This weekend, C and I went to Milan for the Expo 2015. If you don't know what it is, you are not the only one. If it wasn't for  C's Milan colleagues who told us about it 6 months ago, we would be equally ignorant about it.

The Expo is a 6 months long grand fair with more than 140 participating countries According to the official website, each country has been asked to examine their role and relationship with preserving a healthy, safe and sufficient food source for everyone, while respecting the Planet and its equilibrium. We went not knowing what to expect but hoping to get inspired on what we can do as individuals.

The exhibition was massive. The area spans about what feels like 100 acres and each booth or pavilion is about the size of a football field. So walking from one end to other without stopping takes about 45 mins.  The booth structures were reflective of the cultures of the countries. A giant woven basket for Qatar, a mosque like house for Turkmenistan. You get the picture.

Turkmenistan's pavilion

Turkey's pavilion

There were long queues at every pavilion to enter and visit. I guess I should have read that part on the website about "welcoming over 20 million visitors." There was even an announcement for Japan's exhibit that the queue would take 5 hours. At the end of the day, I only managed to visit Turkmenistan, Istanbul, Romania (we had to), Moldova, Italy and the countries within the fruits and legume cluster and coffee cluster. Although, once you manage to enter a pavilion, you will view a show case the country's culture. For instance, there was a giant carpet in Turkmenistan (they are famous for woven carpets).

Coffee tasting at the Ethiopian pavilion

Degustation at the Citterio Academia

At the end of the day, as we joined the queue to get home, I wondered how close the countries kept to the theme. Apart from Slow Food, I didn't get a sense from the organisers or from the pavilions that the theme of sustainability was considered at all. To highlight this, I could find only two obvious water points to fill up my bottle and there was a queue at both. The amount of plastic I alone produced because I had to purchase bottles of mineral water is uncalled for.

On the upside, I got to know the cultures of some countries I have never even heard of. The fruit and legume cluster for instance gave a chance to countries such as Benin to make a appearance. Also, without taking an entire year off to explore Italy, this is probably the only time to experience the best of Italian food in a one place, if you can stomach all of the food. Eataly, one of the largest pavilions, brought several a pop up restaurants from every region of Italy, exploring the biodiversity of tradition and culture through food.

Was there an exchange of ideas between countries on how to create enough food to feed our future? Or is this just a lavish way to boost tourism? I am left wondering.

The Expo ends on 31 Oct. So if you are in the area, do find a day to go, maybe not on a weekend.