Orientation was today and in more ways than one! We met our host school NABA that has a beautiful campus with renovated buildings and some of the most art exposure around. Every corner you turn there are students working on projects, art displayed in photos on walls and hanging from ceilings, and graffiti is everywhere; something that is encouraged, even around the city as art. NABA is one of the leading design schools in Europe and has students from all over that take classes in fashion design, technology design, and media design. They have students that have worked with major international companies and the work they can do and the passion they have along with the schools is inspiring.
After our visit with NABA, we took the metro (to learn the system) to Duomo, where one of the most beautiful cathedrals stands. It is referred to as “the heart of the city.” As we walked up the steps of the metro it was literally an, “OH. MY. GOD.” moment from everyone in the group. I decided to stick around the area with a few friends as we walked down the cobble stone streets looking into shops, taking tons of pictures, and taking in all of the people, architecture, and way of life. We went into the La Galleria to do an old legend. The story goes that if you put your heel on the balls of the bull that is in mosaic on the floor and spin around three times, it will bring you luck and money. Because of the amount of people that have done this, the spot has actually ground into the floor to present a perfect opening to stick your heel in. After an adventure back to the hotel, dinner is on our way and I cannot wait to eat more food during what is called the happy hour or “apperativi.”
