16 January 2010

Hello friends!

I am writing to you safe and sound, from the suburbs of Milano.

I arrived in Bologna yesterday around noon, jet lagged and with a sore bum, and after a few false starts made my way to the hotel, where I crashed for a few hours. Then I woke up and went walking around Bologna. Everything was closed (apparently things close early) but I had one of those lovely evenings strolling around by twilight a city that was birthed in the middle ages. For dinner I had tagliatelle with a Bolognese sauce (I thought that was appropriate) and some delicious red wine.

In the morning I climbed the 498 steps of the Torre degli Asinelli. Did I ever mention I am afraid of heights? A few times going up the construction of it would fake me out and I would think "of course! the top" but then I would turn a corner and there would be plenty of steps to go. It was a pretty nerve wracking climb. And then there was the descent, which was pretty precarious as the steps are not very deep and at times you have to climb down sideways. It was nice, though, the cacaphony of tourist footsteps while bells chime in the distance, the vestiges of adrenalin from the ascent still lingering in your blood. A happy little moment.

After the tower I lit some candles in the Basilica di San Petronio and said a prayer for the folks in Haiti, and then was on my way to Milano.

Milano Centrale, the central train station, is quite a sight to behold. I am told that the architecture of fascists tends to be on the grander scale, to have the desired effect of making peasants feels small, insignificant. It was pretty big let me say. As this is a major stop for the subway I will let you know after further trips if it succeeds in making me feel insignificant. (Question: can fascist design compete with a modern ego?)

Tonight I met the family I am to stay with. They are very delightful and friendly and functional. I cannot wait to start taking Italian classes, as I feel so awkward stuck with my native English. For all of you who recommended that I take classes, I admit it you were right!

Tomorrow I am heading to the farm in Toscana to spend about three weeks there. I am very curious as to what that will entail, as it is winter over here. Milking cows? Slaughtering pigs? We'll have to wait and see.

Anyway I miss you all and can't wait to see you again. Hope you don't mind the mass email. Also what is Sonia's address btw?

Hope you are all well,

Love eva