It’s been a while since I wrote one of my missives mainly because nothing seems different or important enough to write about. Having said that I have just returned from my evening passagiatta and I feel inspired to talk about how wonderful Bologna is looking and what a vibrant city it is.
On the weekends the city is closed to cars and the people come out. It being close to Christmas the people are out in droves, I am sure that there is no-one left inside in all of Bologna. I stood at the top of one of the main streets (Via Rizzoli for Rose and others who know the city) and all you can see is a mass of people…there is nowhere that the road is visible, the same with Via Independenza…masses and masses of people with the lights of Christmas above. It may sound awful but it isn’t, it is cheerful and alive. People are just strolling along, no-one is rushing, the night is clear and not at all cold. It honestly is just perfect.
In other cities the Christmas crowds are intent on getting their shopping done, in a hurry and wanting to finish and get out of there. Here, there are no ‘malls’ just shops lining the streets and people are strolling around. There is a massive Christmas tree but in true Bolognese style it is crooked which for me symbolises what I love about the city. It is slightly sleazy, slightly ‘crooked’ but so totally alive. I’ll try and attach a photo!!
I’ve spent a lot of time this weekend trying to get my Italian in order, going over the lessons and writing up vocabulary etc. It depresses me to be so inadequate but I just have to keep going.
Tomorrow is a public holiday- something about the immaculate conception that for some unknown (to me) reason starts the official celebration of Christmas. So people will also be out and about tomorrow. It isn’t, however a holiday from school. It’s lessons as usual which I’m sort of happy about. It’s my last week and they’ve added an extra half hour of grammar….I think they think I’m a hopeless case!! As I look back on 2 months in Bologna, there have obviously been ups and downs with the worst times always when I’ve been with you guys and then have to adjust back to being alone, but I am absolutely sure that Bologna was an excellent choice to start off. It is off the tourist trail as well as being a lovely city. There are now little Christmas markets everywhere, mostly fairly tacky and there is little that is original in this world but fun to explore nonetheless. They are selling Vin Brûlée (mulled wine) and I’m such a regular customer at one stall that she gives it to me for half price. I saw her making it tonight and the amount of sugar she put in made me rethink my strategy of having one each day after school.
My last week starts tomorrow and despite my great appreciation of Bologna, I just can’t wait to go to London to be with Ham and Az for Christmas. I’m in need of some family time!! Chris is also coming over to have Christmas with us which will be lovely, specially as H & A Have solved the accommodation problem with Mikey and Wana very kindly letting us stay in their apartment.
So close to Christmas now and no matter how happy I am to be in London, I will always miss you both, Ang and Rose, not to mention the sunshine and outdoors.
