Flying Solo

This weekend seemed to be the weekend of unsuccessful plans.If anyone was going anywhere, it seemingly didn't quite workout the way they had planned--or in some cases, they didn't plan at all. I was supposed to go hiking in Tuscany, but I wasn't packed, no one made departure plans, and the whole thing got really confusing. Then, I was going to tag along with some girls going to the Celtic festival in Bologna for St. Patrick's Day. Except that got sort of complicated and I don't think anyone went to the Celtic festival at all... But I was determined to do SOMETHING and go SOMEWHERE this weekend, so I took the train alone to Bologna and saw some of the sites by myself. I did have a pretty enjoyable time, though, if you neglect the fact that I didn't have anyone to talk to pretty much all day, well... unless you wanted me to talk to Sir Stu and get committed to an asylum...

Somehow, I don't think that would have been a very nice end to my day. I did get to see a lot, though, and all without having to worry about another person!

Piazza Nettuno

There is a bit of a story behind this fountain/sculpture, according to my guidebook (which I should mention, recommended a restaurant that does not exist 1 year after the copyright... so, I guess take it with a grain of salt!). Pope Pius IV took exception to Neptune's (Nettuno's) package and made the sculptor, Giambologna, downsize it... except Giambologna took exception to the pope's exception, and sneakily restructured the statue so that Neptune's original package is still on view from the steps located behind and a bit to the left of the statue. Really, it's just Neptune's gesticulating hand, but I guess if you squint and erase the fingers... you can kind of see why the pope would be upset. 

I also got to see the former seat of the first university in the western world--the University of Bologna. The Palazzo Archiginnasio, besides being really cool because of all the shields and seals that decorate the walls and ceilings (basically graffiti from students in the 16th century who wanted to honor their professors and other students at the university), also houses the Teatro Anatomico, the old med-student hang out where they used to perform dissections.

Yeah, that white slab? That's marble... and the old dissection table. Of course, not the original because a bomb was dropped on the courtyard of Palazzo Archiginnasio and this room had to be repaired after all the damage.

Sir Stu liked this place a lot too. He felt like he fit in.

I also got to pay 3 euro to climb 468 narrow, rickety wooden stairs for a very nice view of Bologna. 

............................

Worth it.

The really funny thing to watch were the couples climbing the tower. All the men were upfront, kind of breathing a bit heavier than usual and irritated that their female companion was lagging about 20 steps behind, breathing like she just ran a marathon, sweating, clutching the railing and grumbling. LOL! 

The highlight of my trip, though, would probably have to be the food. I found a pizza too big for me to finish in 1 sitting--and too big for the plate they served it on!!--and quite possibly the world's best gelato. Seriously, I wish they had this shop in Jersey... hell, I'd even settle for just Ferrara! Of course, it was all thanks to my guidebook because I never would have ventured down this side street reeking of urine if they hadn't told me there was gold at the end of the not-so-nice-smelling rainbow. (Okay, I tried my best with the St. Patty's Day reminder, but seriously, I don't think Italians cared all that much. Barely saw any green all day and to be honest, I sort of forgot a few times...)

(Food) heaven on earth.

They are also home to the weirdest-named and most-creative flavors I have ever seen. This is what I got: Samurai and Inferno.

In other words: Mascarpone/Ricotta/Cocoa & White Chocolate/Berries/White Chocolate wafers. Also known as: Why can't I eat this stuff every day?!