www.SavioTran.com

There is nothing like sleeping for 10 hours when you only had 2 hours the day before.

I arrived in Milan yesterday at 6am from an 8 hour long flight. The last long flight I have been on was last year to Vietnam, at least this one was bearable. Once arriving at my destination, I purchased my train ticket into the city to meet with my cousin.

It was a warm welcome from my cousin. I have not seen her in over a couple of years since she visited the states almost 3 years ago. We conversed over breakfast for a little bit, then she would be on her way to work. I tried to nap a bit before heading out to see the city but trying to nap after a cappuccino is a nightmare. After a struggle to find some shuteye, I took a map, cellphone, camera and was out the door. I left the umbrella at home which would have proved to be valuable later on.

My destination was the fashion district and Duomo. I was way too under dressed for the city. I had on a pair of faded blue jeans with a long sleeve button down and an anorak pullover with a pair of tennis shoes. It was a bullseye for tourist in this city. Bullseye in a sense that walking could be catastrophic. Being in DC gives me some comfort of cars stopping for pedestrians, here is quite the opposite. Cars win.

After nearing the loss of both my legs a couple of times, I make it to the Duomo (after a couple of detours too, I got lost). The Duomo is the biggest cathedral Milan and one of the biggest in the world. It is a architectual marvel with so much detail into every section of spires, arches, windows and doors. The last time I was here, they were in a major renovation and now they have finished with the front and now working on the spires among other things. After spending some time there, I make my way back via the fashion district…not to mention it begins to rain. Every designer is there from Prada, D&G, LV, Armani, etc, the list goes on.

I make my way through without stopping and proceed to head back home. At this point it begins to thunderstorm and I am without an umbrella…not sure it would have made a difference. I make it back, late for Happy Hour and drenched from head to toe.

From here I take a bus to Bergamo to visit my Aunt for a couple days then off to London. Talk to you then.

I just thought I take this time from packing procrastination to write an email.

What’s worse than packing for a trip? I don’t think there could be anything else…well, maybe planning. Just a week ago, I did not have any plans on where I was going or where I was staying but somehow I managed to throw together a potpourri of planes, trains and hotels. Presto! Trip planned! So what does my trip entail?

It starts off in Milan, Italy, the fashion capital of the world. I’m there, more so, for seeing my cousins than anything else. I couldn’t really tell the difference between Chanel and Coach anyway

Then off to London to see Big Ben, National Museum, Tower of London, and of course, my favorite, Elizabeth Hurley. We’re getting married in Buckingham Palace after all

After the wedlock, I fly to Vienna and spend a few days there exploring Hofburg, Sisi and Leopold museums. Of course, being awed in its architecture.

From there I take the train to Prague, a city of the old and new. A city that has flourished since the fall of the Iron Curtain.

The trip ends in Paris. The perfect ending to what I hope will be an excellent trip.

That’s a basic summary of my trip which starts tomorrow and have nothing in my suitcase currently. I do have my book selection already though. That’s very important. A good trip needs good books (see attachment).

I’ll will poke in from time to time to tell you how things are going. Until then,

Ciao!

I’m really looking forward to this trip. Three out of the four cities I have yet to see, Milan being the one I have visit. That’s where my trip where originate. My cousin is currently residing there and I will be spending some time with her. I have not seen her in a couple of years but seem ages ago. She’s made it to the states more than I have made it to Italy so I’m working on keep it balanced.

So far I have no idea where I’m headed to first, what I plan to see or do. Actually, I’m kidding. There are tons of things I want to see: Effiel Tower, London National Art Gallery, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Tennis French Open, Prague Castle, Louvre Museum, St. Vitus, Notre Dame and so many other things to list. There’s no set agenda and maybe I’ll have some tentative to go by. Right now, I’m playing it by ear.

I traveled to Vietnam to unlock a mystery. Not only a mystery but a discovery in one’s self of origin and identity. It seems so long ago but it’s memory vividly etched into my mind: the beauty, the history and the people. How can I not forget? The time I’ve spent there has inspired me. It has added depth. The curiosity that always lingered of “what it would be like” is gone. I am eager to return…next year.

when you wake up in the morning, that’s definitely some good stuff. For the past week, my alarm clock has been asking me, “Why don’t you have me set”? It’s been nice to shut it down and shut it up. Routinely, I still get up a little later than what Father Time has in store but not waking up with it, whips ass. I’ve lacked sleep over the years along with bouts of insomnia which I guess have caught up with this tired soul. Travels across time zones didn’t help much either. Give a little, take a little, I suppose.

Maybe this is starting a trend but probably not. There’s things to be done. I’m my alarm clock’s bitch again, starting tomorrow morning.

to the site. I thought it would be a little fun addition. I’ll update it every now and then, or when I get the chance. I was just skimming through some folders of pictures and happened to stumble upon numerous video clips I have taken. Hope you all enjoy! Stay tuned!

Videos 

One of her best songs in my opinion. She should stick with this style and keep her look, especially in this video.

I’ve been wanting to go for the past 2 years but haven’t planned it out as well as I thought.

Two years ago, it was travel:  How was I going to get there?  What days would I go?

Last year it was:  How am I going to get tickets?

This year:  Travel schedule planned.  Arrangements for hotel or housing almost done.  Got all the people together.

Only one thing left…tickets…

Well, let’s say I had my chances.  First chance of scoring tickets were via the USTA.  I haven’t been a member in ages.  Scratch that.  Second chance came early last week for being an AMEX member.  There was a special sale for American Express card holders.  So thinking to myself, great, this is my chance! Wrong.  Denied again.  I was a little late getting to a computer.  Tickets were out, yet again.  So as it stands right now, I was 0 for 2 and fading fast.  Last chance was public sale yesterday.  I call up Andrew, who if we both had tennis commentator jobs, he’d be my sidekick.  We work up a game plan and schemed to be online at 0900hrs sharp.

I promptly called him and we both got online, literally a minute before tickets were released.  We planned for Saturday matches for Ashe Stadium (this also gives you Grounds Admissions) and evening matches for Sunday but yet again we were denied for Saturday Day sessions.  The wait times were ridiculous and only led us to the same conclusion…No fucking tickets.  We were able to score Sunday evening tickets so it wasn’t all a loss.  There’s still work to be done but at least we’ll see something.

I guess the subject title is an understatement.  I haven’t really updated since I came back from Vietnam and so much has happened.  I still have tons of pictures I still want to post along with thoughts to share.  I will get to them this weekend and I will.  That’s my word.