Genova, Voghera, Pavia and Milano

Head to Milan, Italy by SNCF Direct. Finally, after 6 weeks of travel in France, we managed to say “Goodbye”. Five hours trip, passed by several small towns, mostly tunnels and Mediterranean Sea view up to Genova. After that, the train head north, the sea disappeared and flat surface appears. Especially the town called “Voghera” is just like Manitoba, FLAT! Nothing but plains….Old buildings with no roofs, blown out windows..... Run-down old churches, stables, icy-roads and icy fields. These sceneries remind me of the movie “Schindlers’ List”.
“Pavia” is more of like “old industrial town”, because there are several abandoned old factories, rubber trees, Agricultural fields, new factories, new buildings with security cameras, Layla Cosmetics, AMSA, old-track and filed stadium, etc… One thing common with France is “Santa” hanging on the balconies.

MILANO – The Central train-station, 1925-31, “Stazione Centrale F.S” is grander than churches in France. It’s a mixture of nouveau and eclectic styles, full of decorative sculptures which contrast with the stark metal roofs of the interior. It connects to all major cities in Europe. The most recent building is the “Tetro degli Arcimboldi”, designed by Gregotti and inaugurated in January 2002. The curved astrological symbols are part of the station walls. Milan city is greyer than France, but similar to Amsterdam. The air is not that bad compare to Paris. Paris was suffocating. Vibe? It’s a “happy-town” with more free atmosphere and party mood. I like it!
After a couple of hours navigating… we settled at “Hotel Aurelia”, rated 2 stars, and clean but not very good service. They asked for CASH plus no receipts given. I told them, “I don’t know any travelers who carry CASH”.
Anyhow- we decided to look for another Hotel the next day.

Our 1st EVENNING in Milan - We decided to have a good “Italian” dinner. Walked around town and end up at “La Colubrina”, a lean-and-mean Authentic Italian Restorante. Started off with pachutos, tiny-omelets with red-wine, followed by pasta and then stake. I had ½ liter of white-wine and Raymond had Beer. Everything is “Aldaunte” and it’s so… good, NEVER tasted a good Italian food until now. Everything is “Aldaunte” that it’s so pissing crazy. We looked at each other and oh… boy we sure are going back for the pasta at least. It’s only Euro 40 for the amount of food we ate. The pasta alone is only Euro 6.00. Great food!!