Museo Scienza

I recently visited Museo Scienza in Milan Italy. It was a very interesting experience, and I learned a bunch of things on a bunch of different subjects. There was a space section, a food section, and a vehicle section, and a few others.

The space section had interactive games where you could dress an astronaut, do puzzles, etc. There were real spacesuits, and a recording of president Nixon talking to Neil Armstrong when Armstrong was on the moon, with video. I had a lot of fun there, and using an interactive game, built space shuttles that were futuristic, and worked.

The food section had information on nutrition, and what is best to eat. It had another interactive machine where you could take a picture of yourself, and put your thoughts on food in the future. When I was walking through this section, I saw real labs to the sides. This section had stuff about fruit, grains, dairy, protein, all sorts of things.

The vehicle section was different, as there were some old cars you could look at. They were quite nice, but what really sparked my interest was that when you walked outside there was a submarine. It was an Italian submarine that had survived WWII. I kept walking and went inside a building with planes, helicopters, and the hull of a ship. There was a place where you could get inside a helicopter cockpit, and see where your helicopter was going. That was cool. When I went inside the hull of the cruise ship, I was a little shaky because it felt like you were on the boat. There was a full ship with masts deeper down in the floor, but it wasn't open to the public.

This museum was pretty fun, and very educational. I would recommend.
-S.Galo


** European Union laws require me to give European Union visitors information about cookies used on your blog. In many cases, these laws also require me to obtain consent. Continued reading of this blog means you give your consent. Google's use of certain Blogger and Google cookies, including use of Google Analytics and AdSense cookies are mandatory by Italian law. **

American Traveler or American Tourist - Who Are You?

For those who don't travel much, there's a distinction between the American traveler and the American tourist. You can see the tourist from a mile away. They are the ones who clearly doesn't fit into the culture, the people, their surroundings... and they don't care to. Americans, well known across the world for being loud, our unmannerly ways and generally going without much style are especially obvious when dressed as the tourist: in their college sweatshirts, flowered prints, or wearing their American flag, sporting their ball cap or their sneakers with white socks (when they clearly are not planning to exercise) and the girls... American girls seem to wear a uniform: jeans or pants that are not pants (leggings), a long blouse and tall boots. You might see girls in Europe dressed similarly but, trust me, they are not dressed the same.

If you're dressed like these folks while you're overseas, you're doing it wrong.
(J-Nellie, cc by, via flickr)

Now, there's nothing wrong with school pride. There's nothing wrong with American pride. But do you have to be so prideful, you wear it like a walking billboard in other countries? Our lack of fashion sense is no surprise to non-Americans (though many will give a nod and a pass to those coming from New York, as they see the effort - and New York fashion sometimes even works well in other parts of the world). But for those of us from Texas or California, decked out in our t-shirts and jeans? We just look like we left grade school and never learned how to dress as an adult. Truth, my friends. Truth. You don't have to like it. That's just how the rest of the world thinks.

Anyone can take pictures. But, brightly colored hats
 and jackets will give you away as an American, too.
At best, they may take you for a Brit at first.
(Li Galo) 

Those in Europe are generally too respectful to tell any of this to your face. They will be kind to you and treat you well, while later shaking their heads at your super-positivism and fierce ability to clap and cheer all time. Or, they'll tell jokes (after you've left) about how you behaved at the dinner table or how loud you were, quietly chuckling over dinner about their quaint story of you. You'll become a funny antidote they pull our for their friends at meal time. Then, they'll wave it way,as they carry on to new topics... "Americans."

Black, grey, browns, dark blues... The standard winter colors of Europe.
I had someone come up to me in Switzerland shortly after this picture was
 taken and start speaking to me in Swiss German. Didn't they notice the pink?
(Li Galo)

Having now lived in Italy and visited nearby countries, I must have at some point made the cross over from tourist to traveler because now, whenever I travel, people stop me and think I'm one of them. They'll speak to me in French or Italian asking for directions or whatnot without skipping a beat, and then appear quite surprised when I respond (in their language, of course), "I'm sorry. I don't know. I'm an American." Apparently, I now do what travelers do... I fit in. I fit in with my clothes, my walk, my expressions and my presentation.

Generally, I am taken for a resident of Europe every couple of days. At this point, it doesn't even matter which country I'm in. Although every country in Europe has it's own culture, distinct flavor and slight difference in clothing style, there is commonality in behavior. So, if you're close to the style and you have the mannerisms down, they'll just think you're one of them. The skill of fitting in has its advantages, if Americans are traveling in regions where they are possible terrorist targets and want to stay low on the radar. I have generally gotten away as appearing as a Filipina in the Middle East and most people in Western Europe take me for an Italian... that is, until I speak. So, if you're trying to be inconspicuous, look the part, walk the walk and keep quiet until you're in a safer place.

Not including dangerous areas where Americans could be in danger, when you travel to some places outside the US, and folks find out you're an American, they are already so overrun with American tourists, on the E.S.P. level, you can hear their mind saying, "Go home, please." But, in areas that aren't overrun by our folks sporting loud shirts, smiling brightly at everyone and laughing just a little too loudly, the folks are fairly curious about Americans. Some are intrigued enough to ask many questions. Where should they visit in the US? What should they see? Where am I from? I wasn't actually raised where I live? How novel! Then, you (without puffing your chest out too much) get to boast on your country and they love it.

Granted, it did take some real effort to learn to eat slowly. Frankly, I'm sometimes still challenged to take the usual one hour to eat a meal I could inhale in ten minutes and, once in a while, I do slip up, eating like a champion American. I can represent with the best! Further, I don't think I'll ever quite be able to do what some of them do - take two hours to eat a meal. Also, please don't tip. The only people that encourage that in Europe are the ones trying to rip you off at restaurants near tourist traps. Europeans do not tip. In fact, it can be taken as an insult if you tip them. They are paid well (far better than our waiters) and they generally won't even get to keep the tip money. (The management does.) You're not in Kansas, anymore. As the saying goes, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."

Try not to stuff your face as an American.
(Li Galo)

If you decided to travel at length, as I have in the Middle East, the Far East and now in Europe, prepare yourself to miss burgers. I mean, they try... All over the world, other people really do try to make our American burgers the way we do. But, they fail. They just do. You just won't get a decent burger until you're back on US soil. It's the way we try to make pizza in the US and fail. Or the way we try to get Chinese food right and fail. It's just not the same as they make it. Well, guess what? Other people can't get our burgers right either. It just is what it is. But, I'll tell you this much. As soon as my feet hit the soil of America, I'm headed to the first burger joint I can find, going to laugh as loud as I want, and I'm going to switch out my blouse and slacks for some good ol' t-shirt and jeans... white socks optional.

- Li Galo



** European Union laws require me to give European Union visitors information about cookies used on your blog. In many cases, these laws also require me to obtain consent. Continued reading of this blog means you give your consent. Google's use of certain Blogger and Google cookies, including use of Google Analytics and AdSense cookies are mandatory by Italian law. **

La Scala Museum

Roderick Eime, cc by, via Flickr

We visited the La Scala Museum recently, and it was a blast! The museum houses some of Verdi's personal belongings, and it is an active theater house as well.  The theater has been around since 1778, and it was originally known as New Royal-Ducal Theatre alla Scala.  It can seat 2,800 people, and it opened on August 3rd, 1778. The museum has 11 floors, and each floor is different. One one floor, there was a piano from 1883 that is still perfectly tuned, and it is played on special occasions.

On our way to La Scala, we actually got lost two times, but we finally found it the third time. Third time's the charm!  The reason we were lost is because the museum entrance is tucked away between La Scala Theater Shop and a restaurant. If you're looking for the entrance at La Scala Theater, you're two doors away!

The actual theater is impressive. You are allowed to view the theater from the box seat during the self-guided tour of the museum, as long as there are no performances happening. Verdi had his operas here in La Scala, and people loved them. His first opera, Oberto, was performed here in La Scala. It was a great success. Soon after, his wife and children died. He became very sad. There are a number of his portraits in this museum as well. This museum is located near Duomo.  It is a inexpensive one, which is an economic choice for those who don't want to spend too much.

According to Teatro alla Scala, "Giuseppe Piermarini, here in the portrait by Martino Knoller, is the architect of La Scala. When the Teatro Ducale burnt in 1776, inside the Palazzo di Corte, in Piazza del Duomo, he had been working in Milan for some years. The painting shows him with in his hands one of his work instruments, the compass. In this period Piermarini was at his busiest in Milan, involved as he was in the construction not only of the Royal Palace and Teatro Grande alla Scala, inaugurated in 1778, but also of the successively renamed Teatro Lirico, the Palazzo Belgioioso and the Villa Reale in Monza, besides restructuring the Brera courtyard. In designing Milan’s new theatre, top-most in Piermarini’s mind were considerations of maximum functionality, with the definition of accessory spaces for workshops, lunch and games rooms, and bathrooms, as well as a state-of-the art technology for the stage. The innovative choice of horseshoe-shaped hall was considered at the time to be the best for acoustics."

Photo By Spixey, cc by, via Flickr

-Emilio Galo

Enjoying Carnival in Venice, Italy

We had a terrific time enjoying Carnival in Venice. We're soon to enjoy it in Milan as well. Each city has a different flavor of "Carnivale" and Venice did not disappoint. Enjoy this video diary of our visit there.

When we arrived, many were in full costumes.

(L. Galo)

(Li Galo)

Street statues and other street artists are seen.
(L. Galo)

Me and a new friend! (L. Galo)

Venice is not complete without a ride in a gondola on the open water.

Solina in disguise. (L. Galo

                                       Emilio and Cristiana                      Me and Solina
                                               (Li Galo)                                  (Li Galo)


Be sure to visit Piazza San Marco (San Marco Square) - a highlight! When we arrived, there was free live opera being sung on a stage.

(L. Galo)

Some funky folks lined up with the kids in San Marco Square.

(L. Galo)

- Li Galo

Venice, Italy

Grand Canal, Venice, Italy (Li Galo)

We recently went to Venice, Italy via Tren Italia. Venice is a city that was built on marshland, about 600 years ago, to protect it from attacks from other countries. Originally, it was on land, but attackers kept destroying the city. It is slowly sinking one inch every year. But that has not stopped Venicians from living there. Venice was not part of Italy until 1866. There are concerns about the city flooding, so a plan has been made to stop the water from rising. The plan is to install floodgates around the city, so that way, the amount of water coming in and out can be controlled. Find more information here: http://news.discovery.com/earth/weather-extreme-events/moses-parts-water-in-venice-floodgates-test-131015.htm

Carnivale Costumes (Li Galo)

While we were in Venice, we decided to take a gondola ride down the Grand Canal. The streets are so narrow, that sometimes the boats end up in a traffic jam. The gondolas cost about 80 euro for 5 people, and it is a great way to see the city via water. They also offer night boat rides for 100 euro.

Gondolas (Li Galo)

Venice from the train (Li Galo)

Venice, Italy (Li Galo)

Piazza San Marco (Li Galo)

** European Union laws require me to give European Union visitors information about cookies used on your blog. In many cases, these laws also require me to obtain consent. Continued reading of this blog means you give your consent. Google's use of certain Blogger and Google cookies, including use of Google Analytics and AdSense cookies are mandatory by Italian law.

-Emilio Galo

A Trip to Lugano, Switzerland

Lugano is a Swiss town with Italian speakers, just north of Italy. We spent a day together in Lugano, along a lovely lake on a sunny but crisp winter morning, visiting the lakeside and the art before bidding farewell on our way back to Milan, Italy. Here is a photo journal of our day!

The Swiss like stairs, too! Stairs are everywhere in Europe!
Cristiana on the stairs.
(Li Galo)

We thought these funky street chairs were cool. Here's Solina.
(Li Galo)

We visited the museum called In Ticino but no pictures are allowed inside.
(Li Galo)

Oh, happy child!
(Li Galo)

We enjoyed a snack along the lake. Here's Emilio.
(Li Galo)

A picture of me bundled up against the cold.
(Li Galo)

Cristiana on the streets of Switzerland.
(Li Galo)

Watch out. Switzerland is expensive. These snacks cost us about $14 USD.
(Li Galo)

- Li Galo

** European Union laws require me to give European Union visitors information about cookies used on your blog. In many cases, these laws also require me to obtain consent. Google's use of certain Blogger and Google cookies, including use of Google Analytics and AdSense cookies are mandatory. Continued reading of this blog equates to your consent.

The Louvre in Paris, France

On my family's visit to the Louvre, the amount of art in the museum was amazing. The art ranges from French sculpture art to modern art, and there is much more. The Louvre was established in 1792, and it is one of the world's largest museums, and a historic monument. The Mona Lisa, painted by Leonardo Da Vinci, is housed behind bulletproof glass, and surrounded by guards, to prevent it from being stolen. There are other famous paintings by Leonardo Da Vinci, such as the Last Supper, which is his only surviving mural. 

(The Deer and the Hunter) -Emilio Galo

Before the Louvre became a museum, it had been around since the 12th century, when it was a palace to kings and queens residing in Paris. During the French Revolution, the art that belonged to King Louis was put into safe keeping, to prevent it from being destroyed by vandals. It is one of the special collections from that time. There are some remaining sections from the castles original foundation in the mall surrounding the Louvre. During Napoleons time in Paris, he had an addition built on to the palace, which was known as the Napoleon Apartments. The rooms were grand, and Napoleon's throne room was in one of the many rooms. His bed was so small that he forbade anyone to see it, including his wife.

Hercules Battling the Hydra-(Li Galo)

. 

 According to History Channel: 
One hundred and thirty years later, as another grand army swept across Europe (this time in the direction of France), conservators at the Louvre began to hastily prepare for the evacuation of tens of thousands of pieces of art. The first to go: The Mona Lisa, followed quickly by every valuable (or moveable) work. A caravan of more than three dozen trucks headed into the French countryside, shepherding the priceless works to safety in a series of private chateaus. After the German occupation of Paris, Nazi officials ordered the Louvre to reopen. It was an empty gesture, literally: The barren walls and ghostly corridors were now home only to those sculptures that had been too difficult to move (and even those that remained had been covered up by heavy burlap bags).

The Napoleon Apartments-(Emilio Galo)

With no artwork to display, the Nazis decided to commandeer part of the museum as a clearinghouse to catalogue, package and ship art and personal items confiscated from wealthy French (primarily Jewish) families back to Germany. Known as the Louvre sequestration, it eventually took over six massive rooms in the museum, but it wasn’t the largest art theft operation in Paris during World War II. Under the command of Herman Goering, the nearby Jeu de Paume museum processed thousands of confiscated masterpieces. Many of them were earmarked for the personal collections of the Nazi high command, while those works deemed morally degenerate (including works by Picasso and Salvador Dalí) were sold to non-German collectors, or eventually burned in a pubic bonfire at the Jeu de Paume in 1942. Thanks to an intrepid curator who served as a double agent during the plundering, many of the pieces that passed through the Jeu de Paume were eventually recovered. The Louvre, which had resisted working with the Nazis, was less successful in repatriating its lost artwork. More than 70 years after the Nazis marched into Paris, the museum continues to come under fire for its role in the greatest cultural theft in history and its reluctance to return contested artwork.

This museum is a must see if you are travelling to Paris for a  few days, and you will enjoy the art that is in the museum, and the experience will be remembered for a lifetime.

-Emilio Galo

** European Union laws require me to give European Union visitors information about cookies used on your blog. In many cases, these laws also require me to obtain consent. Google's use of certain Blogger and Google cookies, including use of Google Analytics and AdSense cookies are mandatory

Commuter Trains, Subway Trains and Traditional Trains of Europe

One of the unique aspects of life in Europe's major cities is the presence of an excellent transportation system, making the use of a car unessential to life and replacing it with the train. With a commuter train passing every few minutes underground and street trains, or trams running every few minutes above grounds (along with connecting buses and ferries in major coastal cities), there really is no need at all to concern oneself with the time at which a subway or tram will arrive.

Train Station in Venice, Italy (Li Galo)

If you are within one city, there are regional passes, good for the area you are in. If you wish to travel by larger, traditional trains to other major destinations, that is easily possible. You can purchase your ticket online and show your online bar code (a square box the conductor scans to verify you paid) by just showing it on the screen of your telephone. Alternately, you can visit any number of travel agents who will purchase the tickets and print them for you - for a fee! You'll often see people buying traditional train tickets at automated machines, giving instructions in multiple languages. The trick, in the latter case, is to avoid those pickpockets lurking around the machines. For this reason, many train stations employ security guards to stand near the machines - but they aren't always present and with the presence of several machines, they can't have their eyes everywhere at once.

Let reason be your guide as to which choice you make in the procurement of your ticket. But no matter which way you pay for your fare, be sure to either have the print out with bar code or download the bar code to your phone (particularly important in the event you can't get wifi or data on your phone, as sometimes is the case depending on which station you are at). Ultimately, you can get on a train and pay on-board but do expect to pay handsomely for the privilege of doing so. In general, the longer you wait to pay anyhow, the more you will pay overall.

Cristiana and me on the train to Switzerland (Li Galo)

Be forewarned, friends! The trains not only depart on time but sometimes, they depart early. Departing early is considered a benefit to the passenger - a plus! They would look at you funny if you were upset about that! Of course, to an American, such as myself, that is not seen as a courtesy to the passenger, but a violation of the agreement that the train will at least be there until the posted time of departure but... news flash, fellow American... When in Rome, do as the Romans do!

On overnight trains, consider getting a private berth or cabin.
Not only will you be safer in a locked room, you'll be able to rock out,
like Solina is here on the top bunk bed, without disturbing others.
In this pic, we are on a train departing from Paris.
(Li Galo).

I find it now a little humorous, though I was initially shocked by trains departing early, that the platform upon which you are to board is not even announced on their massive digital arrival/departure boards until about 10 minutes before said departure time (that may not be honored, with them pulling away a few minutes early and all), and the entire act of avoiding the pickpockets (now I can usually spot them).

Milano Centrale - Train Station in Milan, Italy (Li Galo)

If you want to avoid pickpockets, keep your purse zipped up and in front of you with your hand on it, too. Keep a lock on your backpack or travel bag. The pickpockets near underground commuter trains (subways) hang out on the platform or on the stairwells (following you) but rarely get on the train. Their idea is to rob you and walk away as the doors to the subway close or just pass you on the stairs after robbing you.

However, if you are exiting a traditional train platform, the pickpockets are not in the boarding area because of the presence of police. In that case, they will be waiting for you where passengers exit the train station or train platform area. They will walk up to you to "help" you with your luggage. Hang on to your luggage! Keep walking! A small girl will appear needing "help." Keep walking! If that small girl needed so much help, why didn't she approach the large number of police and militia standing near the train station entrance? (Trust me, there are plenty of police figures around to help a little girl in those places.) Know that the little girl scam is a common one. Pickpockets don't travel alone. The robber needs a look out for police. Often, a third or fourth partner in crime participates to provide a distraction to the person being robbed.

Traditional trains often have dining cars where one can enjoy an on-board snack.
(Li Galo)

Keep yourself aware and don't be too alarmed. Criminals in most of Europe are not violent in nature. They are criminals of convenience. If you're clueless and an easy target, they just want to rob you - not hurt you! So, keep your eyes open and look sharp. Then you can really enjoy your trip without any kind of disruptions.

- L. Galo


** European Union laws require me to give European Union visitors information about cookies used on your blog. In many cases, these laws also require me to obtain consent. Google's use of certain Blogger and Google cookies, including use of Google Analytics and AdSense cookies are mandatory. Your continued reading of this blog equates to your consent.

Sforza Castle

Sforza Castle

Sforza Castle, also called Castello Sforzesco, was built in the 15th century by Francesco Sforza. It was renovated and enlarged in the 16th and 17th centuries and was one of the largest citadels in Europe. Later rebuilt by Luca Beltrami in 1891-1905, it now holds many of Milan's museum and art collections

Here we are looking at the weapons of the 1800's.
(Li Galo)

Originally, the castle was the residence of the Visconti lords in the city. However, until it was destroyed by the  Golden Ambrosian Republic. In 1450,  Francesco began building the castle to turn it into his private residence. When he died, his son, Galeazzo Maria continued the build of the castle. In 1497, Ludovico Stforza became lord of Milan.

Several artists were called in to decorate the castle. Some of them were Leonardo Da Vinci, who painted several rooms, along with Bernardino Zenale and Bramante. Later however, the castle was damaged by Italian, German and French troops over the years. It was restored and enlarged not long after. After the unification of Italy, the castle was moved from being of military use to the city. But during World War II heavily damaged the castle. The restoration for use as a museum was utilized by  BBPR partnership.

Pieta by Michelangelo
(Li Galo)

Emilio with Michelangelo's Pieta
(Li Galo)

Blog by Cristiana Galo


** European Union laws require me to give European Union visitors information about cookies used on your blog. In many cases, these laws also require me to obtain consent. Google's use of certain Blogger and Google cookies, including use of Google Analytics and AdSense cookies are mandatory in the EU

The Eiffel Tower of Paris, France

The Eiffel Tower, located on the Champ De Mars, in Paris, France, was the product of Maurice Koechlin and Émile Nouguier, two engineers working for Compagnie des Établissements. In May 1884 Koechlin was at home, and he drew a sketch of his idea. Gustave Eiffel had little interest, but later patented the idea, after some changes. It was constructed by Gustave Eiffel in 1889.  The leading artists of France criticized it's architecture, and the tower was decided to be taken down. However, Gustave was just about able to convince the government otherwise.

View from the Eiffel Tower 
(S. Galo)

When I visited the Eiffel Tower, it had beautiful architecture, and the view of Paris was amazing. Now it's a world famous landmark that over 250 million people have visited. I kept thinking to myself, "Well I bet the government is glad they didn't take it down!"

Soaring over Notre Dame, the tower was 903 feet tall, taller than any other structure in the world, for 41 years, until the Chrysler Building was built in 1930. I found out that an additional 17 feet was put on the Eiffel, and it's now a stunning 1,063 feet, after a few more add-ons. It has three floors, the first and second both holding restaurants. There are stairs, but they only go up to the second floor, and that alone is over 300 steps. When I visited the tower, the third floor was closed due to recent events, but there is an elevator up, and if you're a walking athlete, a staircase. The base is 410 feet, and the Eiffel stands proudly as the second tallest structure in France, not including radio antennas, after the Millau Viaduct. 

View from below the Eiffel Tower
(S.Galo)

** European Union laws require me to give European Union visitors information about cookies used on your blog. In many cases, these laws also require me to obtain consent. Google's use of certain Blogger and Google cookies, including use of Google Analytics and AdSense cookies are mandatory. Your continued reading of this blog equates to your consent.