Milan, one of the cities of Italy which is situated on the northern outskirts and faces the Alps. Milan, city of fashion where you can hardly find a hotel that is not occupied. Milan, a city where the super models strut their stuff on the catwalk displaying the latest in fashion designs that some of us cannot afford to buy. Milan, where the famous DUOMO cathedral is located. A hugh gigantic structure pain stakely carved out of solid stone for about six centuries to build one of Italy’s master piece of all time. It is now said that if anything looks like it will take for ever, the locals compare it to the“la fabbrica del Duomo” which means the building of the cathedral.

Arrived at the Milano airport, our mission, to invade Europe with my company’s telephony network. To break down the

doors of monopoly and resistance to technology. To destroy the strangle hold of local state own telephone companies which hold their customers to ransom with high artificial prices. To provide fair competition so that customers as yourself have a choice in what you prefer.

I have arrived well equipped for this mission, laptops, tools, materials, the works. You name it I reckon we had it. Lets face it in a foreign land where you can’t speak the lingo, you need to have all possible materials and equipment shipped in so you don’t get caught short. Where you don’t spend the rest of your time there running around looking for alternatives.
First point of call was at the hotel, Forte Crest. We were picked up at the airport by our Italian representative. On arrival at the hotel we proceed to our rooms. As I enter the room the first words from my month was “this is a mistake, I must have got the wrong room”. I am so accustomed to a basic hotel room that this one looked liked paradise. The carpet soft with pretty patterns which melted under your feet as you walked across the room. There was a large TV with about 20 channels. Most of the stations where in Italian, however there were also CNN, Sky News and Sky sports. There was a video recorder so that if you got bored of looking at TV, you can rent your favourite films and view it with no charge.

While viewing, you can drink yourself silly from a drinks cabinet. They had whisky, vodka, brandy etc. If you are so out of your trolley (drunk) and you wanted to close the curtains as the sun shines into your room you could then collapse on a hugh bed and punch the remote switch and watch gleefully as the curtains slowly closes. Finally you can then from your bed remotely turn on any light in your room to provide a soft relax atmosphere as you drift off to noddy land. It is time to visit the bathroom, the floor is covered in black shinny tiles. The sink is installed in a marble shelf and above it is a hugh mirror (no excuse for not looking smart!!!). There is a beedae installed beside the toilet used by who knows what it is used for. Loads of towels and a dressing gown that when worn makes you look like Tyson ready for war. The shower warm and welcoming. Yes, for me this was heaven.

I headed into the heart of Milan, straight from our new founded offices. Well centered in the middle of Milan, a feather throw away from the Metro (tube or subway), restaurants, cafes, taxis, cinemas and shops. What an ideal place to have an office. After a hard slog in the morning you can wonder into one of the restaurants or cafes and have pastas, pizzas, spaghetti, fish, veal, cured ham, beef, risotto (rice round and creamy, cooked slowly in a white wine, beef marrow, butter and saffron with parmesan cheese to give a smooth finish), wash down with Chianti Classico, Bardolino or Valpolicella wines. Finally top off with a coffee (if you are looking for a coffee delivered to you in a mug size cup forget it, the cup is the size of a thimble, two swallows and it is finished but great taste). If after the day you are totally wacked, then plump yourself in one of the beer gardens with seats outside, order a drink and watch the world go by.

When bored of looking at people head for the Triumphal Arch and the Plaza del Duomo which is about three minutes walk from our office. Through the Triumphal Arch leads the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele which is a cross-shaped shopping arcade there is a spot where a picture of a bull is drawn on the floor. It is said that if you required some good luck, make a wish and spin around once on the bull. Of course I tried, no telling what might happen. Opposite the Triumphal Arch is the Plaza del Duomo where the cathedral is situated and shared with thousands of pigeons and a magnificent fountain. Ah, what a sight to see. So here ends my short trip, four days in a warm and sunny climate. Where the sites are glorious, the food pleasant and the people welcoming.