Well this is gonna get long. I took a zillion photos but so did Greg, Jayse & Jaelee. So there are a lot of photos. I also want to make sure I write down some of the significant information and details about the places.

So here we go, after getting some rest and sleep on Sunday we were ready to go adventure on Monday. First stop was the Duomo. We walked to the Metro from Brandi’s. The Metro was an experience the first time. We tried to use our phone to pay and it worked to get in but didn’t to get out. We had no idea where we were going but luckily my sister and her husband did and we all just followed them. It wasn’t too busy since it was a Monday – that was really nice we’d later find out.

When we walked out of the metro we were right at the Duomo. Walking out and seeing that building right in front of you is indescribable. It’s so big and impressive with so much detail. The Duomo is the largest church in Italy (technically St. Peter’s Basilica is larger and in Italy but it’s in the Vatican which is it’s own nation). It is the 3rd largest church in Europe and the 5th in the world – and one of the oldest. They say there are more statues on this gothic-style cathedral than any other building in the world. There are 3,400 statues, 135 gargoyles, 135 spires and 700 figures.

It was started in 1386 and was under heavy construction for 200 years. It took nearly 600 years to fully complete but is always being worked on for cleaning and restorations! I can’t even imagine something being built that long – that it takes generations to see finished.

While we were walking around there were a lot of pigeons. There were some guys with bird seed. They put some in the kids hands so the birds would come to them. It was fun for them and fun for me to get pictures. Jayden did not love the birds and did not want any bird seed.

This gold statue is Madonnina – a statue of the virgin Mary.

In the Piazza Duomo – this statue is in front of the Duomo. It’s a statue of Vittorio Emanuele II the first king of a united Italy who ruled from 1861 to his death in 1878.

This impressive building next to the Duomo is The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II it is Italy’s oldest active shopping gallery. It was opened in 1877. It is unbelievable that it is that old. It is in incredible shape.

Even the flooring in there was stunning.

Ryan told us that legend has it that if you put your heel on the bulls balls and spin around 3 times you will be fertile. There was a bunch of woman lined up to do just that.

Just outside of the shopping center is this statue of Leonardo da Vinci with with his 4 favorite apprentices.

Next we decided to go grab some lunch. Brandi and Ryan took us to a pizza place they like and it did not disappoint. The pizza was so good and it came out so fast. Jayse had a burger that was a little funny though. It was just a burger patty, no bun, no cheese, no condiments just a burger. He still ate it though and thought it was fine.

How cool is it to be in a place where you are just walking down the street and see a castle in the distance? Just blows me away.

Brandi and Ryan took us to this huge Starbucks Reserve, it was like a Willy Wonka chocolate factory for coffee.

This monument stands in tribute to Giuseppe Garibaldi, the Italian independence hero and one of the Italians considered the “Father of the Fatherland”.

Flanking the pedestal are two allegorical figures, on the east side is the female personification of Freedom putting her the sword back into its sheath after mortally wounding the tyrannical tiger, and on the right side is another female personification, of Revolution accompanied by a roaring lion.

Sforzesco Castle built in the 15th century and is now a museum. Leonardo da Vinci worked and lived here from 1482-1499 and from 1506-1513.

After going threw the castle you end in this beautiful park with the Arch of Peace in the distance.

Spiced hot wine.

As we made our way down to the arch threw the park we saw this statue of Napoleon III.

After the Arch of Peace it was getting to be evening so we headed back to Brandi’s on the metro. We had quit the walk to get to the nearest metro but it is such a cool walk when you are walking threw a place like that. Minus having to side step all the doggy do and urine. You have to always keep an eye where you are walking to avoid that.

When we got back to Brandi & Ryans they made us a delicious pasta dinner. Jayse fell asleep and Jayden stacked some stuff on his head while he slept. Pretty funny.

What an amazing first day!!! Still can’t believe this was all real.