Today, March 8, is a bit of a holiday in Italy. Called "le feste delle donne" it is a day on which women are celebrated for the simple fact that they are women. Traditionally, they are given heaping piles of mimosas from their loved ones, co-workers, friends, etc.
It is not the same event as Mother's Day (which Italy has) or Secretary's Day (which I've been told Italy does not have). If you are a woman you are entitled to celebrate that fact. It is that simple.
The sidewalk florist shops were doing a brisk business and the sidewalks themselves were dotted with both men and women carrying their requisite bouquets. It was a nice touch of color to a city that's a bit gray this time of year. I should, however, clarify that Milan is far from ugly and there is a distinct beauty in it's cento per cento (100%) urbanity.
And there are some surprises for us newcomers as well. Earlier this week there was a very clear view of the alps from Milan's higher floors. It was magnificent to see the snowy peaks arcing around us in the distance. They felt very close and familiar, as if they were gates to the city that the earth had raised simply to protect us.
If I hadn't seen them with my own eyes, I would never have believed they were so close. In a big city like this, with people rushing everywhere, traffic charging ever forward, and absolute & utter modernity in every direction, one hardly thinks of mountains. Yet, they are there. And we are quite tiny in comparison.
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