Bologna -- The Gastronomic Capital of Italy

We took the train from Venice to Balogna yesterday. Nothing to report, other than we were the only people getting off in Balogna. Everyone else was continuing on to Florence. Balogna is kind of an overlooked attraction. It does not get the tourists that other cities do, but that is not to say that there is not plenty to see here.

We had a walking tour of the city center with a guide yesterday. This is a city of students. The oldest university in Europe is the University of Balogna, dating back to around 1000 Ad. It is also home to some of the earliest churches in Europe. We visited the library, some churches, the first ampitheater for anatomy study, etc. The most interesting thing we heard on this tour is that the main church here is the target of Islamic terroists. The reason is that there is a fresco by Dante that shows hell. In this hell are non-believers, including the Mohammed. Apparently the fresco was painted in 1,400....but now Islamic terroist are targeting the church because of this. The world is insane.

The food markets here are something to see. They say that Balogna is the gastronomic capital of Italy and I can see why. Last night we went to Pappalago's, which is apparently one of the city's most famous restaraunts. I had salmon and peppers for an appetizer; Yoko had eggplant. Then she had sea bass and I had a pasta dish. Very good, indeed. For desert we had ice cream with hot blueberries and expresso with ameretto. Motto Bene!

Today we are leaving for Florence, where we will spend the next three or four days. I am looking forward to seeing this city. Hopefully, if there is a business center at the next hotel I can share a bit more of the traveloge.