Oh, also, it turns out the huge thunderstorms we're seeing have caused the worst flooding seen by Milan in decades. It's on all the news. So, when we finally made it back to the apartment, the electricity had been knocked out. Not that an excuse was needed to re-visit 'l Angelo di Abruzzo, that restaurant down the street with the really good tortelini en brodo...

But, back to the streetcars! They were derived from the American Peter Witt model, and were the first city streetcars to travel on rails in the streets of any Italian town. The Untiring MK-1500s, which have been in service since 1928, have proven exceptionally sturdy and reliable, which I suppose goes without saying since they're still in use! In fact, there are 150 1500s still in use, 10 of which are being used in San Francisco, giving personality to the F-Market line. Rumour has it that when San Francisco kept calling up Milan and asking to buy more and more of these cars, Milan decided to start putting more of them back in service in their own town, in hopes pleasing the tourists. [further F-Market reading: StreetCar.org]

[ Yes, the rumour is true: I was run over by a taxi in San Francisco as soon as I got back. ]

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