Tracks of the StoneBear Odyssey ROF = Ring of Fire

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Bologna 2

ITL  Bologna  2  

Tracks of the StoneBear Copyright MMXV ALL Rights reserved 

ROF= Ring of fire journey

ITL= Italy Journey 

Thursday November 19, 2015

Bologna, Italy 2 afternoon

The Bologna Old City Square, Piazza Maggiore,/ Neptune fountain is only 5 blocks from the apartment. 

In the Plaza square is a large fountain. Beautiful sculpture. It's the Neptune Fountain with 4 mermaids at the corners. Absolutely beautiful. Of course I have to throw a coin in the fountain; I do hope to return here one day.

On the right/ east side is an old brick 5 story building. Arches in the brickwork. Several 10'x 10' large white squares on the wall face. Inside is small 3" squares... it's black & white photos.  

Along the base of the wall are some flower bouquets, a couple of wreaths. This is the Bologna Veterans memorial. ?Is this the Veterans Administration building? No,... It's the city library. 

Across the square is a huge wall of a building. The top half is a brown brickwork. Workers are in the middle of the square breaking down a platform stage where a festival is over. Missed that... would liked to have been here a couple days earlier to see the performances. There is always some artistic something going on in all of these Italian cities. It's just the normal artistic culture here... this is normal life here.

Go over to the huge wall building. Marble steps up to the entrance platform. 20' wooden doors. In & it's the city cathedral, The Basilica of San Petronio. The huge brown brick wall is deceiving,... it's the end of the cathedral hall, The construction started in the middle ages, 1390. 400' long,x 190' wide, x 150' high...

... it is overwhelming to stand on the marble floor tile work, turn and look at the artistic craftsmanship of the sanctuary and breath the air of this sacred place. It is humbling; I stand in awe. ... and have to take a few minutes to say a prayer for Sons.

Speechless!!!

Inside the Basilica is breathtaking beautiful. These pictures can't even capture the magnificence of this 700 year old Cathedral.

Just breathtaking to stand here.

You could spend days here... it's that powerful. 

After a while you just have to exit & go on.  

And there are shops with GREAT food at affordable prices. Do eat a bologna samich when in Bologna. You won't be dissapointed.

On past the square I can see the top of a cathedral dome a few blocks further on and some masonry brick towers. Let's go see what this is about.

Bologna is a wonderful city to explore. It's one of my favorite stops on this journey. Wait 'til you see what's on the other side of the square... down two blocks. ... also see the Bologna 3 post.

You never drink twice from the same stream.

Saturday, December 19, 2015

ITL Bologna 1 Arrive

ITL  Bologna  1     

Tracks of the StoneBear  Copyright MMXV ALL Rights reserved 

ROF= Ring of fire journey

ITL= Italy Journey 

Thursday November 19, 2015

Bologna, Italy 1st day arrive

Rode into Bologna on the bullet train. 300km/hr = 180mph. These Italian trains are really good. Sleek, sloped front engine design with 8 to 10 coaches, some cars are upgrade from economy coach and are business class wide seats with a ledge for your laptop computer. Each seat has an electric plug for computer or charging your phone.  beautiful looking and 1st class operational transportation; even the economy seating. Poor Amtrak.  

The Bologna train station is all concrete form-work walls and tunnels, all very clean with electronic marquees that update every few minutes. Up the escalators to the main ground floor. Very modern looking.   

Big main station room ~ 150' X 75', high 30' ceiling. Huge main marquee with listings for 30 trains arrival & departure schedules for the next 2 hours. 

All Italian train stations are busy with people... maybe 500+ people here everybody uses the trains as they are dependable... & on time.  

Our AirBNB apt is past the McDonald's. Walk to each end of the block. nada. so catch a taxi.

5 blocks. The McDonald's is 4 blocks away. Should have got better directions. Could have walked this in 15 to 20 minutes. 

Took a few minutes to find the apt. Met Paolo& he helped with our directions.   - also see the post of Paolo's help at his restaurant-.

The apt was perfect. All the basic amenities E69/ night; a good! price. 

Bags stowed, let's head out and see Bologna, Italy. 

A block east and we're on the main drag, the main Avenue. Head to the Old City square. 

Covered sidewalk walkways. Storefronts of very chic Italian fashion. Clothes, shoes, jewelry, Italian Leather bags/ purses ect... everything. A lady with a credit card would be in heaven here. As a guy looking at this... my take... Italy really does set the tone for cultural chic fashion; the Italians are THE trendsetters. of Europe for sure; probably the world. 

Busy main drag. Maroon colored Buses/ mass transit every few minutes. Motorscooters "Vespa" style are common in every Italian city. 

I can see the opening of the Old City Square a few blocks ahead. 

See Bologna 2 post.

You never drink twice from the same stream.