Parco Sempione

Isn't it funny how you can travel around the world and still meet at least one person from your hometown?
Such was the case on this 8 day trip. We met a mother and daughter from Lake Hopatcong, a guy and gal from Teaneck, a couple from Fair Haven, and another couple from Ocean Grove. You would have thought that everyone traveling our route was also from Jersey!

I bring this up because the picture below was taken by the guy from Teaneck...

The Parco Sempione was enormous and had a lot going on. People were busy setting up for the Milano Jazzin' Festival, which would begin later that week and feature Norah Jones and Crosby, Stills, and Nash. There was some sort of Health Festival, where dozens of tents had free games and give-aways. This giant soccer ball (which was autographed by hundreds of football fans) reminded us that the World Cup 2010 championship game was coming up. We got to watch both the conciliatory and final matches and listen to the festivities in the streets after the subsequent wins. Those Europeans sure love their football.
This is what a 5Euro cup of beer looks like.
But what are they doing up ahead?
Ah! An impromptu Zumba class! We were pretty excited to run into this, as both Jim and I enjoy taking Zumba classes at Gold's Gym. It is totally worth it to enlarge the picture above and check out the hairy shirtless Italian guy in the front row. When I upload the video, you'll see how vibrant he was.

So my research tells me that at one time this park was used for military training. There was a beautiful castle/fort on the one end of the park that I believe has been converted into a museum.


And we had our first unpleasant taste of tourism... several guys arrogantly hawking bracelets. They begin by complimenting you, then starting up a conversation, then wrapping the bracelet around your arm, then bugging the hell out of you for money. Geez. The second time we saw this operation in progress, we both shouted "We got 'em already!"