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We are focusing on building a community, bringing the Mortal Muses photographers together, and making the world a bit smaller. On this page, you will find mission: MUSE, muse university and special features.

Monday, October 11, 2010

where i live - vedano al lambro, milan, italy


When we moved to Italy for my work assignment, we didn't choose where we live based on the surrounding amenities, we chose based on the location of my son's school. We combined the location of the school, my commute to work, and the fact that we would only have one car for the assignment to help us choose where we would live. We've since discovered that our choice of locations has one of the most fabulous benefits imaginable - we are right next to the Parco di Monza (Monza Park). The Monzese are quite proud to tell you that Parco di Monza is the largest walled park in Europe, and at over 688 acres this park is larger than most other urban parks, walled or not. Established as a public park in 1806, it was once the grounds of the King of Italy's summer residence, and boasts the Villa Reale, literally the "Royal Villa", along with the Monza Autodromo, host to motorsport events including Formula One.



But those are just stats, and don't even begin to describe what I love about the park. Entering the park is like crossing a magical threshold. You leave the urban world behind, where the population density here has us living on top of each other in apartment buildings and cars crowding the streets, and find yourself in an altogether different place. It is an oasis of nature, providing rejuvenation of the mind and body. I love the tree-lined paths, that provide refreshing shade in the hot summer months, and wonderful light filtering through them year-round. I love seeing the groups of joggers out for their morning run together, a dog and it's owner playing fetch in the field near Lo Scrittore (a sculpture of a giant desk and chair), a solitary horseback rider trotting along a river path. I love hearing the birds twittering, the squirrels chattering, and the sound of church bells in the distance, ringing on the hour. There is a peace and beauty in this place that I find hard to put into words.



On the weekends in the Spring and Summer, the park is a lively place. Thousands of city-dwellers from all around come to the park in large groups of family and friends, stake out a spot and hang out for the day. Barbeques, volleyball, music, laughter, bicycles and strollers fill the park... everyone trying to get a little fix of nature in our concrete world. I'm one of the lucky ones, though, because I live across the street from this place. I get to see and experience the park almost every day. Rain or shine or snow, you will find me walking the paths of this park, refreshing my spirit. My mailing address says that I live in Vedano al Lambro, but the address of my heart is Parco di Monza, Italy.


If you would like to see more of Parco di Monza and where I live in Italy, stop by my blog.


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We would love to see where you live. If you would like to join in, send an email to mortalmuses [at] yahoo.com.

14 comments:

  1. wow what a wonderful post, it sounds such an amazing place to have on your doorstep and your photographs are beautiful. I so enjoyed reading it, thankyou.

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  2. beautiful photos and post. thank you for that lovely view into the park. parks are such an important refuge when you live in a big city...i think i would spend a lot of time there too!

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  3. Love the snow shots. They made me sigh, pure magic.

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  4. Oh! The snow shots are stunning! I can "hear" the silence....

    Beautiful!

    Running over to your blog now!

    Ciao!


    Andree

    www.onlindenway.com

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  5. I have a feeling everyone reading this will want to pack their bags and head to your park for a nice long visit.

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  6. Don't be surprised if I show up on your doorstep one day soon, Kat. Just gorgeous.

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  7. thank you for sharing your park. your post paints a fabulous picture even without the photos (which are amazing)

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  8. Such beautiful images of your special place. The park sounds fantastic--I will put it on my list of places to visit in Italy.

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  9. Oh wow! Those snow pictures are just staggering. I adore Italy, but have never paid much attention to the north. I hope to rectify this soon!

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  10. What beautiful images of what sounds like a magical place. I agree, the snowy photos are amazing. What a wonderful thing to live near that place. And how lucky we are for you to share it with us.
    One day I may get back to Italy . . . untill then, I enjoy it through your photos and posts.
    ♥ maureen

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  11. wow, these pictures are beautiful!

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  12. This was a wonderful trek into your world--loved it!

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  13. So very beautiful, Kat! I loved to see where you live.

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