This is a tough one to start with… It is now the third attempt to get the intro to the blog right…

Background: they have an Expo in Milano and the official title is: “Feeding the Planet; Energy for Life”. So far so good – that’s interesting, promising and contains a lot of Zeitgeist… The only problem is that you cannot see / feel / hear a lot while being at the Expo. Most countries take it as a simply sales show for their tourism board and even sell souvenirs like bracelets, scarfs, etc. – this is really, really sad. Especially when you have to pay 35 € / person to get in. Well, I assume the forebodings have been warning enough with the huge engagement of the food industry in the event, etc. Somehow I don’t like the idea that companies like Coca-Cola, McDonalds, agro producers, etc. have booths like a country at an Expo. It should be more informative, better arranged, whatever. So in case you want to go there – be warned… It’s lousy, touristic, crowded and just some parts really worth going to.

Enough complained, let’s try to embrace the positive side

I liked this sign in our hotel – somehow the entry is so inconspicuous that you need the extra sign… 

The national show of I believe Turkmenistan

I told you it’s a tourism board event…

Totally different was the English Pavilion. First you meander through meadows (at head height)

And then you are standing in front of a structure constructed like a beehive

Totally flexible and dynamic

Inside it’s very cool (well, compared to the 34° outside) and the view upwards is amazing

I like this one

People are streaming in

The next outstanding pavilion was Spain. Everything about food, planting, eating – wonderful arrangement, to the point, in theme and just lovely! Well done!!

The huge LCD panel was illuminated with different fruit, spices, food, etc.

In this room projections were done on the plates in the wall

really stunning

Outside water was drizzling down a mesh

Creating a beautiful backlit screen

Inside the Russian show there was pure boasting

The (according to their descriptions) most progressive, nature caring, loving country of the world where milk and honey flow (now, I made this one up) – politics at work

Their food lab – cool show, yet I have to say I prefer a cosy kitchen

Dada… and the entrance – huge, shiny, massive

Very cheeky is the placement next to the all wood pavilion of Estonia considering the current political climate Especially the flag pole which nearly enters Estonian territory (it’s perhaps 5cm from the border)  

At least the bear was great at the Slovakian pavilion! You really needed that after the first half

Korea (well, South of course) had a nice show with robots

A kind of “we can solve all health problems (including obesity, grown in horns and nails, etc. ) with our food”

So the two robots worked in sync to show the panels

the black stripes are the interlace my camera captured – there is nothing wrong with your eyes

It is always astonishing to see two robots do these things

At the exit then illuminated (LCD again) pots with food and with the mirrors extended to infinity – nice display

Sunset behind translucent bars

I had to capture this one

Well done (like in cooking ) – what a day. Hot, loads of walking, etc.

On the way back to Saronno by train

Have you ever seen some 40 l of water coming out of an air condition? No? Well, it’s quite impressive…