Zia Italina, the reason we came to Bologna
Our first apartment, on Via Del' Inferno. Entrance is darkest door on right. Two towers in the distance.
La Salumeria, good food almost next door.
Great cappucchino, with chocolate sprinkled on top. Only 1.20 euros.
Out of focus, sorry! Gig is happy.
The cars are small and very sensible here. Also better looking than most American cars.
Almost all of central Bologna has porticos. You don't get wet in the rain.
View from our third apartment. We did a lot of moving around.
A print in our third apartment. Gig liked it.
All the food pictures coming up are of the open food market nearby.
Shopping here seems to be as much a social experience as a nutritional one.
I called this guy the nut man, as he had such a large variety.
Fresh pasta made every day.
Our apologies to our vegetarian friends, but the meat is real nice here.
We asked about the sign. Apparently tourists love to buy the mushrooms here.
If you like prosciutto, there are many varieties.
More prosciutto!
Italian graduation...no group ceremonies, just individual ones throughout the year.
Bologna used to have many canals, now most are underground.
View towards the city center, where we lived, from one of the Bolognese hills.
My mom went by this church on the way to school every morning as a child.
On a trip to Sperticano we crossed the river Reno, where Etruscans first settled in the area 3000 years ago.
Gig found an old farmhouse she wanted to fix up.
Sperticano, where my grandparents and other aunt are buried, next to the small church.
Gig wanted the Baci Vespa.
I would have settled for the Mercedes Benz bicycles.
There were always entertainers near our home. This lady animated the puppets with her feet while she played the accordion.
The street entertainers were almost always happy.
Jazz in the piazza.
Our favorite apartment, behind Gig, in Via Del Inferno.
Our friendly newspaper vendor. After the second day, he had my International Herald Tribune ready.
There was almost always accordion music in the neighborhood in the morning and evening.
Gig's new do. She is happy with it!
Under the ancient arch, the best pizza I have ever eaten.
We'd walk in, and walk out less than 10 minutes later with a delicious pizza.
The natives started to get to know us and got friendly after a few weeks.
Restaurant next to the pizza shop. More delicious Bolognese food.
When we wanted a bit of a change we went to McDonald's. The only one I have seen with frescos. They had a good little grilled chicken sandwich I have not seen in the US.
Nice little market next to us, with a wonderful local Bolognese wine selection.
We loved those little Fiat 500s.
Our neighbors were two shoemakers.
Incredible workmanship.
It took 8 weeks to get a pair of shoes after you ordered them.
The accordion players were spread out...each had their own little turf.
Small restaurant across from our apartment.
We were wondering why my hand washed clothes smelled so strange, and discovered I had bought citronella-scented detergent! Too bad there are no mosquitos in February.
Graduation party walking by our window.
Looking across our apartment to roof cats.
Next to the shoemaker was a small lace shop.
The owner had learned to make lace in a convent.
As soon as the weather warmed up in the evening, the sidewalk cafes filled up.
Almost everywhere you looked there were at least a few outdoor tables to eat, drink and chat. Or just relax.
Gig's computer, rigged to our Italian TV gave us live American CNN full-screen!
Me, Gig, and my aunt Italina, the reason we came here. Still living on her own at 96.
