Details, details

Yesterday, I went for a several hour walk, mainly in central Milan.

First stop, the incredibly intricate Duomo. It is the 3rd largest church in the world and I believe it! The construction started in 1386....it's hard to wrap my head around the fact that it's that old and still has so many fascinating details. When Napoleon was crowned king in the 19th century, he finished the facade. There are about 3,500 statues of animals, monsters, and saints.

I climbed the bazillion stairs to the rooftop terraces. Sweet view of the city!
I couldn't go inside because I was wearing shorts....that'll be another day.

Above on the left is the 14' gilded Madonna statue.

In the piazza in front of the Duomo is this sculpture with "Ray Ban" behind it. This is a good example of the junxatoposition of the new and old throughout the city.

If I were to get a bicycle here....this would be it!On the right, the Duomo, to the left, the entrance to the famous outdoor mall,
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Now this is a nice view at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Diagonal from Prada is McDonald's. At one of the most prominent store fronts in this infamous promenade. It even has the black background and gold letters. They must do some serious business here!

This is the bull in front of Prada that you must spin, clockwise, on his balls, 3 times for good luck. Of course, I did!

Random giant balloons.

Piazza Fontana (above) was the site of a terrorist attack in 1969. A bomb in a bank killed 16 people:( Not knowing this at the time, I popped a squat on the bench for a little rest.

Via Dante, the pedestrian only street full of outdoor cafes, vendors, and shops.

A pile of pastries...there must have been hundreds of donuts in a heap.
My arteries clogged just looking at them.

This artist made gorgeous roses out of vegetables

I stopped for a quick "beve" here on Via Dante. It's a little hard to see but
the shelves were full of bread sculptures.

Lots of people had their feet soaking in this fountain at the end of Via Dante...
after 3 hours of walking, I was tempted!

The entrance to Castello Sforzesco, an impressive castle now full of museums.

Park Sempione: 47 acres of English style gardens next to the castle. So peaceful!

Locks that lovers leave on the bridges to seal their love for eternity.
Maybe I'm jaded, but I'm not buying it.

One of the little cafe/ stands in the park was selling coconut slices on a fountain. Delish! Also, notice the newly aquired bracelet. At the Duomo, there are oh-so-persistent African men "giving" away these bracelets for "good luck from Africa". If I deny it, does that mean bad luck? I'm a sucker. I was tagged and coughed up 1 Euro.