TGIF

My Friday consisted of this:

Woke up a little before 9 am. Got dressed, at 9:30 am went downstairs where my knight in shining armor was waiting for me on his white horse.. and by white horse I mean scooter and by armor I mean helmet. The 2 of us drive to Stazione Centrale; this weekend we're going to visit Anais in Lyon and we had to buy train tickets. With 2 round-trip tickets from Milan to Lyon totaling close to 300 € we decided we'll drive it instead.
Leaving the train station we head over to my favorite bar to have an Italian breakfast of café macchiato, or an espresso stained with just the foam of a cappuccino.
After breakfast we split up, with an embrace, a smile, and a "buona giornata." He buzzes off on the scooter and I hop on the metro to head down to the Porta Genova area to make a stop at the best enoteca I know around here, Bottega del Vino. This store is filled with so many delicious wines, some of which I have the pleasure of recognizing with fond memory. I pick up 3 bottles: a Pinot Grigio by Livio Felluga, a Nebbiolo by Pio Cesare, and a Barolo. A sign behind the register read "Compri 2 bottiglie di vino e ti regaliamo un bicchiere gratis" or buy two bottles of wine and we'll give you a free wine glass. I walk out of the enoteca with my bag of treasures, 3 bottles of exquisite wine and the free glass.
Walking up Corso Genova I reach Oasi del Gelato and I can't help but to go in and get an ice cream. Today was one of those lovely late summer days; still warm enough to wear a summer dress and walk around eating an ice cream cone. Today it was lemon and raspberry.
I continue to walk towards the center of town, stopping when I reach Chiesa Santa Maria Presso di San Satiro. A few weeks ago I was told by a Milanese friend that there is an architectural secret inside this church which lies behind a gate, hidden on a small side street off the busy Via Torino. Apparently it only catches your eye as you walk up the central aisle of the church. Curious as I was I asked him not to tell me the secret, I wanted to discover it on my own. Seems as though today wasn't the day though; the sign outside the church told me it was closed, I had come right in the middle of their modest 11:30 am to 3:30 pm (Italian-style) lunch break.
I passed Piazza Duomo, quickly glancing at the magnificent cathedral but not venturing into the tourist-filled Piazza itself. Tram 1 came clunking down the street, I got on and was on my way home. Made a quick lunch of a frittata and insalata caprese, hopped on my bike, and headed down to l'Università di Politecnico where I had a meeting in the afternoon.

And that was my Milanese Friday.