Bologna: Part Duo

As our usual Sunday schedule dictated, we woke up and went to Mass. After Mass, Clay insisted on eating at a restaurant that served and American-style brunch. I was sure this would end in disaster. I make an effort to not eat “American” abroad because it usually leads to  disappointment, but not this time. The brunch exceeded my expectations. It was like we were back in the USA brunching on a lazy Sunday enjoying waffles, pancakes, real bacon, a muffin (the jam filled that we like so much), fresh fruit and American coffee. The coffee, while it couldn’t hold a candle to Italian or even Spanish coffee, did remind me of home.

We then headed to the old home of the University of Bologna. The university is noted as being the first and oldest in Europe. It was heavily damaged in World War II, but later rebuilt from the original pieces found in the rubble. You can visit the municipal library established in 1838 and the former anatomy room where they used to carve up cadavers, which was built in the 1600s.

The infamous anatomy table.

After getting schooled, we went in search of a famous gelato place in Bologna that was recommended by our Modena tour guide. Yes our gelato challenge was still happening. It was day 8 and we were still enjoying gelato. We waited in line for 15-20 minutes. The line was out the door. It was the best to date. Our flavors were vanilla based and not too wild, but they were delicious.

The next day we spent in Bologna should not have been there. When we were planning our trip, we made a mistake and booked an extra night in Bologna. Not sure how it happened, but we’re glad it did in a town as slow and relaxing as Bologna.

On our bonus day we decided to walk the porticoes of Bologna. The city planners instituted the porticoes to protect people from the weather as the milled about. Bologna has the longest portico in the world with 666 archways. The portico leads from downtown to a church on a hilltop. We covered about half on the way up and decided to walk all the way into town to finish them all off. The idea was better than the act. It isn’t the most thrilling walk, but it’s about the only way to get to the top of the hillside.

We grabbed lunch at a shop that deals in meats and cheese. They skirt some laws about health codes so they serve food (the meats and cheeses they sell as if you were at a grocery store) on plates, but they do not have a menu and will not bring the food to your table. They offer suggestions, but cannot have anything set in stone or some such. Very peculiar, but also very tasty.

We took a little nap before dinner where we indulged in more stuffed pasta. The highlight of the night was going to a small bar and Clay eating a sugar cube that had been soaked in a high grain alcohol. The closet/store sets the cube on alight before the patron, Clay, blows it off and then eats it. A lovely gimmick. Clay can assure you the booze did not completely burn out. He mentioned that the inside of the cube was equivalent to downing lighter fluid. Lucky him.*sips reasonable glass of prosecco as Clay laments his decisions*

It was fun day all around and a great way to leave Bologna. The next day we were off to Cinque Terre, not before buying a few muffins first.