Europe 2023
Europe trip 2023
Milan, Italy
The journey commenced with a wedding invitation. Due to the challenges posed by the COVID era, several friends' weddings, including this one, faced postponements, if my understand is accurate. Hence, leading to the final decision to hold the wedding in July 2023. In the meantime, contemplating where to go before the ceremony, I learnt that a friend of mine was invited to an exhibition in Milan. Consequently, I headed to Milan first and joined him once his work was completed.the first thing i see after i passed immigration in milan is this enormous oigen kettle. still find this a bit confusing.
Later on, while exploring some local shops, I passed by a tea shop. It appears that Europe is embracing another generation of tea culture.
Starbucks
The initial result I obtained when researching sightseeing in Milan on Google was about a Starbucks situated in an old post office. I decided to visit on the first day I landed, but the long queue discouraged me from entering. However, the opportunity presented itself the following morning when I visited Duomo di Milano. As evident in the picture below, I opted for a flat white and a pain au chocolat. In terms of both the coffee and the bakery item, I would describe the experience as typical of what you'd expect from a regular Starbucks. Nevertheless, the ambiance, the renovations, the construction, and the overall decor did elevate my experience and brought an additional layer of joy to visiting this Starbucks.
Culinary
Evidently, when in Italy, one's primary duty as a tourist is to seek out the city's culinary delights and it is an opportunity I wouldn't dream of overlooking. While I may not have extensively photographed the gastronomic offerings, I've shared a selection of images capturing the essence of the cuisine. As someone who grew up in Hong Kong and has lived in different countries, I consider Italian food my second favourite cuisine in the world. Despite the challenges high-carb foods pose for my stomach, I still find the appeal of Italian cuisine irresistible.
Architecture
During my time in Milan, I was struck by the incredible combination of nature and architecture, which I found truly amazing. I thoroughly enjoy exploring and immersing myself in the culture when traveling abroad, particularly revealing in the architecture that encapsulates the essence of a place. 
Markets
Fortuitously, I found myself able to explore several markets in Milan without any prior planning. Despite the rather inclement weather, which added an element of challenge to my art-seeking endeavors, I was still successful in acquiring a selection of old prints that I found quite amusing.
fresh Hobby
Scouring flea markets and vintage stalls for art is among my pastimes. Yet, following a shopping excursion at Hermes in Milan, I've cultivated a fresh hobby, one centred on the admiration of the ornamental art within the boutique. This newfound fascination centres around a collection of images, notably one featuring a horse print that, amusingly enough, I initially found unappealing. Lol!
