So what to do, well we found out that the orchestra where going to still perform, and we could go and listen to them for free, and so get our money back on the tickets, not all lost. As the concert was at La Scala, and as it happened we had great seats in the front of a box, they played the baroque music for an hour or so, and it was great to see La Scala.
On the first day of our arrival we went around to a few furniture stores to see what they had, and l must say Italian furniture is the best. There are some amazing clothing strips amongst the fine restaurants and bars.
Milan has never interested me, l have been there twice before, and l found it always boring and routine and very busy. This time as l was not here for just the day , l found it much like Melbourne, good restaurants of an international flavour, well dressed people, and though most of Italy is, they have a more stylish and self confident feeling, as Bolognese are more like sheep. It rained a bit, and the traffic leaving was terrible. Maybe the size is similiar in some respects and of course they have the trams. But you notice the difference once you return to Bologna which is much more provincial .
That night we saw the concert and had a very late desert and drink on the way home, after a small snack before the show, which cost a fortune. The next day we had tickets booked to see The Last Supper, and it was wonderful to see and not a disappointment. We got the tickets for 8.50 each, and that gets you entry only. Most sites tell you you have to go on a tour for 2 hours and it costs 40 euro, we saw it in a window time of 15 minutes, which everyone is only allowed, and that was plenty. So unless you want a tour of the church and surrounds , pay the 8.50.
The church Santa Maria delle Grazie, which houses the picture is well worth seeing, and in the courtyard area there is some information on the picture and history. At one point the room where the picture is was used as a fire station and another time,stables, and of course some genius decided to place a door entrance below it, cutting into the picture. But it looks very good, and on the opposite back wall is another picture painted in the fresco manner, unlike Da Vinci painting his with oil based paint. And though the other is a fine picture, in particular for its size, it looks flat and soso compared to Da Vinci's.
After that we had a great meal at Eataly, and travelled around either by foot or subway, which is well organized and easy, much like Melbourne circle line.
We left late afternoon, and it took nearly an hour to get out of Milan by car, something l gather is very similiar to Melbourne now. Maybe we should go back to Milan before we leave to acclimatise ourselves. Apparentaly Melbourne, Milan and also Boston are sister cities, and that makes sense!!
The boys were looked after by Caterina, who they get along with very well, though Hunty is not sure about her cooking, especially making ice-cream!, and apparently putting mayonaisse in lasagna.
Otherwise lately we have been slowly preparing to leave, Jayne has been talking to the removalist groups, and its hard to get a definate answer on things, we are going to get a 20 foot container, and so now we are getting rid, selling, gifting items that we have accumulated over the past 4-5 years.
I feel l am unconsciencely preparing myself for the move, and am slowly now looking forward to going in some way, and want it to come quicker, being in no mans land is not comfortable. I am not doing a lot of work in the studio, l have a final show planned for the 28th November. And after that l pack everything up, and get it ready to be sent back. The following week we go to London for a week, and so that leaves little time to get things done.
We had a lovely meal at Dino and Christina's house on the weekend, and they gave us a incredible terra cotta staue scene of christmas in the religious sense. Most kind, and somehting we will always remember them by. The following day we had lunch in the hills near a town called Brento, Monzuno with Florence and Antonio and their two children, Lucia, Elisabetta. We first went for an hour walk in the hills along a goat track, that actually many people walk along, and that created a huge hunger , for the restaurant (Trattoria Monte Adone) where as usual we ate well and for little.
And this may be the way it is from now on, as we say good bye to our friends.
Hunter and Ewan are doing fine at school though Ewan is aware that maybe he does not have to worry about his marks. Or it may be the fact that they are turning 13 on the weekend.
I did a talk to two classes in their year last week, and today l talk to the other two classes, Today is Hunters class, and last week was Ewans, and they are supposed to help translate to the class what l talk about regarding my art. Ewan spoke very little, leaving it up to the teachers, but Hunter has been more concerned about it all and infact looked up the Italian words for some of my art language. Apparently the kids get it, though l dont think i'm brilliant at talking to kids about art.
Jayne at La Scala
