If I think back now, my first striking memory of the journey here is " It smells like peaches." It was after the flight attendants on board the British Airways flight sprayed an Aerosol for disinfection into the air. We were advised to keep our eyes and mouth closed in case we feared allergic reaction. All I could think of was what it smelled like. Peaches. Hehehe. That I was on a plane, leaving home for London and then Milan was the farthest thing on my mind.
I remember being distinctly excited, to be flying out of the country. Don't exactly recall why. In any case at 37,000 feet, the outline of the coast of western India is pretty clear, and you know that you are definitely out. Gujarat was pretty obvious and then I saw a city that could have only been Karachi. You look down on Pakistan and it just looks so calm and ....for lack of a better word, peaceful. But then maybe at night every place in the world is.
Passing through Heathrow and its duty free in the morning I was once again reminded what spoilt for choice means. I was also informed that within Europe one is allowed to carry up to 10 litres of alcohol (for all those of you who did not know... ;) Landing in Milan, I braced myself for immigration and to my incredible confusion, there was no check. All they did was look at my passport. I still don't quite understand it. I mean one look at me at Heathrow invited a check for explosives, and here at Linate, a smile and a "Welcome to Italy." A friendly face on the other side was a relief, and one that knew how to get around, I thanked my lucky stars!!! Yes I am talking about you Ketaki... :)
The Duomo is an exquisite structure and the piazza around it is like something out of one's dream. The first time I saw it I got only a glimpse on my way to the hostel where I was supposed to live. That same evening however, I did return there, partly for work but mostly because I couldn't get that building out of my head. My first few days are sort of a blur. All I remember is running around and a lot of paperwork. But what I also remember is the overwhelming amount of Design in this city. Everywhere, in the tiniest of things, somebody thinks of what is good. It was overwhelming, and so promptly put out of the mind.
At the end of the first week, when I finally had time to breathe, I finally went inside the Duomo. As an architect, that scale is something you rarely experience in India. And by that I mean the scale of the space inside, more than that of the entire building. Once inside however, it's a whole other story. Paying no attention to the intricate carvings and statues on the outside of the church I entered only to be stopped dead in my tracks. At the first 15 meter high stained glass windows, I was overwhelmed. The sight of that window, the detailing in the centuries old glass work was too much. I think that I stopped processing at that time. I ambled about the cathedral but barely remember seeing anything else. I now know there are about twenty more windows with equally if not more intricate glass work. I think as was the case with the rest of Milan, I just could not absorb it. I think I'll have to go there at least a dozen times before I can fully see the structure let alone appreciate it. :)
Having friends here, especially ones that I can speak with freely in Marathi has been amazing. And calling up home whenever I want to is an added bonus. But making new friends, people from all around the world has been such an amazing experience. I can honestly say now that I have a friend on every continent and that to me is quite amazing!! I do miss home, especially now when it is Diwali time. I miss the lantern making, I miss the lights, I miss meeting family and friends but mostly I miss my grandmother. Ajji is that one shining beacon of joy in my life and just talking about missing her has now brought tears to my eyes. So I will talk to her. Tomorrow and the day after. Every time I call, every time I Skype.
It was walking back from a Diwali dinner hosted by a indian family here yesterday that I realised how much of who I am is tied to where I come from. How all those tiny things that we do make us Indian. And that not having those things here makes you realise how far away you are even if your family is just a phone call away.
The past two weeks here have been so rich and vivid with life and colour and experiences. As I start school I can only look forward to what lies ahead. The people here are fun and lively and caring and rude and pretentious just like everywhere else. And Milan is beautiful and bright and interesting and challenging and obnoxious and dark and well ......normal like every other city. I now call it home.
