Italy al dente (3)

The first night on Italian soil

We sat at Bologna airport and tried to contact potential hosts. After about two hours, salvation. A. had one surfer already but generously offered us a place on the floor. Overjoyed, Justyna bought Pringels for astonishing price. Quickly we found Aerobus stop (ATC) and bought tickets (€ 6 per person). ATC runs from the airport to the train station, and nearby is also a bus station.  
We've learnd a very important word - stazione. We will often use it.  
After 20 minutes we finally located A.'s apartment (thanks to A.'s guidences). And then there were first greetings, hugs and kisses on the cheeks.We highly appreciate that A. saved us from sleeping at the airport.

*** Up to remember: always have a few 'emergency' phone numbers and addresses of hostels in the city.
*** It is important to learn some words and phrases. And not to panic (like us) in case of communication problems.

How can I get to Piazza Maggiore? 

 
We woke up early in the morning because A. had to go to work. It was my first encounter with Italian sense of time and espresso - A. stood up much later than he had planned, and yet he managed to prepare coffee. Shower and espresso was exactly what I needed! A.went to work before 8 o'clock, and we went out with him. We've planned to start our tour from Piazza Maggiore but (for the first and not the last time) we lost our way. Instead of moving toward the square, we walked away from it. Well, at least J. bought her first slice of pizza at some corner shop. ;) 
 In the end we managed to find the right way and after 20 minutes we reached Piazza Maggiore. It looks  great, but unfortunately, our photo camera doesn't do it justice. After taking some photos we watched an exhibition of cartoons about The Moomins, no Italian language in anything we do not mind. 

At the Fountain of Neptune (Fontana di Nettuno) we saw a group of tourists taking photos and making a lot of noice. It was the end of March, so we do not want to imagine how many people visit in the tourist season. Basilica of San Petronio was under some construction works. But city counsil has taken care of tourists, and gave general idea of ​​how it looks, by suspending the scaffolding material with imprinted temple photo. 
J. and I decided to searched for Internet caffee and try to find a new host for the night - A flat was small and 3 surfers was making too much noise and disturbance. It turns out that the Tourist Information Point next to the square, offered a free Internet access.

Quickly we filled request form. Unfortunately, all PCs were occupied and we had to wait an hour. However, we were not wasting time, and took a short look at narrow streets around the square. At 12 o'clock J. went to "TIP", and I decided to wonder a little bit. I've always thought that getting lost in some place is the best way to know it. Walking through the streets of Bologna I found Two Towers (Due Torri),  padlocks' bridge on Via Malcontenti, St. Stephen's Basilica (Basilica di Santo Stefano), and streets with the most ammount of branded designer's shops. I was not paying attention to where I was and eventually I lost orientation. Saved me city dweller, who told me how could I get to Piazza Maggiore. J.'s been already waiting for me. We quickly located the nearest Mac and ordered a coffee (1 or 2 €), hoping that a decent dose of caffeine would put us on our feet. 
 J. pulled out city map she had bought at stazione (of course) and we determined continuation of our tour. Choice fell on the gardens. Walk there took us a looong time but it was worth.  
We came back near 5 p.m. with decision we would leave A.'s apartament. We had two choices - going to Padova or finding new host. Miraculously, we found on our CS account an invitation from S.. After big problems with phone, we managed to establish a meeting time and place. We thanked A. for giving us shelter, said goodbyes and went to meeting. We arrived spot on time, and had to wait few minutes for S. and his friends. Italian sense of time, again. After a short rest and a fantastic pasta cooked by our new friends we went to the city. Everyone should visit Bologna by night, it looks amazing. While drinking wine, we got to know better our hosts - group of students from different faculties, renting toghether a flat. In one of the club got to know spritz - drink based on wine (1 or 2 €), typical to Veneto region.  Spritz served in Bologna tastes a little bit different but it still gives a chance to get acquainted with its taste. ;) 
 In champagne moods we got back to S.'s apartment an fell asleep quickly.

*** Great thing about Bologna are arcades. They allow you to reach your destination without getting wet when you don't have umbrella. Proven - our first day in Italy was rainy. 
*** You should buy a map of the city, even the smallest one. It's easy to get lost in the small alleys of Bologna. 
*** The Tourist Information Point offers free access to Internet. But it must be to place an order, and depending on the quantity of seized computers and wait orders. 
*** We all know it but I still write it. To order a large coffee (in a cup), ask about coffee americana / american coffee. If you ask just for a coffee, you will get an espresso. Very tasty addition to coffee is chocolate croissants. :) 
*** In Italy you can drink alcohol on the street. But usually shops where you can buy it are closed after 10p.m..
*** Smoking in pubs is prohibited. If you want to smoke then you must leave the club, but your drink must remain inside. Cigarette vending machines are available in the package price, however, it's much higher than in Poland. Best to take stock with you. ;)