Grande Milan!

I've had a really nice week staying in Torino. Its nice to be able to explore and learn all about the city where I'm supposed to be living. Sometimes it seems like I'm on the go more than in my little apartment. On Thursday night we went with lots of other students to Chalet, a night club located in a park. I expected it to be tiny but it was HUGE and we had a lot of fun with our friends.

On Friday, I was invited to dinner at a friend of Davide and Paola's who lives in Torino. I had a little trouble finding exactly where it is, but thankfully Italians are never on time for anything (is this where the term fashionably late comes from?).Dinner was really a fun experience. There were a ton of different anti pasta dishes; prosciuttos, vegetables, dips, and all sorts of breads and wines. Everyone stood and talked but it wasn't a formal sit down dinner. Then CeCe brought out rice with shrimp and soy sauce. Before I knew it, dessert was served in the form of mini chocolate filled molten cakes topped with Baileys and cream. Why are the best things the most fattening?? I had a great time and I got a lot of advice about Italy, travel, Torino, and the Italian language.

I slept in on Saturday morning and then we headed up to the Basilica Superga. Public transportation is so crazy here, nothing is straightforward. I think from the time we left our house to the time we came home finally we took 8 different buses. The Superga is this wonderful Basilica atop of Torino and it has great views of the Alps.It was a little chilly so we didn't stay long but it would be an awesome place to have a picnic in the warm weather. That night we went to XO in Piazza Vittorio and drank Sangria before heading down to the Murazzi.

Sunday morning I woke up early to meet Diego in Milano to go see AC Milan v. Ataltanta. We go to the stadium early and there were lots of people in the parking lot tailgating and lots of stands that sold food and Milan merchandise. I bought a scarf so that I could show some team spirit. We tried to find the San Siro museum so we could see some of the champions cups and other interesting memorabilia but it was closed. We headed up to our seats and it was amazing to be in such a big stadium. San Siro hold 85,000 fans, more than good ole Williams Brice! There were only 30,000 people at this game but for Champions league games its sold out. It was really exciting to feel all the energy in the stadium even though the stadium wasn't even at capacity. At the end of the game we met Diego de Ascentis from Atalanta who is friends with my dad's friend Diego. It was so cool to meet a football player. When we left the sun finally came out and there was a really pretty light casting over San Siro and I got a few great pictures of it.

This week has been pretty low key, lots of class and school work to do and get ahead of while I still can. Tomorrow morning I'm leaving for Nice and Monaco with Leigh from USC. It's going to be fun to see a friend from school. More to come next week!