IntrepidFromDC

These guys were standouts among the street musicians. I will try to post video with sound.

Italians love their dogs like we do, but the dogs are allowed everywhere - trains, ristnoorantes, etc.

Hard to believe, but I hit my first bar since Carnival tonight.

Nightfall approaching in Bologna

Italian protesters against Iranian religious law, and banner against russian agression against Ukraine.

Misc pics from walking from my airbnb near the train station to the old city.

More from the HOHO

I arrived in Bologna and boarded the HOHO bus immediately because my airbnb would not be ready for 3 hours. These pics and the next bunch are from the HOHO bus (yes, the dog was allowed on the bus).

Bologna is deeply rich with history. Foods that originate here are world-famous, including lasagna.

Ninjacat, I always like your questions and comments about food because I think we are kindred. As for horse, I think I would have to both NOT see something else on the menu I WANT, AND be in an adventurous mood. That said, I have eaten some pretty crazy stuff, warthog, kudzu, scorpion, zebra, etc. But I would never touch turtle soup or dog meat. Horse is one of those things I want to read about before trying. Turtle and dog are off limits and I don't want to go into why other than to say I love those animals.

Thanks. I'm in Bologna on the HOHO now. Train service has been perfetto the whole trip.

Tomorrow morning I catch the train to Bologna, it's one hour away. Planned is HOHO bus tomorrow and guided walking tour on Monday. Both tours promise to be chock-full of history and other educational stuff I'll be sure to share, don't worry Roscoe I won't let you down.

The duck was delicious, juicy breast with crispy skin, just fatty enough. I didn't like the pasta dish at all. Reminded me of my last trip to Olive Garden, 21 years ago. Thickener ball city and nothing subtle or complex about the too-salty, smash-you-in-the-mouth creamy sauce. 3 stars on TripAdvisor, my first less than 4 stars since Carnival food. (disclaimer: I still LOVE Carnival). I almost tried the raw horse.

Parma downtown.

I stopped at a deli/bar and had several types of exquisite Parmigiano-Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma, plus local red wine. For dinner tonight I'm having Culatello di Zibello and fresh, hand-made pasta at the restaurant in the photo.

Zoom in on the brickwork of this church...

Emelia-Romagna Governor's Home.

Parma is another beautiful, clean city. All public transportation is electric. Parma has a few famous composers and artists in its history.

Parma is another beautiful, clean city. All public transportation is electric. Parma has a few famous composers and artists in its history.

Parma Centrale Stazione on the left, my hotel on the right. Allows me to take the guesswork out of "What time do I REALLY need to leave for the train station?"

4 connections successfully completed, I just checked into the Novotel Parma Centro. Like in Pisa, it's directly across the street from the train station. From Cinque Terre to Berceto it was mountains, mostly uninhabited. Mountains ended abruptly after Berceto (pronounced "Barcheto" with a hard "a"). I'm refreshing my memory on the self-guided walking tour, then will be off.

Goodbye Cinque Terre! I left some of my heart with you. Today is a travel day, mostly. Train from Riomaggiore to La Spezia. Train from La Spezia to Pontremoli. Bus from Pontremoli to Berceto, train from Berceto to Parma. With this route I get to see much of the countryside of Tuscany I haven't been to before.

When we were little we said the same thing about spaghetti, remember? I see a little trofie in your future! 😁 🏴‍☠️

Dinner was very good but not WOW. I enjoyed the trofie pesto from lunch so much I got it again. Octopus was delicious, nice char and wood-smoked flavor.