Meanderings from Milan

Well after spending a week and a bit in Muslim countries it was nice to arrive in Italy (Milan) where I have a sense of belonging and connection via my parents. Italy is obviously NOT a Muslim country although we did see the occassional hijab clad women in the streets. Our last night together with our team was spent in Milan central which included a brief visit to the magnificent "Duomo di Milano" or for those not fluent in Italian :-), the "Dome of Milan".

This is a magnificent old gothic type cathedral that is very imposing and a huge open square at the front that is obviously a meeting place similar to our Fed Square. I say obviously because to the right of this magnificent historic church was a HUGE screen that was showing commercials etc. I imagine it is also used to show sporting events. However, unlike the screen at Fed Square that tends to blend in with the modern design style of the buildings, this monstrosity of technology was just an unwelcome eyesore. Ugghh! The good news though was that the cathedral has undergone a really good clean and it is now back to the white stone that it originally was and not the grimy grey stone that I remember it from my last visit. Maybe the commercials playing on the huge screen were paying for these refurbishments. I can kind of accept it if that is the case.

I was walking back to my hotel the next day and saw this sign in a bookshop window.

The words read...

It has a word for everyone.

She is holding a Bible.

What a great sentence! It doesn't say "It has a word for every Christian." It says it is for everyone. As I travel around the various parts of my region and see the various faiths that are evident in the various countries, I guess this is a great sentence to keep in mind.

I am typing this from the lounge in Singapore on my way home after two weeks travelling. It will be nice to get home to my loved ones although I have my mother with me at the moment who has travelled back from Italy with me after spending 5 weeks in Europe. It's made this return leg a little "different" and lots more enjoyable.

Blessings to all.