Once the Wool Center of England

June 30 (and into July 1st)
Bradford England was once the center of the wool trade for England, even rivaling London for importance. I have also learned that all England’s larger cities say this at least once in their tourist information. But because of its location to water, people, and most importantly, the sheep, I do think Bradford had an edge on this category, at least for a while.

But first, getting the car. Dave is not standing on the wrong side of the car–it’s the English driving thing–steering wheel on the right side of the car.

From here we went down to the parking garage’s next level and drove around there, practiced pulling into a space, then out of a space, then down to the next level where there were more cars, etc until we (he) felt brave enough to try a real road. Kind of like Driver’s Training all over again.

The motorways are really nice. We had no problems getting to our destination until we got off of them, then Good Luck. Street signs seem to be absent nearly everywhere. If you do see one, it’s on the street that intersects yours. You’re supposed to know what street you’re on–difficult.

Bradford’s buildings are solid-looking brick buildings, built in the last century. This is City Hall.

Love the names of the streets here.

Boys in Bradford.
This place is one of those dying cities, the prime of the wool trade long past and no new infusion of cash or a viable industry.

The old Wool Center building–rather gothic-y at the top. Now it’s a bank.

Dave’s smiling because at long last–we have clean clothes!
We ran into a tour guide operator in Bergamo Italy and I asked him for tips on travel. “Febreeze,” he said. I laughed, but after 8 days of traveling, if we hadn’t found a laundromat, I would have bought some to freshen up our clothing.

Snack for the Day

I collect potato chip bags that are visually interesting. And Volvic is my favorite water bottle because the opening is large enough that you don’t have to do that sucking business to get the water out. This is good for the classroom, especially if you are teaching Freshman Comp.

Travel Day

June 29
Travel Day from Milan to Manchester, via Brussels airport

Propeller-head Man
Brussels Airport
June 2008
When ditching the airplane, passengers are instructed to remove their heads.
(They really used the word “ditching” instead evacuating.)
If you have a baby this hideous, yes, you should definitely brace yourself.
We laughed when we saw the Manneken Pis statue on the front of a Coke machine. Really makes you want to buy a soft drink, eh?
I just want you to know that the British Judo champion also traveled on our plane. It said so on the back–and front–of his jacket.

Milan’s Duomo

When we came out of the subway to the heat and noise and bright afternoon sun, the Duomo was sparkling white. This shot is taken late in the afternoon, when the cathedral assumes the rose colors of the descending sun.

The Duomo inside is rather dark, with deep gray stone (although if it had light, it might look differently). We focused on the light: Dave’s shot of the stained glass is clear and vivid.

I liked the two brilliant yellow spots, as well as the “pomegranate” Christ in the lower center.

As per our niece Alice’s advice, we took to the roof–in an ascenseur (or elevator). This is atop the nave, looking from one end to the other.

A very Gothic place, this roof. No wonder it took them hundreds of year to complete this thing.

Love the framing on Dave’s shot, above.
We migrated to the backside, where the spires provided lots of shade and hung out there, exploring all the detail.
The Vittorio Emanuelle II from the roof.
Dr. Dave, taking a shot.

Among all the hundreds and hundreds of statues, not too many women were represented on this roof. It seems like most were consigned to the downspouts.
The repetitive elements intrigued us.
Goofing around on the roof.

I’ve had days like this.
These buttresses are huge, but because the entire cathedral is so large, the scale is lost.




Back down on the ground, and after dinner, we looked more closely at the closed doors. Dave captured the nativity.

I was intrigued by where the bronze had been shined up by pilgrims’–and tourists’–hands.

Good-bye, Italy.

Milan

June 28, 2008
Milan is Big City, Big Noise (courtesy of the radio station broadcasting from portable tents in the Duomo main square), Big Heat & Humidity, Big Cathedral (4th largest in the world), Big Shopping.

This is the entrance to the shopping arcade, famous for its famous brandware, and famous because it was the first covered shopping mall in the world–the Vittorio Emanuelle II.

Check out these shoes.
Amor–love, Italian style.
We ate here as it was recommended in Rick Steve’s guidebook. Not bad, for a chain. It’s hard to think clearly about food when it costs so much and the tourists are so tired.
Maro–Italian style.
Inside the shopping arcade.
At the end of the evening, in front of the Duomo.