New Year in Milan?! Yeahhhh

Ya, after the family Xmas is always the huge party…This year I decided to celebrate it in yet another country: ITALY!!! The last few years… New year has been in Portugal, Netherlands, Spain… and now Italy:)

I flew to Bergamo, and caught the bus to Milan to meet up with some friends.

I had the time of my life… ended up walking around, shopping, eating, and partying through the night… I arrived on the 31st in Milan and what a night that was… I did and saw things that I never thought possible… but it was truly amazing to be surrounded by Italians who are actually really friendly and passionate about everything. You can tell this from the way they move their hands when they talk:) I made lots of new friends and practiced my Italian… it is actually very similar to Portuguese so it was not that difficult.

So here is what happens in Italy on new year… everyone buys fire crackers… and there are little (well maybe no so little) explosions all over the place… Milan sounded like it was in a civil war…For those of you have weak hearts… I do not suggest Milan for new year…. however if you an adrenalin junkie looking for a thrill there is no better place. It was a real thrill, and then at the stroke of midnight… well the place goes wild.

We had not booked any special party or reserved any venue and ended up in this bar which was amazing… the music fantastic and EVERYONE was having so much fun… I would have never ended up there on my own… but you know what they say… life begins when you leave your comfort zone… and that is what I did… and I really enjoyed it!!! Thanks guys:)

The next day… was a calm day walking around Milan and getting ready for the Milan sales… ya… the 3rd of January Milan goes on a huge sale…. and all the women in the country go wild…. It is actually an amazing experience to see so many women so happy with what they are buying. I loved watching the boyfriends/husbands carry the bags while their partners just keep spending and spending… The truth is that there are really good deals… as 50% in Milan actually is a lot of money:)

 

After shopping and my first movie in Italian… it was time to go to Bergamo… I had heard wonderful things about Bergamo… this little village of a 120 thousand people to the north of Milan. There is a huge shopping centre but the most important thing is the high city… which is this little old city surrounded about walls for historical reasons… and it is AMAZINGGGG!!! I was lucky enough to get a guided tour from some friends…. and I really enjoyed my self… I mean the simple life style that you read/dream about actually does exist… you just need to go the right places!!! Bergamo!!!!!!! Had a traditional Italian meal… and ended up going to bed with a smile on my face like I was in 7th heaven!

 

I am now currently sitting at Bergamos airport waiting for my flight back to Eindhoven… but I am thinking that I will come back to Bergamo… it is a beautiful place… well worth coming back to!

 

Gareth

Xmas?!

Yup it is Xmas again… that time of the year where people spend fortunes in presents and families get together… It is not my favourite time of the year, however it is always nice to get a chance to catch up with your loved ones. This year I was not sure how I was going to see, my family and friends at the same time… well i came up with a plan…. Xmas eve in Eindhoven, with my dear friends from Eindhoven… Amazing dinner and it was really nice to be with them as life as an expat you tend to be far from your family so you friends fill that gap…. and it is really nice as you an choose your friends and you surround yourself with people who truly understand you as they are all in a similar situation:)

Then breakfast in Eindhoven on Xmas day… quick drive to Amsterdam through the snow storms… fly to Lisbon. It is actually really cheap to fly in Xmas day… I guess no one wants to fly… on that day….i was at Schipol just after the famous flight to Detroit took off… what a thought!? Schipol was amazing, as there were Santas, rain dear, 3 kings all over the place… It really felt like Xmas was in Schipol (my favourite airport in the world).

Made it to Lisbon, saw my family, rented a car and on the 26th went down to the Algarve… Had a great few days, relaxing, and eating lots… until the 29th where I then handed in the rented car, (had lunch with some mates at the airport) and flew back to Eindhoven:)

 

Here are a few nice pictures of the Algarve… at Xmas:)#

 

 

 

Gareth back in Eindhoven:)