Milan, Italy – A day off in Milan, Italy and it’s time for everyone to let their hair down and explore a bit.
Team Stolz submitted these photos. A little fun on the bus ride to the ice rink. Jordan is sporting a mullet, a la, Jorrit Bergsma who is a 4-time Olympic medalist. According to Olympic.com, the skater has a group of followers called ‘The Matties’ and they come to the competitions wearing headbands and sporting mullets. Click HERE to read more.
There is a lot of flair at the #WinterOlympics and finally found some great representation from the USA. Cameron and Aubry Peterson from Rockwall, Texas. The pair showed off their patriotism dressed as Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty. “We get asked to pose for pictures a lot…. from all countries and we’ve been on TV a couple times,” said Cameron.
On a side note:
- One of the unique things a few people know about my travels – I’m an avid postcard sender. Absolutely LOVE relaying adventures via postcards – even though one stamp to the USA is about €3. It’s also a convenient diary of my tour as friends relish in receiving the card and then regift it upon my return.
- Where am I staying you ask? I found a cozy studio apartment in Amendola; it’s on the west side of Milan and super close to everything. I’m a block away from the underground rail, 20 minutes by rail to the ice skating rink, 15 minutes by rail to the Duomo, and 6 blocks from the media center. On Sunday I walked 30 minutes and found an outdoor market – which featured a bicycle-repair stand, tubs of olives, and beautiful produce. All I really wanted was one orange. The vendor, who was minus English, kept saying “One kilo.” Finally we figured each other out and he eagerly gifted me one orange… probably so I would kindly leave. Yes.. I did offer him money and he declined with a ‘shoe shoe – get outta here’ hand motion.
- ‘Abs are made in the kitchen’ according to my friend Liz at A1 Health & Fitness… but NOT today as there was a line outside Rigoietto’s Gelato stand. A shoebox of a store. Four people and two kids could smoosh inside the entry. I ordered 2 scoops and a little whipped cream on top, just to make it fancy.
- PS – the owner spoke excellent English. Almost with a hint of New York. He said his mother was an English teacher. He grew up in Tuscany. (I get a LOT out of my 2-minute interactions with people.)
Attended Ash Wednesday Mass at a very ornate parish, Chiesa Parrocchiale di Santa Maria Segreta. The seat of the pew was wood and the kneeler was attached to the seat in front. The elderly in the congregation all sat up front. During communion I found out why, as the heat vent was right below their section. Also – even though it was Ash Wednesday, the priest did not distribute ashes.
- Outside the National Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo da Vinci there was a bascilica, but in front the area was a huge work site. The docent inside the museum said contractors uncovered a tomb. She didn’t know much more than that. But pretty cool, kind of like finding the remains of King Richard III in a car park.
- The robot at the media center was one of my favorites. It appeared to be one of Elon Musk’s early models. Clunky footsteps, not a runner, and NOT a good listener. (see video)
- Speedskater Jordan Stolz has two more races at the #WinterOlympics. He skates the 1500m on Thursday, Feb. 19, and the Mass Start on Saturday, Feb. 22. Then it’s off to ISU World Cup Allrounds in Heerenveen which run March 5 – 8, 2026.
