Fan of the Italian singer Vasca? You're twice in luck. He's singing at San Siro, tonight, AND ATM has improved the public transportation for the event. Trams, the metro and parking lots will be in service a bit longer than usual. Back home from the concert, hole up in your house, or office, for four days: Men's Fashion Week begins, tomorrow (I shouldn't complain...it's always a bit less hectic than the one for women's clothes, and it's a good showcase for Italian products, and, hence, the economy. Speaking of money...More......
...if you're a visiting the Duomo as a tourist, and not as a worshipper (don't try to be sneaky!), you'll be asked to put your hand into your wallet to help pay the upkeep and maintenance expenses...as soon as they can figure out how to separate the "sheep" from the "goats."
"But it's a church!," I can hear you complain.
I remember the first time I bumped into this situation, and I was outraged, too.
But then I got to thinking about it.
First of all, I *am* visiting it, as if it were a museum.
Second, I always drop a Euro, or two, into the box--when available!!!--for the upkeep of the church, but evidently not everyone does, and even churches have to pay electric bills and the wages for the guardians and sweepers.
And the Duomo of Milan costs FIFTEEN MILLION EUROS A YEAR JUST FOR DAY-TO-DAY MAINTENANCE AND ITS 130 EMPLOYEES.
So, don't begrudge the few Euros that you will be asked to pay.
You'll help to repair the gorgeous marble floors, for one thing, worn continuously by all those shuffling touristy feet.
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