Norwegians are nice

Luckily for me, simplicity marked my first morning in a new country - from the morning's flight through the clouds ("they're just WATER!") to my whisking through the passport check at the airport (Customs, what?) to the train ride from the Malpensa airport to the heart of Milan ( "Look! Old buildings! Yes!"). I called my Couchsurfing host (see Links, to the right) as scheduled, and we met easily at the station where the train and metropolitana (subway) intersect. Bjorn, a tall twenty-something Norwegian, was true to his Couchsurfin profile: amiable and easy-going - even as he helped maneuver me and my two suitcases through the subway and towards his tiny apartment on Via Savona. We paused for a breakfast of cappucino and croissants at a small cafe near his place in order to catch up on essentials.

Bjorn moved to Milan 3 years ago, without a job or knowing a word of Italian. He's truly (insert adjective here) to do so, and make it in a country where so much seems to happen via word of mouth, through social interaction, and where jobs can be especially hard for foreigners to land. He's loved his time in Milan, though plans to head back to Norway in October in order to save up money, presumably for his next adventure.

After showing me around his apartment (both rooms) and giving me a map, guiebook, and simple instructions on getting around town, Bjorn hopped on his bike and headed for work. I spread out the map on my guest bed (his vacationing roommate's, and which happens to be tucked into the corner of the kitchen) and got familiar with the names of the routes I would take. Then, I tuned in some Bach cello suites on the EECpod and hit the streets.

Following the streetcar line, I wandered toward the city center, where the duomo is located. I window-shopped and people-watched, and made my first Italian purchase: shoes! As in fairly rare-occasion, completely unnecessary black shoes, covered in sequins and flair, with side vents, open backs, and a small heel (will the sheep like them?). I anticipate being able to wear them, oh, next May perhaps, when I am back nearer to pavement. I will wear them grocery shopping.