Full of Bologna

Well, we've been here a few hours and already we see that we have to step up our game a bit as this is a bustling, international, noisy city. We have a lovely fourth floor apartment (with elevator) which overlooks red rooftops and imposing stone towers. 

We started our journey with a madcap taxi ride from the airport, zigging and zagging our way through narrow city lanes, made more for bikes than cars. Our driver couldn't quite figure out how to get us to our street as much of the center is closed to pedestrians only on weekends, so we called the caretaker and then drove to an agreed to spot where he was standing in an alley waiting to walk us the rest of the way. This is a place where you dont want to own a car!

We found the tourist office, got a map then got our bearings by taking a loop around the historic district. We found the antiques market in Santo Stefano, the University District, and stopped for a glass of wine and a platter of salumi at Tamburini, a famous food market and wine bar. 

We marveled at the Due Torre--Amazing that the smaller one doesn't topple over!

I am already loving the lively vibe, the mimes and musicians on the corners, the funky graffiti on 1,000 year old buildings, the ancientness and modernness of it all. I think this will be fun!

Tomorrow we plan to learn the city better by following the three-hour walking tour map.

We were welcomed to Bologna with American flag sheets! Lol!