It was a Wednesday, the athletes were having the afternoon off and even though I’d only just had most of Sunday off, I asked the Physio on Tuesday evening if it was a good day to go and see Milan as I wanted to make sure I went there before we left on Sunday.
I treated one athlete who said, “Apparently, you’re booked out for the day,” I said to her, I’m going to Milan this afternoon, and she said, “Good for you!”. I then explained to her that I knew how busy I would be, given it was an afternoon off for them. However, my not being there encourages the athletes to spend their free time away from rowing. “Treatment is part of training; if you’re getting treatment, you’re not having a break”.
I got the 11.57 am train from Gavirate (trains come once an hour) and got to Milan at 1.30 pm (it took longer than the 1 hour and 15 minutes it was supposedly going to take, but I looked out the window while listening to The Girl Who Fell From the Sky on audible). A friend had sent me a video on seven things to do in Milan. I wrote down 3 of those things - QC Terme Milano (A spa), The Duomo and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (an old shopping mall with expensive shops). Still, I hadn’t any idea of what I would do, and I even sent her a message saying I didn’t know if I’d have time to go to the spa.
I walked out from the train station and decided I’ll walk to the spa and see if there was space that would determine how the rest of my day went. Using google maps, I walked 40 minutes to QC, came across the Duomo, took some pics and then waited in reception because I didn’t have a booking, but it was promising because I was alone. It’s now 2.30 pm, and they tell me they have space, so I pay 79 euros and head into the changing rooms, even though I have no swimwear or other clothes other than what I am wearing. I told myself my cami bra, singlet, and underwear would do. Besides, nobody knows me here.
This Instagram reel sums up my 4 hours (I hope you can all see it, it’s from Capital Sports Massage profile), including two beverages and snacks. There were a lot of couples there, and quite a few people there for the gram as I watched them pose for their photos and then move on rather than enjoy the experience the spa had to offer. I realise that I, too, took pictures and videos, but I wanted to share my experience with everyone later. Still recovering from an asthma flare from RSV, I spent a fair amount of time in one of the steam rooms and was able to breathe deeply (without coughing) for the first time in almost three weeks. My favourite was the indoor pool with the thunderstorm; after I took my footage, I went and stood under the ‘rain’; I love the rain (when it’s not cold). They covered all sensory and auditory experiences, and I attempted each to see which ones were for me. I think if I had been there with someone, I might have stayed longer than 4 hours (I was conscious of getting at least the last train back which was 8.40 pm); there were quite a few day beds and sun loungers by the outside pools, but there is only so much time you can spend with yourself when you’re surrounded by a bunch of strangers, mostly being loved up couples (as a single person).
I left at 6.15 pm after a shower (I lost one of my black pearl earrings, which big sad but can be replaced, and I’m off the Braidwood next weekend to take it’s buddy and get another one made) and made my way back to the Duomo, walked through the mall and then thought, I think I’ve seen all I need to see and headed to the station, boarded the 7.52 pm train and arrived back in Gavirate (after watching the sunsetting through the window while finishing The Girl Who Fell From The Sky) at 9 pm.
When I returned to work on Thursday, athletes and staff asked how my time in Milan was, and I was amazed that many responded that they had never been to Milan before. I was even more shocked that nobody had been to the spa before; one of the athletes told me he had been to Gavirate 5 times and never been to Milan; not only that, he didn’t know where the Gavirate train station was (it’s a 10 min walk from the ETC). Perhaps I have opened up a new place for the athletes to retreat on their future rare half or full days off. For 79 euros (I think it’s even cheaper if you plan/book ahead), it was great value for money and an experience I couldn’t get from window shopping or buying clothes I didn’t need.
Exploring on my own was a pretty big deal for me. My first ever holiday alone was in September last year when I discovered the empowerment that comes with travelling alone. I have always lacked the confidence to navigate unfamiliar places independently. I’ve often been generally standoffish, always waiting for someone else to take the lead or go first. With the security of google maps, I knew that if I got lost, I could find my way back to where I needed to be, and the day ended up being more enjoyable than I could have imagined.
What are your travel experiences? Do you enjoy solo travel? Or do you prefer to have a companion?
Great stuff Clare! We’re they letting people on the roof of the Duomo? I’ve done one trip solo but much prefer travelling with friends.