Strolling In Absentia

But I thought you were in Milan. That's Kathy Graham when she sees this title.

Very humorous indeed, Mrs Graham. Anyway, while Bea and Sheelagh were cooking up a storm, I went to do a neighbourhood walk, as described by Rick Steves.

This was the walk of the Brera neighbourhood. It started in the Piazza del Carmine. I intentionally waited my coffee this morning so that I could sit in this Piazza and sip my morning coffee and eat my brioche in this place.

It was idyllic. Being a Sunday, I was feeling a bit odd missing church. So, it was lovely when the strains of the choir, in that church you can see, came wafting to my ears. Having emptied my cup and brushed the crumbs from my shirt, I wandered over and quietly slipped in. What do you know! It was a service in English. So I sat down in a pew and enjoyed the scriptures and the music. 

Next, I took a narrow street along the right side of the church and just enjoyed the very peaceful street scenes.

I stuck with Rick for about 100 meters before I chose my own diversion. A large courtyard with a statue of Napoleon caught my eye and I went in for a look about. It was very impressive and I immediately decided that I needed to come back with Shush and Bea when we can.

The upstairs houses a large art display with 38 rooms showing off Italian artists. 

From that point on I simply following any impulse that overtook me while keeping the general direction of Rick's walk. 

This was the site of an ancient canal where barges moved goods through the city. At this point, they exacted tolls from the bargemen.

Arco Della Pace.Built between 1807 and 1838, in part using money given by Napoleon. 

This part of the city rather displays a tension between the old and the new, as you can see. 

At this point, the temperature was rising and the street was getting harder on my new shoes and so I worked my way back to catch the good old #19 trolly to home. A very pleasant experience.