Two-fer: Milan and Paris

Still revering from my post-marathon in Rome, with small aches and pains, I came back to Luxembourg for a couple days of work. I made a small attempt at a 5km run but had some persisting right quad and left heel pain so took a couple more days off from running. Which was a good thing as I had a busy weekend heading back to Italy, but this time Milan and then end the weekend in Paris to watch Julien run in the Paris Marathon.

The Milan trip was purely for pleasure. I had bought a ticket for my 82nd show of seeing Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds back in October. They were returning to Europe after a 10-year hiatus. This trip was planned even before I knew I was running in Rome. I was so looking forward to this, almost as a reward following my race, some R&R with wine, limoncello, music and touring a new city.

Milan is a small but lively city. I stayed at a small B&B Bicocca located a mile from the theater Dave was playing at and a quick metro ride to the center of the city. Being back in Italy meant amazing food…again! I arrived Thursday evening and after checking into the hotel I made my way towards a pizzeria a few minutes walk away. That night I went to bed fairly early falling asleep to Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why. The next day was the show and I couldn’t sleep due to all my excitement. I got up early and ran to the center of the city (5km away). The early bird does catch the worm because I got the Piazza Duomo, where the Cathedral and Galleria are, pretty much to myself besides a few other runners and some photographers catching the sunrise.

From there I walked through the shopping centers and made my way towards Castle Sforza that led to a beautiful park.

After walking through, I made my way another 2km towards Cimitero Monumentale Di Milano. This cemetery is famous for its outlandish sculptures. It was peaceful and quiet when I first arrived when it opened at 8am and was happy to not have missed this Garden of Remembrance.

I saw most of Milan before 10am! I was able to get back to the hotel and nap and shower and then head out for lunch. I went back towards Piazza Duomo and found the 7th floor of La Rinascente, a designer department store next to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. I had an outdoor view of the Cathedral while I snacked on Mozzarella, Italian ham, and sipping of Aperol Spritz.

I still had time before the Dave and Tim show, so I read that one must take the tour on the roof of the Cathedral. I paid 9€ and chose to take the stair and got a panoramic view of Milan.

After seeing most of the city, I was ready for the concert! I had found an Italian fan-based group that was having a pre-show meet up and then met a few other Americans traveling and touring the Europe shows. The night was magical and I got a setlist and guitar pick from Tim 😍

After a memorable few days in Milan, I jet-setted to Paris. We had little time for touring, and I jokingly say I’m not a tourist anymore, but I am still!! The main reason was to watch Julien run the marathon. I mentioned in an earlier blog his goal was to achieve a sub-4hr run. Well, I’m proud to announce all his hard work paid off! He finished at 3:40:59. I’m so happy for him!!