Milan has become my home.

The first years were really difficult, coming from Tel Aviv I found Milano somehow closed, extremely conservative and not very welcoming, but the years have passed, the city has opened up and has seen the arrival of new young and dynamic initiatives, it has been cleaned up, it has become more beautiful. 

Parks are now frequented and respected, finally people live the streets and squares (in 1999 I did not dream of seeing a couple sitting in the square with a bottle of wine and two glasses brought from home to sip wine and eat an open-air pizza, obviously leaving no trace after ... what a beauty!).

In Milan I chose and managed to build a life, a family, find a space in which to live and work while maintaining a good quality of life.

There would still be much to do, for example, a dream would be to become a pioneer city for sustainability (also to combat the problem of pollution).

The city has beautiful museums, it would be wonderful to also have many high-level exhibitions, but anyway of all the big cities where I could live for my work, Milan is the only place I would call home.

Honestly I did not choose the neighborhood but the house and initially I was so sorry to leave Paolo Sarpi, where I lived before.

But in Benedetto Marcello (Porta Venezia / Tadino) I discovered the beauty of being close to everything, living in a central place but still feeling like a neighborhood where you greet your neighbors on the street.

The Indro Montanelli Gardens are beautiful and just a stone's throw from home, in Porta Venezia. which has become a rainbow neighborhood there is never a lack of movement, energy is always on the streets.

It also offers a multi-ethnic culinary variety and shows the inclusive side of Milan.

The book-shops and art galleries of via Tadino are beautiful and between via Morgagni and via Benedetto Marcello there are nice neighborhood initiatives just to try to bring the people of the neighborhood out, to live the streets of the area and get to know each other not only through the keyboard and social media.

I'm not a creature of habit, and luckily the area offers many different things to live and see.

First of all, Porta Venezia looks like the pastry district: from the neighborhood one, Rovida, to the more eclectic (almost surreal) San Gregorio, to the more 'fashionable' ones: Pave' and Gelsomina.

Grabbing a coffee: at the Orso Nero or Pause (or always from Rovida, to meet with neighbors and talk about plans for the neighborhood), while Bar Basso remains the preferred option for an aperitif or after dinner drinks.

To watch art exhibitions: at the Gio Marconi gallery, and at Arte Invernizzi.

The various bookstores along via Tadino are places to get lost and find yourself among the pages of old or new books.

The Children's Library makes readings for children of all ages (because Milano Baby Friendly also wants its part!).

Manicure and Pedicure: at Violette.

And then the food: a vegan lunch from Alhambra, Korean from Gaya or Miga, Indian from Just India, Italian from Sabbioneda, Chinese from Lon Fan, Swedish from Björk.

And last but not least, ice cream: at Gelato Giusto, at Terra or a Sicilian granita at the Bar Pasticceria Sicilia.