For the next week, I will be attending the Expo Milano 2015!
If you read my previous post, you know my host dad is here as a host chef for the Etihad Pavilion.
But what exactly is the expo?
Expo Milano 2015 is the Universal Exhibition that Milan, Italy, is hosting from May 1 to October 31, 2015. Over this six-month period, Milan becomes a global showcase where more than 140 participating countries show the best of their technology that offers a concrete answer to a vital need: being able to guarantee healthy, safe and sufficient food for everyone, while respecting the Planet and its equilibrium. In addition to the exhibitor nations, the Expo also involves international organizations, and expects to welcome over 20 million visitors to its 1.1 million square meters of exhibition area.
So it's a universal exposition and it is held in
different locations every few years. The one is 2020 will be held in Dubai. Now
I'm just going to reiterate the official description. So Milan was chosen as the location for the international expo for 2015, each country came and built their own
personalized building that represents their national culture. Some are more
extravagant then others. What gets me is that these are incredible, permanent, buildings are only going to be used for six months. You go around and visit each "pavilion" and
see what they have to offer. Some have interactive experiences, others restaurants,
cafes, gift shops, art, artifacts, etc, etc. I have only been here two days and I love it! I
mean, do I love anything more than international experiences and environmental
sustainability (especially in food production)? No. There is so much to do, and it is not only countries, but
corporations and organizations too.
One cool thing that I love is that you can
purchase a "passport" and every pavilion has a stamp. So
you go around, visit the pavilion, and get your passport stamped! What a
beautiful way to remember the expo. Another cool thing is that I have my own
official participant/staff badge that I am totally obsessed with. It involved a
lot of sweat, tears, blood and possible legal action, but momma I made it and
I'm totally VIP (not really, but the badge says I can pretend).
Below is a picture of
all the participants in case you're interested. Click the link to open another window with the Expo website.
Honestly, it is just hitting me what an awesome experience this will be! Since I will be here for almost a week, I am hoping to make a map/route of all the countries too hit. If you read my previous post, travel traumas, maybe this will be a chance to redeem myself and get some keychains/postcards/magnets. We will see.
I took some pictures of some of the pavilions, but I rather wait to make a more descriptive post of my experience. And when my passport is full ;). Also mi Mexico lindo y querido is there and although I walked 1000 miles today to snap a picture, I hope to get a chance to go inside. The lines are just so long. Oh well. Hope I post again soon!
