Yesterday we arrived at the home of Italian pasta, Bologna. We have eaten at a restaurant in Los Angeles that boasts that their pasta is flown in daily from Bologna. So last night we were very anxious to sample the pasta in the world’s capital for the signature Italian food. Yes, we had dinner at a restaurant just steps from the hotel and ate ……….. pizza. Our waiter seemed overworked and not so thrilled to see us but he warmed up very quickly when we started to speak Spanish instead of English.
Today we had a three-hour walking tour with our guide, Giulia (aka Julia). Like all our guides she was fantastic. We got to see the cathedral (What is a town in Europe without a huge, ostentatious cathedral surrounded by people struggling to make a living?) and a variety of religious artifacts dating back over 800 years. Imagine seeing places built in the 12th century and still standing. Structures that had to endure two world wars and numerous natural disasters and remain erect. Why is it, that in Los Angeles something 50 years old is considered a “tear down”?
Yes, they have some extremely old buildings here but I still need to ask if anyone has studied structural engineering in this country? We all know about the leaning tower of Pisa, well this place has two buildings that lean. See the photo below and I swear to you I was holding the camera straight.
The staff at this hotel (Hotel Touring; Via dè Mattuiani, 1/2, 40124 Bologna BO) is fantastic. Everyone has been very cheerful and gracious as you would expect at any high-end hotel. Their hearts have been huge even if the room (especially the bathroom and shower) have not. We wanted to make reservations for dinner the next few nights and Patrice thought it best if we go to the front desk to ask for help. I told her I would go in case the lovely Elena was working. I mean I wanted to go so the lovely Patrice didn’t need to be bothered. Patrice wanted to go in case “the handsome Marco” was there so we both went. When we arrived Elena wasn’t there but the also very lovely Giulia (not our guide, Giulia) was on duty. She was very helpful and while we were waiting, Marco arrived. I said “Buon giorno, Marco”. He then said hello and asked me my name which I told him and then he looked at my wife and he said, “Buon giorno, Patrice”. Hmmmmmm. By the way, my laptop wants to change giorno to groin! Hmmmm again.
One thing of interest I have noted during our short time in Italy is the numerous people I see wearing clothes emblazoned with either LA or Los Angeles. If so many Italians think Los Angeles is a great place. I think I will plan a trip there very soon.
Ciao
Robert Reiss Travel Blog and Other Ramblings 