Ciao a tutti!. – October kicked off with a cozy dinner near Duomo. It was one of those rainy days where the temperature was just right – not too cold, not too warm – and the company was even better. Let’s just say it was the kind of evening that leaves you smiling for no specific reason. It was the perfect way to welcome the new month.

The next day, I met up with my friend from Argentina for an aperitivo. We spent hours catching up on everything – the highs and lows of summer, how life is shifting as we move into fall, and our new routines.

 Nostalgia, and Chestnuts
With the weather cooling but not yet freezing, I started taking long walks around Milan. I wandered into parts of the city I hadn’t explored yet and stumbled upon little surprises, like roasted chestnuts near Duomo. They instantly took me back to my childhood in Spain, where chestnuts were a fall tradition. I got hooked, let’s just say chestnuts became my October addiction – I couldn’t resist buying them three times a week! No regrets.

A Lebanese Feast in Heels,  Markets and Panettone
After months of waiting, my friend and I finally made good on our promise to try Lebanese food. It was worth the wait! I even dusted off my heels for the occasion – a monumental effort, but totally justified by the incredible hummus, falafel, and other dishes.

On another walk, I discovered a local street market bought the most incredible pesto I’ve ever tasted. I don’t know if it was the fresh ingredients or the fact that it felt like a hidden gem, but wow. – Finding it again is now on my Milan bucket list.

And then there was panettone.Spotting rows of this beloved Christmas treat in the supermarket filled me with joy. Panettone reminds me of Christmas with my family, and it’s way cheaper here than in Sweden. You already know I’m stocking up before I head back.

Residence Life: Cards and Laughter
This month I spent more time at the residence and it was worth it. My housemates taught me how to play with the Sicilian cards, which turned into late-night laughter sessions in a mix of Italian and English. It was chaotic, hilarious, and exactly what I needed.

Reunions, Football, and a Classic Victory
This month was also about reconnecting with old friends. One of my high school friends stopped by Milan during a layover, and we had a wonderful time catching up over pasta. Then, a volunteer friend from Rome visited, and we shared aperitivo and stories from our respective projects and experiences. 

And then, there was El Clásico. As a Barcelona fan, this match had me on edge. I watched it in a bar in Navigli with a bunch of other Spanish fans – mostly Barcelona supporters, thankfully. We won 4-0, It was pure magic, and I couldn’t sleep that night from all the excitement. It felt like the perfect end to an already amazing week.

Halloween Madness
I wrapped up October with my first-ever Halloween in Milan. The city was alive – people in costumes, parties everywhere. It was chaotic, vibrant, and so different from what I’m used to. Milan definitely knows how to keep the party going.

A Sweet Ending
As the month wrapped up, I received the best news: my father is visiting me in November. I haven’t seen him since May, so I’m already planning our time together but that’s a story for November. Stay tuned for next month.