Ok so my cousin Cristina (first cousin on my Dad's side) is a junior at Bryant University in Rhode Island and is studying abroad in Milan. The last time I’d seen her was in Puerto Rico six years ago! I saw her sisters in 2006 but Cristi was busy traveling. So here we are in Europe studying abroad the same exact semester! What a perfect place to reunite! Although we grew up separately, we’ve grown up so much alike esp. when it comes to music, friends, fashion etc. I love it!
As soon as we saw each other we ran, hugged and screamed a little. We immediately picked up right where we left off and caught up with each other's lives. Cristi and I always got along great as kids because we were the silly, annoying ones that bothered our siblings. Our sisters never wanted to hide with us during hide-n-go-seek cause we couldn’t keep quiet. We were the ones giggling in the middle of the night while the others were trying to sleep. In fact, just last night as we fell asleep in the same twin-sized bed –one by the head, one by the feet just like good ol’ times- we couldn’t shut up. So not much has changed!
Anyway!! I spent one amazing night and two days in Milan (I know, quick trip) with Cristi and her Puerto Rican friends (plus Andrea;). The two girls go to Villanova but are studying in Milan and their three guy friends (two from Villanova and one from BC) visited from Barcelona. But they all live in PR together. I had a blast with them! Especially cause I love hanging out with Puerto Ricans! They’re all about dancing, laughing and having a good time! (left)
So here’s the breakdown of my travel:
3:45 (am) -Picked up by taxi.
4:30 -Coach bus from station to smaller Brussels airport.
6:35 -Flight to Bergamo, Italy (thought of Stasia).
8:45 -Coach bus to Milano Train Station.
10:00 -My cousin and I literally found each other at the train station (we didn’t have each other’s cell #’s –minor detail).
By the way, the people on that RyanAir flight were extremely rowdy. As soon as we were airborne and the pilot took of the seatbelt sign, everyone stood up. I was like wtf, where’s everybody going?! The aisle was packed with people up and about, hanging, laughing, telling jokes. I thought, “C’mon people its 7am and I’m CLEARLY trying to sleep!” Oh and when we landed, it was like a futbol game: Cheers, claps and high-fives all around.
Anyway, Cristi picked me up and was wearing the makeup from the night before haha! We went straight to her apartment and people were passed out everywhere (9 total). It’s a big 2 bedroom apartment with beautiful marble tiled floors, high ceilings, and a balcony stretching from the living room to the bedroom.
As soon as everyone stumbled out of bed, we went out on the town and spent the whole day walking around. First we saw El Duomo (famous cathedral), then made our way to La Via Monte Napoleone: ritziest most elegant street in all of Milan with the most sophisticated designer stores you can think of. Oh and mind you it was Fashion Week so there were models everywhere!!! We walked into so many amazing stores and just dreamt! I was on cloud nine! It made me think of that Monte Napoleon quote: “Who ever said money can't buy happiness simply didn't know where to go shopping!!” –Bo Derek.
She’s so right! Here’s what I fell in love with and would've bought in a heart beat if I had all the $ in the world: Pucci purse and dress, Toywatch watch, Cartier diamond ring, Giuseppe Zanotti shoes for all the women in my family, Fendi pillow, and the lovely Ferrari parked along the street –three of them for my Dad, Brother and Brian ;)
Ok back to reality. After we left heaven we went searching for gelatto! We ended up at the girls’ favorite place by their school. I didn’t want my delicious vanilla/nutella gelatto cone to end. I was tempted to get another but I remained calm.
We went home and took a much-needed nap before going out. I was tired from my all-nighter and they were tired from the rough night. We woke up and off to dinner we went. We shared bread and wine, and I had a delicious plate of gnocchi: pasta stuffed with mashed potatoes (two carbs, not a problem). Then we went back, showered, and pregamed while getting ready. We didn’t leave the apartment until midnight.
We went to Le Banque (pronounced B'oh'NK , not ‘bank’, Cristi lol). Which is the most fabulous, elegant, cleanest club I’ve ever been to. There was a red carpet to get inside and everything… I’m guessing it was there for the models from fashion week. They even had projector screens set up with runway shows playing. I was loving it!
If you’re interested in getting a taste of what this place was like, you MUST take these 360° virtual tours!!!!
Le Banque Foyer/Entrance
Le Banque Bar Area
Le Banque Dance Floor Area
Cristi and I somehow walked straight into VIP without even knowing it and they stopped the others behind us lol. So Cristi and I had a drink and hung out in there for a bit. Then it was straight to the dance floor! I swear, I am the happiest person on earth when I’m on a dance floor! Especially when it’s house or techno. I turn into a hand clappin’, fist pumping, face makin', bootie shakin’ dancing queen! I honestly had the time of my life!!!!
We must have left somewhere around six. We walked to the central part of the area in pursuit of a taxi along with everyone else leaving the clubs.The taxi extravaganza, of literally chasing the taxi’s down, must have taken 45 min to an hour. Four of us finally stopped one and the others hauled another shortly after.
The boys stayed up until their flight and us girls went to bed at sunrise. We woke up at 2pm haha and I had no voice. We had “breakfast” at a cute café a few blocks down and chitchatted until I left for my flight at five.
I fell in love with Milan. It felt like a dream (like my trip to Maui since it was equally as short) but, like Maui, I had the time of my life. It's all about envisioning yourself having a good time and my trip was exactly how imagined it! That group was SO fun and I’ll be meeting up with them again!! =)
Ciao, Italia bela!!!
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