My Bologna has a First Name...It's L-I-N-D-A

Linda and I met waiting for the train from the Ancona port and became instant friends. Sharing travel, life, and weird stories for 4 hours. I was invited to check out Bologna and stay with Linda so I did, and it was great. I don't know all of the site names like I did in the other locations, but the it did not limit the experience.

New Friends, Linda y Ramiro

The first day I arrived, Linda and I bumped into her friend Ramiro on the street that informed us of a free showing of the Phantom of the Opera original movie in the public square with a live orchestra and opera singer performing. It was awesome. The piazza was filled with chairs that were chalk full. It was awesome. Subtitles to the silent movie in enlish, italian, and french.

Public Plaza outside 7 churches, Bologna, Italy

If Venice is the city of canals, then Bologna is the city of street-front arcades and red brick construction. There is red brick everywhere! The city is much different from many of the others. It was not so metropolitan. More like a college town, with a strong youth presence who cares a lot about education and politics, and in turn it seems that the city cares for them as well. Also, this city definitely has the most bikes than any other so far. They were strapped to any and every sort of secure post or fence available. "Do not park" signs did not deter.

Day two was spent seeing some of the sights of Bologna including churches and a not-so-famous leaning tower. The afternoon in the park with Linda and Ramiro was great.

Additional perk: fresh, home-cooked food and clean laundry from a real washing machine rather than a sink. Yay!