One Hundred and Sixty Four

Milan Mission, Italy.

bergamo airporto

So Milan. Milan is Fucking Rad. Myself and the crew comprising of Userscott, Vivo, Frainey, Sam and Urbanfox decided to bag in on more cheap flights to random locations in Europe. Ryanair saw us land around 11pm at Bergamo Airport. Now, Bergamo Airport is dead in the middle of the awesome Italian Alps and the fashion capital, Milan. My penchant for the cold isn't strong, we had flown out with small backpacks fitted only with sleeping bags, cameras and sweets. Milan favoured, a bargain €8.50 return coach ticket away.

Sede Regione Lombardia, Skyscraper

artist render

The coach pulled into Milan's bus station, sleeping spots were shotgunned and we followed the bright lights and concrete that pierced the city's skyline. The Sede Regione Lombardia had captured our sights before we had even jumped off the coach. A tour through the red light district prepared us all for ultimate rooftop pornography. It was nearing 1am, a quick walk around the perimeter, and boom, we were in. 39 Stories separated us from the top. The lifts were still incomplete, one and a half thousand steps later, we enjoyed the warm breeze of Italian air fresh from the Alps. Two hours into our trip and we'd already stolen the raddest view over the entire city. Shit Is real.

scott, frainey and fox stumblin on the very top


pure epin

Torre-Via-Vittor-Pisani-ii, Skyscraper

Pisani II

By the time we'd descended, it was nearing 3am. We headed to Gardini Publicci (Public Gardens) off Bastionni di Porta Venezia Road, The Gardens were shut at night and would make a good place to sleep. Passed out bums had already got the best sleep-spots. We woke early, to a Mario and Luigi watering the grass and tending to flowers within the gardens. It was 6am, the city was already hustlin', so why weren't we?

scaff

not so publicci gardin (Regio in the background)

The Pisani ii is the second tallest building in Milan. Scaffolding littered the fascia of the building, It would have been practically rude not to right? A spur of the moment decision found my sore feet dragging me into the building's underground carpark. Vivo, Sam and Frainey behind me followed, half asleep as I was. We entered the first lift and up we went 20 floors. The building was easy to get lost in. There were many staircases, client lifts and goods/freight lifts. We took two more different lifts and proceeded to the top via swirling art deco staircases. The very top door was locked, fuck. We descended 5 floors before making a cheeky exit via a window onto the scaffolding.

Uiuo - Central Station

As we headed through the tinfoil-like trapdoors on the scaffold, we soon emerged at the very top, fully being able to appreciate the view without the sepia toned pigeon netting... Holy wastegash, forget the view, there's a fucking garden on here! A garden with plush grass, marble statues and benches were displayed in a geometric array. A small oval shaped building stood in the middle, with various antenna emerging from its utmost point. We photographed and enjoyed the view for a mere 4 minutes, until an Italian woman appeared, evidently pissed that four english pig-dogs were standing in her garden. A swift exit down the scaffolding and into the building was made. The cops in their Alpha Romeos didn't bat an eyelid as we ran out of the foyer laughing!

wow, this shit is high

Al Bergo Gallia, Hotel

central station & plaza

fraindawg

After a glorious baby-wipe shower and nutritious breakfast in McDonald's, we headed to the main central train station. Fuck me, It's insane. Our first hotel of the trip was hit, The Al Bergo Gallia. A 5 star joint, pretty swish with dark mahogany laced furniture, and none other than red carpets lining the hallways. A glorious ballroom dominated the top floor, and we quickly found rooftop access in the fire-escape. The hotel delivered views of Milan Central Station and the Plaza surrounding it. The rest of the day was spent visiting national places of interest, and riding round the city on Scotts Rent-a-bike.

litesateliiteslsls

Gallia-ccess


the ballroom

Hotel Principe Di Savoia

Toward the evening, plans were made to hit another rooftop and find an adequate place to sleep. We first checked out a hotel called The Western Palace, sneaking past the reception staff and porters, our phones to our ears holding fake conversations to avoid being interrupted (ask frainey, its a tried, tested & successful technique). Other than the fact it was a cool hotel (4star), the roof access was locked. Directly opposite stood Hotel Principe Di Savoia, a 5 star hotel approximately 15 stories high. High fives were instantly deployed as we successfully found rooftop access. This would be the raddest sleep-spot ever!

concierge whut


<3


check the polystrene!

We awoke to the morning sun over Milan on the roof. It was 6am, this would be the perfect time to escape, the metro entrance was quite near the hotel. It made a good sae haven if we were clocked. Our large bed was disassembled (made with several large sheets of polystyrene and hotel towels), legged it through the air vent littered rooftop and made our way out of the hotel. The biggest smile hit my face as we'd once again bagged a rad rooftop sleep spot.

airvent dash

Fiera Campionaria, Conference/Exhibition Hall

metrometro

Maps out, we hit the Milan Metro with €3 day passes for more random finds. We jumped two trains to a large area of Red on the map. It looked like a touristy place, so why the hell not. The entire place was a huge demolition site! 90% of the buildings were now sand and rubble. One large building still stood on site. It appeared to be an exhibition hall. We hit up a supermarket for Gelato and Ice tea and decided busting into the site would be a good idea. Once again, launching Sams 70 litre backpack over the wall, we stuck to the inside fence and jumped in through a blasted area of wall. It was fucking huge! After busting out 5-stop HDRs we hit the roof, following the ladders leading up to the dome of the hall, delivering rad views all around.

grande


sneaky


panoramius conferium


fucken Dubai

Milan, what a place, I hope to visit again, And maybe hit up the Metro sytem. Massive shouts to Scott, Vivo, Frainey, Sam and Fox. Definitely rating in at one of the best trips i've had. Shouts to the the Pilot on the way there for providing turbulence better than any theme park ride, the hobo's of Milan for inspiring me with innovative sleep-spots, YouTube for teaching me the only Italian I know (Cornuto, look it up), The Milan Water-Utilities for putting freshwater taps all over the city, Rent-A-Bikes, Fast Cars, Mario & Luigi, Sexy Italian Ladies, Gelato, Huge shopping malls, Rad architecture, Rooftop Gardens, Polystyrene and ofcourse... The Scottish Wastegash Cuntbag on both flights. You sir, are a rare breed and I wish you'd fly with Easyjet, They deserve cunts like you!

You can probably catch some of Vivos stuff on the Torre-Via-Vittor-Pisani-ii on his site. Peace, Paix.

Ends.