bologna.

while i was writing my last blog post on the train, we were headed to bologna (on saturday). we had to make a train change in prato (because we didn't want to pay to take the eurostar train). i didn't realize how fast time was going and i looked up and saw prato so we quickly collected our belongings and sprinted out. then we realized we wanted prato centrale and not the station we got off at so we sprinted back onto the train just before it pulled away. but to no avail we had missed the centrale station before. we got off at the next stop and waited about 10 minutes for the next train. we didn't think we'd make it back to the right station in time to catch our connecting train to bologna. we had one minute so we "ran," which is just about impossible for me with my huge bag. i told vivian to run ahead and hold the door, but as i looked ahead she looked like a snail. we were telling our legs to move and they weren't going anywhere. luckily though, we actually made the train. it was a miracle.

we got out of the train station and walked across the street to find food. all of a sudden there was a huge fight going on in front of us. this man was just beating up this other guy. i stood in awe not knowing what to do. that was our first impression of bologna. we got lunch and it was one of the worst things i've eaten. we tried something different than pizza and it was not so good. to make up for it we ordered dessert of a waffle topped with gelato. of course we both got our own because our gelato tastes are different.

we trekked to our hotel, which was really really nice. our room was regularly 300 euros, but because we booked it the night before, it was only 45 euros total. it was luxurious to shower with a towel larger than the size of a paper towel that we were using in florence. the key itself weighed about 4 pounds, i think. the area of the hotel was quite scary and i was glad i was not there alone. once we got into the center, though, it was fantastic!

since it was saturday (okay well since i've never been there on any other day, this could happen every day for all i know) there were lots of markets. everything was handmade and unique, which was nice for a change. florence had just about the same things in every single stand. we bought some fruit that was very very very satisfying to our bellies. (we are both experiencing some bodily issues from our diet :).

it was an interesting population in bologna. there was a large amount of hippies and unkept people and then there were a lot of very fashionable, upkept (i made up a new word?) people. i'm wondering if i wrote before about how there aren't THAT many attractive italian men. but when you find one, he is usually exceptionally handsome.

i think i have found my favorite thing here: a brioche con crema. it's sort of like a croissant filled with frosting. i wish i could bring them home, but if i'm carrying them around, i'm bound to eat them way before they get anywhere close to america.

we saw the oldest university in the western world, but there wasn't much to see. we kept asking how to get to the university and people would keep pointing north. however, we had been in it the entire time.

there are couples everywhere.

that night we went out for the first time in italy. when we couldn't find a bar to go to, we stopped in for some pizza that was really great. then we were walking and this boy/man/guy heard me speaking english and asked where i was from. he was really excited that i was american because he was from texas. he has been teaching in bologna for two years. he took us to a bar to meet up with his friend who was from new jersey. and what was on tv? the suns game!! he told me how they are doing the best in the league (or conference?) and i felt very proud.

this morning vivian left early to catch her flight back home. i slept for another hour and then got ready to go. the sun was shining bright bright bright and i got really toasty on my walk. i bought my ticket and had three minutes to catch my train. it worked out PERFECTLY. it is really strange on the train because we go underground and then above ground over and over, which causes my ears plug up. we are passing through mountains (which is how the eurostar train gets there so quickly).

i just realized that i left my umbrella at a restaurant. darn.

i will be in rome for four days and then to vienna on wednesday night. i am really stoked to begin my travels alone--exploring the world and exploring myself.

ciao for now,
e.