Omaha’s Old Market

Located just east of downtown Omaha is a shopping and restaurant district called the ‘Old Market’. A favorite of hipsters, locals and visitors will both enjoy the cute stores and wide sidewalks.

As with most of Omaha, red brick is the look of choice. On the corner of 10th and Howard is the shop that caught my eye- Tannenbaum Christmas Shop. Any flavor and color of Christmas decoration and ornament you can imagine, along with other holiday decorations as well, fill every nook and cranny of this store.
Just next door is a candy shop. It’s a small place, but I loved the large open window along the back wall which allowed visitors to watch chocolates being made by hand.

In addition to scores of yummy chocolates the shop has lots of retro candy and hand made taffy in several flavors.

Walking around the Old Market you will find stores selling winter clothing, incense and Asian imports, gifts, trendy clothing and various sundries. There are several well recommended music stores, restaurants, bars and I even saw a yoga studio. It’s a great place to pass an afternoon!

Check out www.oldmarket.com for information on stores, restaurants and especially events.

Breakfast in Milan: Zucca and Gallerie Vittorio Emanuele

Probably the most famous spot to have breakfast in Milan is Zucca, a cafe just inside Gallerie Vittorio Emanuele. This cafe has a wonderful view of the Duomo and the plaza, and one can watch thousands of tourists and Milan natives pass by as you enjoy an overpriced cappuccino and pastry. I sat for an hour, eating an amazing chocolate croissant, writing postcards and waking up to the idea that I was in Milan.

 

The view out to the piazza is crowded with people, but nonetheless inspiring.

Stepping inside the Gallerie Vittorio Emanuele, the glass ceiling takes all your attention. Despite it’s beautiful architecture, the Gallerie was really built as a shopping mall. And a mall it is, with stores so expensive I hardly dare to window shop.

Further through the Gallerie you find a famous tile mosaic on the floor, the Taurus zodiac symbol. It is said that if you step on the bulls most delicate parts you will have good luck! All day long you can find tourists and locals stopping by to give the poor bull a stomp. Some of them do a dance, others twirl around a few times, and some just pause for a second, stomp down hard, and walk off as if nothing had happened! No matter what method you choose, you’ll be sure to have onlookers.