Tag: pompeii

Last night we had a wonderful meal at Ristorante da Nello al Montegrappa (Via Monte Grappa, 2/b, 40121 Bologna BO) at the recommendation of our tour company (CIU Travel, info@ciutravel.com.  www.ciutravel.com).  When the hotel staff called for a reservation they were told the restaurant was all booked for the night.  Patrice and I took a chance and decided to go at the time of the opening (7 pm or as they like to say here, 1900) hoping that someone did not show up for their reservation and we could be seated.  Upon arrival, we saw about 15 people ahead of us on line and we started to discuss other options.  When the person doing the seating (I hate to call him the Maitre D’ because he looked like he was about 12) got to us he asked if we had a reservation.  When we told him no, he said, “I have a table for you but you must leave by 8:45”.  We told him, “We are Americans, we will be done by 8”.    We had a great time since the restaurant service and food were excellent. 

Today we had a new tour guide; she was by far the best we have had on this trip.  She was very relaxed about our start time.  We needed to get out of the hotel by 10 because some repairs were going to be done beginning at that time.  First, we headed over to the University of Bologna which was founded in 1088 and is the oldest University in the Western Hemisphere.  It beats my alma mater (USC founded in 1880) by about 800 years.  You would think they would have a better football team by now, wouldn’t you?  The campus was lovely with lots of young people roaming around.  I was surprised by the number of young people smoking on campus.  The main attraction at the University was the on-campus museum but unfortunately, it is closed on Mondays.  I started thinking I need to email the agency and tell them I was unhappy with the guide but I decided to reserve judgment for a bit longer. 

Next, we headed to the Bologna canals.  Bologna, like Venice, had a series of canals but many years ago they were covered in order to make the city easier to navigate.  The canals are still visible in certain areas.  Check out this picture of the canal from a nearby street.

Next, we were off to a separate part of the University campus where they were housing the “Anatomical theater”.   We had to wait in line for quite a while and all we saw was a large amphitheater with a dissection table in the middle.  The wall sculptures were very impressive but unfortunately, the theater brought back the memory of too many intense study sessions from my medical school days to be very enjoyable.  If you want to see the theater check out this video.  https://youtu.be/rIXj0lo8hoQ

Next, we went to the Pompeii exhibit where we saw a series of frescos from the 1st century AD.  This was extremely interesting but I was having a tough time because all this walking and standing made my lower back start to ache.  I mentioned the discomfort I was having and our guide started to massage my lower back.  Oh my, did that feel good.  Here is one of the pictures from the exhibit, entitled “The Athlete”.

Next, we were off to grab a bite of lunch and finally, we went to the Salaborsa where you can see part of the old canal system.  There isn’t any water in this location but the matrix is preserved and was very interesting to see.

Our tour for the day was done and our guide gave me a big hug, one more deep massage of my low back, and a kiss.  She told me she hoped I had as much fun as she did today.  

Here is a picture of me with our guide at the canal.  Isn’t she lovely?

Ciao