Back where I started.

Well it is time to come home, this is becoming clearer and clearer. Not that I don’t love being back in Bologna, I do. It feels so nice and so like coming home. As I walk the streets I recall times enjoyed here with Rosa and with Annie and Bob, I’m welcomed back to my favourite haunts and know exactly where to go for what. It really is a wonderful town that isn’t inundated by tourists, is full of character and has a wonderful ‘life’ about it. It bubbles over with students and when I arrived so late last night without having eaten, to go out into the streets on a Monday night, and find them full of young people, music spilling out of venues and no shortage of places for a glass of wine and a bite to eat. I remember a year ago when it was my first stop I described it as a bit seedy with people sleeping rough, lots of refugees and people begging on the streets. Now that I’ve spent time in Palermo, Napoli, Genova, it feels positively gentile but the huge energy and youth of the city distinguishes it from Lucca.

BUT…it’s 18 fucking degrees, just like it was a year ago, but this time I’m not equipped for winter and I know the sunshine is waiting for me in Melbourne. Also, 2 hours in the dentist chair today meant finding horrors under the crown Fabrizia is replacing. Thank god she picked it up though…it is major and will cost double what I had budgeted. I had XRays today and she showed me exactly what was there. I’m terrified of what review of all the XRays will reveal. I think I have been neglected and neglected myself for a long time!!. Tomorrow basically all day in the dentist chair while they construct something on which to put a crown…oh fuck!!! But I do think I’m very lucky to be in Fabrizia’s hands. I think I have to find a new dentist when I get home…preferably an Italian!!!! As well as an annual trip to Fabrizia I think!!

Chris is arriving in the morning for a consultation with Fabrizia too, she will stay the night and it will be great to sit over a bottle of wine and catch up again. I had intended to go to Vicenza for the day on Thursday because it was the only day without a dental appointment but I have been told that I may be required every day while they fast-track major works. Some recontructionist (not Fabrizia) is spending 2-3hrs with me tomorrow…can you believe it????

Ham and Ariane arrive on friday for a final farewell for many months, all of which adds to the feeling of heading home. I’m in a different apartment this time and it certainly is rather lovely with everything I could possibly want (confirming the presence of a washing machine my dear H&A), but further to walk for my morning coffee!!.

10 days to go now and I know it will fly. I will continue to keep you up to date with the horrors of sitting in the dentist chair. I have TV with Al Jazeera and BBC News…that, I consider positively spoilt!!