Bologna, You Weird Little Gem (and My Slightly Damp Socks)
okay, so. bologna. i didn’t plan to end up here, honestly. the numbers - 3175001 and 1380664435 - they just… appeared on a napkin at a gig in Berlin. felt like a sign, right? like the universe was saying, “go to bologna, you idiot.” and i’m rarely one to argue with the universe, especially when it involves a potential adventure.
it’s… unexpected. i’m a touring drummer, you see. usually, i’m hauling gear through airports, sleeping on floors, and eating questionable gas station sushi. bologna is… calmer. quieter. and surprisingly full of porticoes. seriously, the porticoes! they’re everywhere. it’s like the city is perpetually giving you a hug.
i just checked and it’s drizzling a bit there right now, a sort of persistent, grey dampness that seeps into your bones. not unpleasant, just… present. my socks are currently exhibiting a concerning level of sogginess.
and the food. oh, the food. i’ve been mainlining tagliatelle al ragù (the real bolognese, people, not that jarred stuff you get back home) and mortadella sandwiches. i’m pretty sure i’ve gained five pounds in three days. no regrets. i found this little place, Osteria dell’Orsa, tucked away on a side street. someone told me that it’s a total tourist trap, but also the best place to get authentic pasta. contradictory advice, i know, but i took the bait. and it was good. really good. check it out on Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/osteria-dell-orsa-bologna.
“Don’t even think about ordering the cotoletta alla bolognese if you’re not hungry. It’s a beast.” - overheard from a very serious-looking gentleman at a bar.
getting around is easy. it’s a walkable city, which is a huge plus for someone who’s used to lugging drum kits around. the public transport is decent too, if you’re feeling lazy. i spent a good chunk of yesterday wandering around Piazza Maggiore, just soaking it all in. it’s a beautiful square, full of history and pigeons. lots and lots of pigeons.
if you get bored, modena and ferrara are just a short drive away. i’m thinking of taking a day trip to ferrara tomorrow. apparently, it’s got some amazing medieval architecture. i found a forum discussing it here: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g194730-i1360-Ferrara_Province_of_Ferrara_Emilia_Romagna.html.
“The locals are… reserved. Don’t expect a lot of smiles. But they’re friendly if you make an effort.” - drunk advice from a bartender who seemed to know everything.
my neighbors, the pigeons, are currently staging a protest on my windowsill. demanding breadcrumbs, i assume. i’m not giving in.
okay, quick gear list for anyone else considering a spontaneous bologna trip:
Comfortable shoes: you’ll be doing a lot of walking.
*Umbrella: seriously, the drizzle is real.
*An appetite: like, a serious appetite.
*Phrasebook: “grazie” and “un altro bicchiere di vino, per favore” will get you far.
*A sense of adventure:* because you never know what you’ll find.
and a final warning, gleaned from a local board: https://www.bologna.re.it/
“Watch out for the scooters. They’re everywhere and they don’t play by the rules.” - something a local warned me about while i was attempting to cross the street.
right, i’m off to find more pasta. and maybe some dry socks. bologna, you’re weird. but i’m kind of digging it.
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