I killed the mosquitoes and had a great nights sleep last night. Nose still drip, drip dripping but up I got and decided that today was the day I was going to Ravenna. I looked up the timetable, decided on a train and off I set. Got to the station and that train wasn’t on the board for some reason. I asked someone and I still don’t know why but the next one was in 2 hrs which was definitely too long to wait and too late to catch. So…I looked at the board and decided I’d go ‘somewhere’. There was a train going through Parma which I decided to get. Off I went to Parma and it is such a gorgeous city, it took me completely by surprise. The home of Parmesan and I believe Prosciutto.
I digress to tell you that although I really love Italy, the other thing that annoys me second only to the bureaucracy is the fact that everything closes at 12.30 and opens again (if you’re lucky) at 3pm. If you’re going on a day trip this is very restrictive and annoying. By the time I got oriented and got myself where I wanted to go the time was very limited to get to the Duomo and the Battistry. Both of which are gorgeous and awe inspiring. Then bang, all over and closed. So what does a food obsessed lady do except of course eat. I went to a lovely restaurant to try the food they are famous for. I had a positively lovely lunch which included a local ravioli (to die for) and a stuffed veal (to die for)…was very tempted to have the horse for which they are also famous…horse tartare no less but didn’t in the end.
Then I went to the National Gallery which I also loved…always in these amazing buildings. I think I might take up religion in my last phase of life…there are so many beautiful works of art.
Then time to get back to the station and back ‘home’. Every in my carriage on the train coughing, spluttering and dripping so the chances of getting a virus on a virus are high. Dark by the time I landed back in Bologna at 5.30pm. Australia in the news here again..again covering ourselves in glory by a blanket ban on anyone entering the country from West Africa. Am I proud of my country?…not a bit of it…they are calling it an hysterical response here.
Wine, bread and cheese for tea. I’m eating FAR too much.