La vita è bella in Italia!!

Olimme perheen kanssa kolmen päivän minilomalla Milanossa. Ihan ehdottomasti yksi lempikaupungeistani ja vielä niin lähellä kotia. Matkaa on vain 250 kilometriä meiltä kotoota ja ajammekin usein muutamaksi päiväksi Milanoon. Rakastan italialaisten intohimoa, ylpeyttä, temperamenttia ja dramaattista luonnetta, mikä näkyy kaikessa tekemisessä. He nauttivat elämäntyylistään ja etenkin hyvästä elämänlaadusta. Yhteiskunnan perustana on perhe ja erityisesti äiti. Italialaiset tunnetaan hyvin läheisistä perhesuhteista, rakkaudesta lapsiin ja isovanhempiin, joita ei laiteta vanhainkotiin, vaan perhe pitää heistä huolta päivien loppuun saakka. Italiassa etusijalla on perhe ja sosiaalinen elämä ja sitten vasta työ. Pidän tästä ajatusmaailmasta ja tavasta elää elämää. Täällä ollaan vain kerran ja elämästä kuuluu nauttia, ei pelkästään suorittaa. Italian kieli on minusta maailman kauneimpia. Aloitin muutama kuukausi takaperin opiskelemaan itsenäisesti italiaa. Kieli on helppo oppia ja toivonkin, että voin pian hoitaa kommunikoinnin näillä reissuilla italian kielellä.

Tälle reissulle lensimme Suomesta Robinin ja lastenhoitajamme kanssa. Kimi oli ajanut päivää aikaisemmin Sveitsistä ja oli meitä vastassa Malpensan kentällä. Ajoimme Maggioraan, noin 80 km Milanon keskustasta, katsomaan Kimin motocross tiimin MM-osakilpailua. Toinen kuskeista pääsi ensimmäisen kerran tämän kauden aikana podiumille sijoittuen hienosti kolmanneksi. Toinen kuski taas kasvatti johtoaan MM pisteissä. Robin pääsi ensimmäisiin motocross kisoihinsa ja näytti nauttivan touhusta pelottavan paljon:) Kerrottakoon myös, että Iceone Racingin tiimipäällikkö on jo hommannut Robinille oman mini crossipyörän ja ajokamat odottaa naulakossa.

We took a mini holiday to Milan with the family. Definitely one of my favorite cities and not too far from where we live. It is only 250 kilometers from home and we often drive and spend a few days there. I love the Italian passion, pride, temperament and dramatic nature that you can see in everything they do. They enjoy their way of life and especially quality of life. The foundation of their society is family with the mother as the head. The Italians are known for their tight family bonds, their love for their children and grandparents, who they don’t put at the old folks homes, but look after until the very end. In Italy family and social life come first, then work. I like this way of thinking and this way of living life. We only live once and it is important to enjoy life and not try to achieve all the time. This time I flew from Finland with Robin and our Nanny. Kimi had been driving the day before in Switzerland and met us at Malpensa airport. We drove to Maggiora, about 80km from the city center, to watch the world championship of Kimi’s motocross team. One of the drivers came third and got to stand on the podium for the first time this season. The other one increased his lead in world championship points. Robin got to go to his first motocross competition and I’m frightened to say he seemed to enjoy it a little too much 🙂 I can also tell you that the Iceibe Racing’s teammanager has already organized a mini crossbike for Robin and his driving gear is waiting in the wardrobe.

After the race we drove to Milan. This time we stayed at Armani hotel and we were very happy with it. A very stylish hotel with prompt and friendly service. Also the location was great.

Via Monte Napoleone, along which you can find high fashion stores, is literally right on the doorstep of this hotel. About 700 meters from the hotel lies Piazza di Duomo. This square is right in the Middle of Milan. Here you can find a little bit less expensive shops and the stunning cathedral, Duomo di Milano. The church is open to the public and for a small sum you can go up to the roof of this gothic style cathedral and look out over the city center of Milan.

The glass roof shopping center Galleria Vittoria Emanuele II is also located on this square. The Galleria got its name after Viktor Emanuel II. He was the first king of the united Italy. On the marbel floors of the Galleria there is a pattern of an ox. It is said that the bad spirits disappear if you spin on your right heel on the genitals of the ox.

While in Milan I always have to go to Valentino. I have wanted a new wallet for a long time and a case for my passport that always lies at the bottom of my handbag. This beauty has both in one.

I still have to mention my love for Italian food. Simple but so delicious. Everywhere you go in Italy, the food is good, but one restaurant in Milan is above the rest. Heavenly good food and a wide-ranging wine list, not to mention their house made chocolate ice cream. Restaurant Bice is situated across the street from Monte Napoleon at Via Borgopesso 12.