Litratong Pinoy: Pangarap ko [My dream]

Trafalgar Square in London

Libre ang mangarap. At ang sabi nga ni Paulo Coelho, kapag nais mo ng isang bagay, ang sandaigdigan ay magtutulong-tulong upang makamit mo ito. Sa totoo lang, ang dami kong pangarap---isa na d'on ay ang makahanap ng girlfriend para kay Fritz na magugustuhan din n'ya. Medyo pihikan kasi ang alaga ko. Pangarap ko rin na magkaroon na ng katatagan pang-ekonomiya ang buong mundo sa lalong madaling panahon. Kung hindi man yon mangyayari agad, sana mananalo na lang muna ako ng lotto jackpot para makapag-shopping ako ng todo-todo at makakatulong sa pagpapasigla ng ekonomiya.:D

At kahit medyo imposible sa ngayon, pinapangarap ko rin ang araw na magkakaisa ang mga Pinoy, hindi lang sa mga rally at laban ni Pacquiao kundi pati sa pagkakapit-bisig para sa kabutihan ng karamihan na walang pulitika. At syempre pa, world peace---o di ba, pang Miss Universe?

Pero sa aking pagninilay-nilay habang sinusulat ko 'to, pangarap ko talaga ang makabalik muli sa Europe bago ako magkarayuma at mawalan na ng gana sa pamamasyal. Taon 2005 pa noong ako'y napadpad doon at sana mabibigyan uli ng pagkakataon na maranasan ko ang ibang parte pa ng Europe. Ang mga litratong ito ay kuha nong 2005.

Big Ben in London

Dreams are free. And according to Paulo Coelho, when you want something, the entire universe will conspire to help you achieve it. Truth be told, I have a million and one dreams---one of which is to find a girlfriend for Fritz, I'd like to see his pups soon. I also dream of a global economic and financial stability, but if strategies wouldn't work soon enough, I fancy of winning a lotto jackpot so I could shop till I drop, at the same time help stimulate the economy.:D

It may sound impossible, but I still dream of the day when Filipinos unite, not only at rallies and boxing matches but in working towards the common good sans politics. And of course, like any other beauty queen, I aspire for world peace.:D

But reflecting on what I really wish for most of all, it's my fervent hope to return to Europe before arthritis spoils my appetite for travel. It was in 2005 when I first got the chance to visit Europe and I hope I'd be given an opportunity to experience Europe once again. These photos were taken on that 2005 trip.

Basilique du Sacre-Coeur in Paris

a scary statue at the Duomo in Milan

Buckingham Palace Gardens

Posted for Litratong Pinoy

Milan experience

inside the Duomo di Milano

Milan and design. They go together like Dolce and Gabbana. Milan is the center of creativity in Europe, and when an American client invited me to meet them at the Macef International Home Show in Fiera Milano, I was beside myself with excitement. I bought a pocket Italian-English dictionary, practiced ‘grazie’ in front of the mirror, and I was ready to go!

After meeting the clients at Grand Hotel Verdi, Tess, my colleague, and I walked towards the exquisite Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a glass-roofed arcade with marble floors that was built in 1867. There are high-end stores, restaurants and cafes inside the galleria.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Our destination was the magnificent Duomo di Milano, an elaborate Gothic cathedral on the main square of Milan. Building this vast cathedral started in the 5th century, generations of kings and popes changed the design a couple of times that it took more than 400 years to complete. Breathtaking statues and intricate stained glass adorn the cathedral.

Duomo di Milano

back of the Duomo

Unfortunately, the Duomo was undergoing renovations and cleaning when we visited, scaffolding obscured its glorious façade.

a scary statue inside the cathedral

on the roof

We rode an elevator to reach the roof top of the Duomo. There are pinnacles punctuated by a grove of spires, topped with statues overlooking Milan. The intricate marble design was astoundingly mind-boggling.

Armed with a map, Tess and I decided to look for Da Vinci’s Last Supper. The famous painting is in the refectory of Santa Maria della Grazie, a church built in the 14th century. Taking photographs was not allowed inside the museum. I noticed this wrought iron floor candelabrum in one of the church’s chambers.

My feet were already blistered by the time we arrived at the Castello Sforzesco, a castle built in the 14th century. The Castello houses several museums---works by Michaelangelo, Mantegna, Bellotto and Canaletto are displayed at The Museum of Ancient Art.

Castello Sforzesco

a park behind the Castello

At the far end of Castello Sforzesco is the Arch of Peace constructed in early 18th century. This arch was Napoleon’s idea to celebrate his victory but after his Waterloo, the arch was left unfinished until 1838.

Arch of Peace

Tess with the doves at the piazza

We met a lot of Pinoys in Milan…waiters, domestics, exchange students, wives of Italians and tourists. Our hotel manager enthused about the Thrilla' in Manila when he learned that we're from the Philippines. For a minute, I had no idea what he was talking about. Then I realized he was talking about the Ali-Frazier boxing match in the 70's at the Araneta Coliseum. I remember my father going gaga over that match. Like Filipinos, Italians, I realized, are crazy about boxing.

We also chanced upon a Ferrari launching at the piazza where Tess was star-struck by F1 driver Michael Schumacher. She panicked and asked me to take his picture---alas, I didn’t know who Michael Schumacher was, didn't recognize him waving in front of me! I was busy admiring the cars and the drop-dead gorgeous Italian men all around.

dinner at the Galleria

with our Pinoy waiter and his boss

facade of our hotel

It was a short and memorable visit---my first taste of Europe. Shopping was out of the question because it was extremely expensive! After roaming the luxury shopping areas of Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga and Via Sant Andrea, and drooling over the windows at Fashion Quadrilatero, we ended up shopping in Benetton’s outlet store! How can a peso-earner shop in an expensive city like Milan???? Sigh.

Tess and I comforted ourselves by drinking espresso at Zucca, and dining al fresco-Milan style.