inflatable jump mat below and brought in a truck with a fire ladder to get them down. As far as we could tell, the protest ended safely. Sophie, Will and I had McDonalds (again) before we left Duomo. That night we went to our favourite local restaurant with both Japanese sushi and Italian food. As a Saturday night, it was packed with locals. John has been very impressed with the combo meal options that allow a choice of sushi plus an Italian dish and I'm hooked on the vegies after too many unhealthy meals in a row. We also had our 'included' drink at the Novotel before going out to dinner. Then, back to our room for some last minute packing before catching a cab to the airport the following morning. I'm back at work on Monday, with some meetings planned at Surrey Uni.

Duomo cathedral -fundraising ballooms

Cakes at Prada

Outside Louis Vuitton 

Waiting for the Opera

Protester on the roof of La Scala

Outside La Scala

Theatre Director? At La Scala

Inside La Scala

The theatre fills

Waiting for the opera to start

The show is about to begin - in Italian

End of the show!

Meet and greet with the performers

Sophie meets her hero

More signatures

With the stars

Sophie meets one of the dancers

Signed programs

Back through the Piazza

Security via police near McDonalds

Reaching our 'home' subway station

A game of table soccer near the pool

The trams add character to the city

Our favourite local restaurant

Linate airport

Glimpses of the UK again! Almost 'home'

Milan - La Scala museum

On Thursday morning we went into the centre of Milan and walked around a small museum within the La Scala (Teatro Alla Scala). Impressive to see artifacts from famous conductors and musicians. Sophie was particularly impressed with the opera costumes. We then picked up pre-booked tickets for a children's opera on Saturday. Strange to find the ticket office under Duomo station, rather than at the opera house. We walked around behind La Scala and out to the main park in Milan where parts of the old walled town remain. We picked up some overpriced lunch - toasted sandwiches - but at least a place with toilets for the kids. After a play in the park, John took Sophie and Will home and I wandered around that part of Milan, eventually catching the subway back into the centre and out to our suburb. The following day we managed to get through a big load of washing at the local laundry mat - no where near the 22kg that the machine could take! Then, we went back into the centre of town. John has found a major city that he actually likes - so, we are making the most of it. The roasted chestnuts were a bit on the burnt/raw side and more of a hit with tourists than locals - but still great fun to try.

Vast number of posters from previous opera

In La Scala museum

The opera house itself

La Scala, with a hive of activity preparing the stage

A chance to sit in the boxes at the back

Inside La Scala museum

La Scala museum

A crystal flute

Watching operas on the screen

Trams outside La Scala

Inside the shopping mall at Duomo

Crazy sculpture

Yet another chocolate shop

Fountain outside the old walled city

Views through the archways in the old walled city

Will wanted to come back tomorrow with his running shoes!

Look! Italian ducks!

Time to unwind in the park

The main athletic club and grounds

Italian and Japanese food at our favourite local resturant

Watching the washing machine go around

Buying roasted chestnuts

Ongoing security at Duomo - modern screen, old cathedral

Trams in our local streets