Oct 6-9 – A visit to see Esmeralda
Torino Porta Nuova is a pretty easy station to figure out. There’s a metro entrance, a station hall, and the platforms. Trains are sitting in plain view all in a row with this station being the end of every route.
There’s an arrival and departure board around the middle area and it’s pretty clear when your train is leaving and from what platform. I’ve allowed plenty of time to make sure I have room for error but it’s pretty straightforward.
The trains travel very quickly – the speed is up to 300kmh and this actually doesn’t feel as fast as it sounds. You’re travelling smoothly with minimal jolts and that’s all that counts. There’s not a lot to see outside – countryside and the little towns along the way. The toilet is pretty smelly again. Hard to avoid on these trains, I suppose…but I wonder, since the train has been cleaned while we were waiting to board, with no one else using it first. But enough toilet talk! I’m happy enough in my slippery narrow seat, watching Fantastic Beasts, with my bottle of water and bar of chocolate. I’m there in about 2.5 hours.
Bologna Centrale is a confusing station compared to Porta Nuova, with multiple levels, long corridors and more than one exit but I take a chance on the City Centre exit and off I go with my suitcase and Google guiding me.
Bologna looks familiar now, after I leave the station area – with its ruins and marble staircase close by. The rest of the town is a very cheerful blend of yellow, ochre and terracotta colours.
There are different styles of porticoes everywhere – from ancient wooden ones to beautiful marble ones, but mostly they are coloured like the houses.
And it’s very lively compared to Torino. Young people everywhere. As Esmeralda tells me later, this is a university town – not just a town with a university. In fact, the university concept was started here. Cafes and narrow streets are crowded and there are a lot of sidewalk tables and chairs. Nobody looks like they are in a hurry.
Originally, I’d wanted to spend a month here, with Esmeralda close by. I’d settled for just a long weekend but now part of me wishes I’d stuck with my plan. It’s a nice contrast to Turin. However, I’m settled now and have plans so all is well.
Esmeralda’s flat is the way I remember. A long and somewhat complicated layout with large windows in the front and two living areas. There are marble floors and throw rugs and a box sort of fireplace. Oh, and a painted recessed ceiling. If she ever moves, I want this flat!
