The next day, I arose, got packed, and checked out of the hostel. Before I went to the train station, I decided to set out on a hunt for some coral jewelry. Apparently, red coral is a local product in Italy, since it grows in the Mediterranean. I had seen it all over the place in Venice, and decided that I would really look good with a coral necklace. So, I set off toward Saint Mark's in search of jewelry. On the way, I found a fabulous little pastry shop and got breakfast. Oh my word, it was delicious. I had this almond turnover sort of thing that was warm out of the oven, and it was mind blowing. (Mom, it tasted just like those almond ball cookies we make at Christmas, except it was kind of gooey in the center. Mmmm.) I finally found a shop that had nice, quality jewelry, and the shopkeeper helped me pick out the perfect necklace. And earrings. (Oops.)
I returned to the hostel to pick up my bag, then hit the train station. The train to Bologna left 10 minutes after I arrived, so my timing was perfect. This train wasn't quite as nice as the other trains, perhaps because it was a regional train instead of long distance. But the ticket was only 8€, so what do I care?
When I arrived in Bologna it was starting to rain. I tried to figure out the bus directions the hostel had given, but I couldn't figure it out. Not wanting a repeat of the Siena incident, I grabbed a taxi and rode out to the hostel. I'm glad I did, because it was a little ways outside the city center, and I doubt I would have known which stop to get off the bus at. This hostel was another of the official youth hostel association hostels, and was similarly institutional to the last one. At least this time people were speaking English.
I dropped my stuff off, then decided to spend the rest of the afternoon seeing Bologna. I only had the one evening, since I was catching a flight to Spain the next morning. So, I headed out in the rain, and caught the bus into the city. The city seems pretty cool, from what I saw. It has the oldest university in the world, so its very much a college town. There were lots of students on the streets. I got off the bus much earlier than I should have to get to the historical part of town, so I spent a good hour or two wandering around in the rain. By the time I got to the historical center, it was about 6pm, and I didn't much feel like touring any monuments. So, I just looked around a bit, and saw the Fountain of Neptune. Apparently, Neptune is the symbol of Bologna.
I decided to get a nice meal, as I've heard that Bologna is the food capital of Italy. I checked my guidebook, and found a place that was right up the street and had held the title of 'best restaurant in Bologna'. I think it was called Diana's. Of course, it was closed Mondays. So, I just wandered around until I found a place that looked nice, and then killed time until they actually opened for dinner.
The meal I had there was wonderful. I had a first course of spaghetti Bolognese, which was delicious. And then I had something called Bolognese Cutlet, which I think was a veal cutlet in a sort of white wine cream sauce.
And then for dessert I had a pistachio tarte.
I also chatted up a couple sitting next to me when I heard them mention a desire to visit Charleston. Towards the end of my meal, they sent me a glass of champagne. It was quite a nice evening.
After my meal, it was late and I was a little buzzed, so I decided I would take another cab instead of trying to figure out the bus again. This was a good decision. When back at the hostel, I spent some time trying to get my boarding pass for the next day's flight printed. Apparently, if you print it at the airport, Ryanair charges you 40€ (which is close to DOUBLE what I paid for the ticket itself.) I ended up having my mom fax it to me at the hostel. Very odd.
I returned to the hostel to pick up my bag, then hit the train station. The train to Bologna left 10 minutes after I arrived, so my timing was perfect. This train wasn't quite as nice as the other trains, perhaps because it was a regional train instead of long distance. But the ticket was only 8€, so what do I care?
When I arrived in Bologna it was starting to rain. I tried to figure out the bus directions the hostel had given, but I couldn't figure it out. Not wanting a repeat of the Siena incident, I grabbed a taxi and rode out to the hostel. I'm glad I did, because it was a little ways outside the city center, and I doubt I would have known which stop to get off the bus at. This hostel was another of the official youth hostel association hostels, and was similarly institutional to the last one. At least this time people were speaking English.
I dropped my stuff off, then decided to spend the rest of the afternoon seeing Bologna. I only had the one evening, since I was catching a flight to Spain the next morning. So, I headed out in the rain, and caught the bus into the city. The city seems pretty cool, from what I saw. It has the oldest university in the world, so its very much a college town. There were lots of students on the streets. I got off the bus much earlier than I should have to get to the historical part of town, so I spent a good hour or two wandering around in the rain. By the time I got to the historical center, it was about 6pm, and I didn't much feel like touring any monuments. So, I just looked around a bit, and saw the Fountain of Neptune. Apparently, Neptune is the symbol of Bologna.
I decided to get a nice meal, as I've heard that Bologna is the food capital of Italy. I checked my guidebook, and found a place that was right up the street and had held the title of 'best restaurant in Bologna'. I think it was called Diana's. Of course, it was closed Mondays. So, I just wandered around until I found a place that looked nice, and then killed time until they actually opened for dinner.
The meal I had there was wonderful. I had a first course of spaghetti Bolognese, which was delicious. And then I had something called Bolognese Cutlet, which I think was a veal cutlet in a sort of white wine cream sauce.
And then for dessert I had a pistachio tarte.
I also chatted up a couple sitting next to me when I heard them mention a desire to visit Charleston. Towards the end of my meal, they sent me a glass of champagne. It was quite a nice evening.
After my meal, it was late and I was a little buzzed, so I decided I would take another cab instead of trying to figure out the bus again. This was a good decision. When back at the hostel, I spent some time trying to get my boarding pass for the next day's flight printed. Apparently, if you print it at the airport, Ryanair charges you 40€ (which is close to DOUBLE what I paid for the ticket itself.) I ended up having my mom fax it to me at the hostel. Very odd.
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