Archive for June, 2026

Milanese Days (part 2)

June 11, 2026

ミラノの休日(パート2)

The area around Sforza Castle was packed with people! It had a solemn atmosphere that reminded me of old Japanese castles showing off both wealth and strength for sure.

スフォルツア城のあたりは人でいっぱい!なんだか日本の古城を感じさせるような厳かさがありました。お金も強さもあったんでしょうねぇ。

The Duomo. We climbed up to the terrace and enjoyed the view of this magnificent city. So amazed by the incredibly complicated & beautiful architectural skills. 500 years of techniques and knowledge – and the “passion” is everywhere. The intricate columns and towers, each with its own sculpture of the saint; it was worth going up there to admire all of them up close.

街の中心、ドゥオモ。こちらはテラスへも登ってみましたが、すごーーーーーい建築技術にびっくり!やはり500年という長い年月をかけてここまで完成しただけあります。入り組んだ柱や塔、それぞれのデザインが美しく、また聖人の像などをあしらった部分は、テラスから観察するのが1番。

We also visited the Duomo Museum, where you can learn even more detailed information about the cathedral & the duomo. There were tremendous amount of models of statues used for the building, and amazing tapestries on display, as well as stunningly beautiful stained glass. 

お隣のドゥオモ博物館の中では、さらに詳しい内容を間近で見ることができます。聖人の像たちの模型や、タペストリーの展示。びっくりするほど美しいステンドグラス。どちらもドゥオモや教会でみたものをもっと学べる良いチャンスでした。


It was so hot, that meant, we deserved some gelato! The pistachio with raw walnuts was my choice. Yum yum. 暑いので、ジェラートもしっかり!ピスタチオ味、おいしかったなぁ。

At the Brera Art Gallery, art students are still studying in these old, dusty studios. I loved the feeling of “working art museum” where old and new creativities meet. Seeing those students made me think of our own child, who is currently studying at RISD. Even inside the museum, visitors are encouraged to stop and take a moment to be inspired and draw something freely – so I did.

ブレラ美術館では、今もアート·スチュウーデントたちがスタジオで勉強中。ちょっと我が家の下の子(RISD在学中)を思いました。美術館をおとづれた人たちも、好きなようにデッサンできるようにセットアップされています。私もいちまい。

In the courtyard, you get to meet this statue of Napoleon – naked. I think it was the first time for me to see him so “openly nude” to the public, and so beautifully & magically sculptured. I guess when you have lots of money and power, you can pay the artists to create your statue in any way you prefer.

こちらは、ブレラ美術館のコートヤードにあるナポレオンの像。「生まれたままの姿」なナポレオンさんってはじめてみたかも、、、?なかなか注目度高いです。お金と権力さえあれば、どんな姿にも作ってもらえるんです。

We did try some local Milanese dish, such as this Saffron Risotto. We also enjoyed “Kebab Pizza”, which you can see the signs frequently in Milan these days. Basically, it’s a beautiful combination of Italian pizza and shawarma meat, with lots of vegetables on top. It was surprisingly tasty!

ミラノ名物のサフラン·リゾット。そして、こちらも街中でよく見かけた「ケバブ·ピッツア」。要は、ピザの生地の上に、シャワルマのお肉やお野菜がのっているんですが、これがなかなか美味でした。

By the way, this is a TV program I got hooked on while in Milan. “Le Ricette Del Convento”, a show on the Food Network Italia, featuring variety of the recipes from Benedictine monks living in a convent in Sicily. After cooking, the chief monk (or, he seems like a leader-ish) shows up, singing hymns, while sampling the food and appreciating each other’s work. So peaceful, so charming, and so spiritual.

ちなみに、ミラノのホテルで気になったテレビ番組がこれ。Le Ricette del Convento, シシリーの修道院で生活している修道士さんたちのレシピを紹介するフードチャンネルのシリーズ。お料理をしたあとは、リーダー的修道士さんが聖歌をうたいながら試食する、、、かなりはまりました。

Milan is, as you know, the city of fashion. Since my husband and I are not interested in shopping, simply passing by the streets lined with high-end boutiques was just enough. I have noticed many rich, stylish people, like the movie “Devil Wears Prada”, though. I was already feeling rich enough to be able to spend a weekend away with my stylish husband who has good health and good heart – and, that’s all I need.

ファッションの街、ミラノ。ですが、ブランド物に興味のない私たちは、高級ブティックの通りは歩くだけで十分でした。確かにおしゃれさんが多いなぁ、と思いましたが。ちょっとした週末旅行、じゅうぶんに堪能したミラノでした!

:: Le chat du jour :: 今日の猫しゃん

Please stop by at my salon again 💞🫖🍵 3afak & Chukran

またサロンに寄ってくださいね🇲🇦🇯🇵


Milanese Days (part 1)

June 11, 2026

ミラノの休日(パート1)

We had an opportunity to visit Milan. The direct flight from Rabat was convenient, but upon arrival, we encountered a railway strike – very typical of Italy… well, we were able to manage to get to the city from the airport by bus, and started our lovely weekend.

ミラノへ行ってきました。ラバトから直行便があるということで、非常にラッキー!でしたが、到着時はイタリア名物、鉄道会社のストライキがありまして、、、なんとかホテルにチェックイン、そして街中へ出発。

Having the image of Milan being the Winter Olympics, the heat over 30 degrees Celsius felt a bit strange. But soon we found that Milan was incredibly easy to walk around, and the city’s transportation was very convenient (if there weren’t any strikes). Perfect place to stroll!

冬季オリンピックのイメージがあったので、暑い(30度超え)ミラノは不思議に感じましたが、とにかく歩きやすくて、市内の交通の便もよく(ストがなければ)、お散歩好きな私たちにはもってこい!の街でした。

I was able to check off one of my “Bucket Lists”; seeing “The Last Supper” in person. We were only given 15 minutes to stand before this Da Vinci’s masterpiece, and you definitely need a reservation in advance… by the way, those 15 minutes felt strangely long, heavy, and overwhelming.

私にとって、人生の「バケットリスト」のひとつである「最後の晩餐を生でみる」をチェック!ダビンチの絵を目の前にできるのは15分のみ、しかし、その15分の時の流れは不思議と長く重く、そして複雑に感じました。

About the paining; I didn’t think I saw any wine on the table. Bread looked like Moroccan khubs. And I didn’t quite understand what they were eating – maybe, fish? The perspective was incredible, of course, and Jesus and his disciples all looked very “human”. Their body movements and facial expressions, even reminded me of Bollywood movies. And, it is definitely a painting that talks to you. I was thinking about the nuns who used to eat their meals in the Santa Maria delle Grazie, with this painting behind them. I felt as if I were eating with them, and I could hear the sound of moving utensils and plates. But in a total, peaceful quietness.

晩餐の絵!あれ?ワインがない、、、?食べてるのはお魚?など、いろいろ頭に浮かびました。ジーザスや使徒達が、異常なほど「人間」らしく見えるのは、その動きのある体の様子と、ドラマ感たっぷりな表情だからでしょうか?サンタ·マリア·デッレ·グラツィエ教会の中、この絵をバックにお食事をとっていた修道女さんたちのことを思うと、なんだか不思議と、私も一緒に食べているのような気分に。

By the way, our “Last Supper” for that evening was Pakistani food. No, not Italian. For some reason, my husband and I always end up venturing down rather ‘not mentioned in the guidebook’ stress to eat non-local cuisine of each European city we visit. I guess we love the energy and friendliness of immigrants in those areas. Perhaps it’s because we are immigrants ourselves?

ちなみに、その夜の私たちの晩餐は、パキスタン料理でした。なぜか、いつも、その土地の名物ではないお料理を、怪しげな道に入り込んで食べることの多い夫婦です。移民の人たちのパワーやフレンドリーさが好きなんです。自分達も移民だからかしら?

<Milanese Days> continue to the Part 2… 「ミラノの休日」続きはパート2で。

The cat of the day :: Le chat du jour :: 今日の猫しゃん

Please stop by at my salon again 💞🫖🍵 3afak & Chukran

またサロンに寄ってくださいね🇲🇦🇯🇵