QUICK FACTS
- The world Expo has 145 pavillions set up on the grounds. 143 are dedicated to individual countries and the remaining three are the UN, CERN, and the European Commission.
- The expo is on display for 6 months and there is an expected 23 million visitors.
- Universal Expos take place every five years.
- The Eiffel Tower was built for Expo.
- Each Expo has a theme to identify world problems.
EXPO 2015
This years Expo was hosted in Milan, Italy. The theme for this year is Feeding the Planet, Energy for life. Pavilion Zero is solely focused on the earth, energy, and food. This pavilion identifies the levels of food production around the world. Here many problems with world hunger and waste are also identified. Having taken AP Environmental Science really helped me appreciate this pavilion more than the average. Aside from the amazing set up and use of technology, the pavilion was accomplished without putting people down for the waste but rather showing different ways waste can be used to help make a more sustainable earth.
As I said, this years expo focused on food, so naturally we ate (probably more than we should have), but we also walked a very significant amount (I have scares on my feet from blisters to prove it). It is hard to remember every country we visited because we did walk through a bunch, but I will try my best.
Our first stop was to the Belgium pavilion where we enjoyed Belgium waffles, beers, and fries. What a combination.
In the Chocolate district of expo we went through Cuba, which to no surprise at all was a little hut filled with Caribbean music and mojitos. We went through Switzerland and the lindt chocolate mini factory to get a firsthand look at the creation of such famous chocolate.
For lunch we went through the China pavilion and stopped to eat at the more traditional Chinese restaurant.
Probably my favorite pavilion of the day was Spain. It was a light show throughout the building. Lights were reflecting off of hundreds of plates that covered the walls, floors, and ceilings.
The English Pavilion highlighted bees. This pavilion had a steel structure that was made to resemble a honey comb.
The United States pavilion highlighted the many different types of food that are present from barbecue to food truck stands.
In Germany the pavilion focused on food production of the future.
For a snack we stopped in EATaly for gelato and saw the tree of life light show.
Every country, although sticking to the common theme of food, was very unique in every aspect of the structures and the presentation. All of the effort put into Expo was truly portrayed.
One of the very unique pavilions was a "supermarket of the future". Down the isle of the super market there were flat screen tvs all connected to xbox connects. when you point to a food on the isle the tv pulls up the food and shows all nutritional value of the food. I also got to try some coca-cola life while in this supermarket. All of the pavilions were fantastic.
At the end of the day we had the opportunity to see a mini Cirque Du Soleil performance. Although it was only half the time of a regular shop it was phenomenal. I can honestly say I was in awe of their abilities the whole time.
All of the many MANY blisters that hindered my ability to walk the following days were well worth all of the sights I saw and countries I visited while at EXPO 2015. If you ever have the chance to go to an expo I highly recommend it.
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