Northern Italy VI: Milano 2 - EXPO 2015

No one's heard of EXPO 2015 outside Italy.We actually were not even aware the Expo had just opened on May 1 until we came.  But everyone here in Milan seems to talk about it. Well, we make a Maggiore decision to scrap the plan to go to the lake and instead check out what all the fuss is about. A half hour metro ride takes us to the huge Expo grounds.

Expo: Upon entering, we are greeted by massive walls of jasmine.

Expo: The site is flat, wide and long.

The theme of this Expo is "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life." It sounds very green, but reading more about it, you realize it is about food. "Expo Milano 2015 will provide an opportunity to reflect upon and seek solutions to the contradictions to our world." How do you deal with hunger and malnutrition as well as obesity? And food waste? "We need to develop sustainable lifestyles and use the best technology to create a balance between availability and consumption of resources." Some exhibits have addressed these issues well. Others seem to take the opportunity and introduce their country and culture. There is enough commercial representation here as well with food and snack booths reminiscent of a country fair.

Expo: performance at the Vietnamese Pavilion

Expo: performers at the Iranian Pavilion

Expo: Iranian Pavilion where Omar Khayam looks on

Expo: A great idea. Who needs a doner kebab?

Seeing different pavilions is like choosing rides in Disneyland. What appears to be an attractive exhibit has a long line. Not surprisingly, the size of the pavilion seems roughly proportional to the economic power of the country. (Come to think of it - I don't remember Greece.)  Some countries showcase architectural gems while many small countries seem to afford no more than a single exhibit room. We start with the humble Nepalese Pavilion at the entrance of which is a donation box for recent earthquake victims and we are happy to oblige.

Expo: The Malaysian Pavilion is one of many architectural standouts.

Expo: Ecuadorean Pavilion

Expo: the inventive Beehive that is the British Pavilion. On the left is the Hungarian Pavilion, looking to me like a Faraday cage!

Expo: Kuwait Pavilion next to the American

Expo: Qatar Pavilion

Expo: Turkish Pavilion

The Korean Pavilion is a hi-tech showcase. The interior of the Chinese Pavilion is somewhat of a disappointment. My favorites are the Spanish and the French Pavilions which totally focus on food. The German Pavilion is strangely devoid of substance. The American Pavilion is pretty decent.

Expo: Beyond the sea of marigolds is the Chinese Pavilion. Curiously there is a lack of content in the interior exhibit, although you would think there is so much to talk about Chinese food.

Expo: Entrance to the Korean Pavilion. Names of Korean and non-Korean dishes with some audience participation.

Expo: At the Korean Pavilion, HD monitors on robotic arms draw applause from the crowd.

Expo: At the Korean Pavilion, a huge ceramic jar signifies fermentation as a process for the future. Hmm.

Expo: Korean Pavilion. In case anyone wonders how many varieties of Kimchi there are.

Expo: As we exit the Korean Pavilion, we find a decent Korean restaurant.

Expo: The Spanish exhibit salutes their renowned chefs.

Expo: a virtual kitchen/table at the Spanish Pavilion

Expo: Spanish Pavilion. A room with wall-to-wall dinner plates upon which cooking scenes are projected.

Expo: Spanish Pavilion. Strawberries are growing at the exit. The Romanian cottage seen in the background with the Mexican Pavilion (and not the Australian) on right. In lower right, it could be a Plaza de los Naranjos.

Expo: In the French Pavilion, most displays are hanging from the ceiling. Ingenious.

Expo: French Pavilion. Hanging tea bags.

Expo: French Pavilion. Wine bottles hanging from the ceiling.

Expo: French Pavilion. I am glad Pasteur is acknowledged.

Expo: French Pavilion. A wine cork collection.

Expo: As you exit the French Pavilion, you can purchase chocolate croissant and such.

Expo: A the German Pavilion, the main event seems to be a fashion show. 

Expo: U.S. Pavilion. I am not sure what the version 2.0 is even after seeing the exhibit. In fact, I don't even know what v.1.0 is.

Expo: U.S. Pavilion

Expo: U.S. Pavilion. On the bottom, I see dimsum from Yank Sing in San Francisco.

There are even some hippie types of displays, or at least hip, that is.

Expo: What is the question?

Expo

Expo: SLOVEnian Pavilion

Expo: Tree of Life complete with dancing fountains in front is now fuming.

Expo: A room in the Moroccan Pavilion

Expo: a cool chair that rotates freely but feels very stable

At the end of the long day, we still have not seen more than a quarter of the places. Lines at the Italian Palazzo and the Japanese Pavilion are impossibly long. It's a shame we could not see the host country's main exhibit or the usually esthetically pleasing Japanese display. By the time we leave at 8pm, we are exhausted. Next time, whenver that may be, a multi-day pass.

Expo: from the Italian exhibit complex

Expo: from the Italian exhibit complex

Expo: the Palazzo, the main piece of the Italian exhibit, where the lines are insanely long