Last Stop Milan June 27-29

Our last morning in Porto Venere dawned overcast yet pretty

And then took the train to Milan.

Our train was about 30 minutes late getting in and the rush hour traffic was terrible, so we arrived at our lodging after the maid (who was going to let us in)  had left. The guy at the front desk was adamant that he spoke no English and was worse than useless.  We realized that he knew exactly how to help us but was choosing to not do so. When Lou indicated she needed a bathroom he finally relented and told us where the apartment was. It reminded me of playing Dungeons and Dragons where you have to figure out the rules as you play. We had tried to call the apartment owner but his phone went directly to messaging.  Found out later that he's a lawyer and was in court.  Damn lawyers anyway!

Wednesday we headed out to see the Duomo in central Milan. It cost 3 euros to view the church and its museum. When Russ and Denise were here in 2015 Russ argued with the guard what if he wanted to go in to pray? The guard somehow wasn't moved by Russ' appeal and exhibiting a streak of stubbornness (who woulda' thunk it?), Russ opted to not go in the church. Russ texted Denise to go ahead and pay the fee this time. We were all glad we did. 

The church musem across the street was an added bonus. It had many of the models of the statutes that adorned the building. 

On one side of the Duomo square is the Galleria Vittore Emanuelle II, one of the world's oldest shopping malls built in the 1860's and named to honor the last king of Italy. It is very high end, Prada, Gucci, etc. McDonald's was not allowed to renew its 20 year lease in 2012. Probably brought too much riffraff into the hallowed halls. 

For a mere 2100 euros you can acquire this Gauguin inspired Louis Vitton purse.

Then over to see the S'forza castle

Lunch at a bakery with the best bread sticks, olive, walnut and crispy plain:

And finally our scheduled 15 minute viewing of Da Vinci's Last Supper at  the Dominican convent adjacent to the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. The picture was painted on the wall of the dining room and the painting amazingly feels like just an extension of the room. 

 An afternoon rain storm curtailed our planned window shopping tour. So the Last  Supper tour was the last event in Europe 2017 for me.