Tuesday, June 8, 2021

Grand Tour - Milan, Italy versus Milan, Ohio

1.4 million people call Milan, Italy home.  



The city of Milan has a web site listing many, many attractions. Castles, museums, churches, twenty, yes twenty, Michelin-starred restaurants. Parks, monuments, shopping, at least twelve bicycle and e-bike touring companies. La Scala opera house. Theatres.   Find the info on Milan  at https://www.yesmilano.it/en/attractions

Wikipedia says "Milan is considered a leading alpha global city, with strengths in the fields of art, commerce, design, education, entertainment, fashion, finance, healthcare, media, services, research and tourism. Its business district hosts Italy's stock exchange (Italian: Borsa Italiana), and the headquarters of national and international banks and companies. In terms of GDP, it has the second-largest economy among EU cities after Paris, and is the wealthiest among EU non-capital cities. Milan is viewed as part of the Blue Banana and one of the "Four Motors for Europe".  I had to look up "Blue Banana."  That is the most heavily populated crescent in Europe, stretching from London to Northern Italy. 

Trip Advisor says "Fashion, design, and fine cuisine reign supreme in this oft-overlooked Italian city. One of the world's fashion capitals, Milan is often overlooked by tourists who flock to Rome, Florence, and Venice. But this gem of a city has a lot to offer, including the iconic Duomo di Milano, the world's largest—and perhaps most stunning—Gothic cathedral; the exquisite mosaics and glass vaults of Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II; and impressive museums, such as the Pinacoteca di Brera. There's also trendy restaurants, gorgeous cafes, and the longstanding Milanese tradition of aperitivo. No trip would be complete without some serious shopping, and there are multitude of options. In the evening, grab tickets to a performance at the opulent La Scala opera house."

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By contrast, Milan, Ohio has a population of 1,279 people.  It was the birthplace of Thomas Edison, and tourists do visit to see his childhood home.  It has multiple museums and galleries.  There are at least 5 restaurants, including a wine shop, a bar, a pizza place, a coffee shop, and a gourmet farm-to-table restaurant outside of town.  The downtown has maintained a small Midwestern town look and feel.  There is a large public park in the "square" downtown featuring statues of Edison at various stages of life.  There is a greenway for walking or biking just north of downtown.  It has a public library, and there are at least six churches.  


I knew that Milan, Ohio is pronounced "MY-lun" because when I was growing up listening to AM radio, CKLW Motown radio station, the Milan Dragway (in Milan, Michigan) was frequently advertized.  Being so close and in the Midwest, it is natural for the pronunciation to be the same. There's also a nearby racetrack in Norwalk, Ohio, a few miles down the road. 

As I was riding my bike around Milan, I noticed quite a few signs congratulating graduates of EHOVE.  That is the Erie, Holmes, and Ottawa Counties Vocational Education institution.  It is located in Milan. 


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