A day in Milan

Milan is a great Roman city which one can get a glimpse even for just a day - starting off with its famous cathedral Duomo, other interesting structures near the square where Duomo is, to the Castello.
You would know you are already looking at Duomo when you see its majestic beauty looming. It's like a castle floating in the midst of all the structure in the square. Just being around it makes me feel I am in the medieval period. Its structure is nothing like any cathedral I have seen before. We do have many churches up in northern Philippines, where i came from. In fact, our place is a fave destination for a pilgrimage. But Duomo is different. It's like a massive crown that mesmerizes me.

We reached Duomo late in the afternoon, at about 5 PM, and it was very timely. During this hour of the day, the sun is down casting light upon Duomo and it shines like a white marble thing leaving the rest in the dark. No wonder, Duomo was made of bricks and pink marble of Candoglia.

Musicians at the Cathedral in Barcelona

Perhaps one of the most memorable experiences I have had in Barcelona is witnessing local musicians play while people dance together on the street, fronting the Cathedral. I really was so lucky to have seen this. It was late in the afternoon and I was kinda lost into the maze of structures around Las Ramblas, when I found the street heading to the Cathedral.

Las Ramblas, Barcelona in a day

With an influx of tourists wanting to enjoy the Spanish summer heat, it is hard to believe Spain is in deep economic trouble.  I witnessed the endless arrival of people at Las Ramblas in Barcelona – retirees, families, students from all over the world,mostly from other parts of Europe and US citizens queuing patiently to board the city tour bus, shopping, and drinking sangria. It is a sign of hope shining in this side of the Mediterranean Sea.