7/22 -- Milan and Venice

We had just a few hours in Milan so we stored our luggage and then took the subway to the Duomo (cathedral), and we had booked a tour called Duomo Detectives, designed to teach kids about the architecture.  Outside the Duomo, Julia was taken with all the pigeons and a stranger gave her bird food to hold in her hand so the pigeons would fly to her.  This prompted many, many jokes about the pigeon not being allowed to drive the bus (which in turn prompted an eye roll and a groan from Russell for each joke).  Unfortunately, the long travel day with little sleep and food took a toll on Owen and he woke up feeling sick.  We still did the tour but were distracted by Owen (and me with him) having to run back outside to vomit into garbage cans a few times.  Nevertheless, the Duomo was incredible.  The marble carvings and the stained glass were beautiful and on such a grand scale I can’t even imagine how long it must have taken.  We planned to go to the roof, but Owen wasn’t up to it so Jourdan and Russell went while Owen, Julia and I sat on a curb in the shade.  (Did I mention it was hot?  It was hot!  It was 35 C = 95 F when we started the tour at 9:30 am.). When Jourdan and Russell were done, we grabbed some lunch which finally made Owen feel better; Russell also threw up once while we were waiting for lunch — these kids just aren’t accustomed to the no sleep, party lifestyle (there aint no party like a Duomo party 'cuz a Duomo party don't stop).  Then we got our luggage and went to the train station to board the train to Venice.  While waiting there, we had our first gelato of the trip.  It most definitely won’t be the last.


Venice.  Wow.
Arriving here this evening — with 3 kids who napped on the train and 0 kids who were still throwing up and everyone in good spirits — felt like our vacation had really, finally begun.  Walking through the streets to our hotel/apartment, I was almost overcome with emotion from being in this magical place.


After settling into the apartment, we set out for dinner.  We ate at a small place at which the host had helped us find our apartment as we walked past earlier.  The food was delicious (I had sea bass ravioli.  When Julia declared she had decided what she wanted, she said “pasta”).  After dinner we took an evening gondola ride.  It was so relaxing and after getting little sleep in 2 days, I nearly dozed off.  After the gondola, more gelato, then bed.




Outside the Milan Duomo


Julia and the pigeons (who didn't get to drive the bus)




This sculpture was considered groundbreaking for its depiction of the musculoskeletal system





Sights from inside the Duomo






On the Duomo's roof





Gondola ride


Gelato!

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