Bologna: La Dotta, La Grassa, La Rossa- pt. 1

Today I started my first real weekend here, seeing how my first weekend took place in the middle of my panicked housing search and was thus not enjoyed to its fullest potential. A little after lunch, I took a little jaunt around my apartment to discover that all of my roommates were taking some adorable siestas just like good Italains. I decided that I would spend some quality time with myself and take to the streets for a little solo jaunt around the city and act like a tourist. Bologna is well known by the name: “la dotta, la grassa, la rossa” which translates into the “the learned, the fat, the red”. Thus, here is the first installment of an eventual three part series.

La Rossa

This part of the nickname has a two-part origin. It is called "the red" because of the red roofs that make up most of the birds-eye-view of the city. 

View from my hotel room. That roof looks red, right? It is

However, the name is also an homage to the fact that the city had links to the communist party in the past. Sooooo yeah you can take your pick on that one. I am going down the “red roofs” conceptual path and will give you a glimpse of other architecturally relevant aspects of this beautiful city via my walking tour.  

I started with the main tourist trap gathering point in the city, Piazza Maggiore. In actuality, this is a place where the Bolognese go to meet, not just a place for tourists (me) to take pictures. I really don't know why America doesn't have any piazzas because they are awesome. In Italia loitering isn't a misdemeanor but a beloved past-time. 

Oh hai Neptune

My next stop was a bookstore that my sister's friend recommended. It was like an Italian mixture of Half-price books and Book People. I walked away with a 2 Euro copy of The Little Prince (are you reading this, Aanchal??) and came this close to buying fifteen books all about how to make olive oil but refrained. I will just have to go back soon. Wandering ensued next. And by wandering, I mean walking directly to a gelateria numerous people have told me to try and pretending to be surprised when I "stumbled upon" it. Since I was already there, I got a white chocolate and hazelnut flavor. I don't know why since I normally hate white chocolate but oh mannnn it was good.

This is not the gelateria. It is a random cafe, but it is cute, no?

I continuted my journey by sitting and reading my new book what is my current favorite piazza in the city, Piazza Delle Sette Chiese (of the seven churches). You can note the two adorable girls in the top picture because they are really what I watched instead of reading. Does that sound creepy? Whatever. They were so cute. I couldn't really hear them but every once in a while one of them would yell something like "no, IO sono la principessa e tu sei il cavallo! " (I am the princess and you are the horse!). Reminded me all to much of me and my sister. Miss you, sissy! The church in the middle picture is, in fact, 7 churches in one. I didn't go in today but I am sure I will soon.

I then made my way to Via Zamboni, the main street of the University, which is another one of my favorite places because of the student population. One day I will be creepy and take lots of pictures of people because they are so interesting. Fashion is very important here in Italy but it isn't just designer labels and high fashion. People express themselves a lot with their looks and there are a lot of alternative styles. A lot of dreadlocks in weird styles like just two dreads in the back or something like that. For another day. Right now here are some less interesting photos but, hey they are still relevant. 

Due Torri- the only two towers left in the historical center, which used to be filled with them as all rich families built a tower to display their wealth back in the day. Not a very subtle form of dick-measuring, now is it?

Annunci for open rooms for rent

Just a typical colorful street that makes me happy. Ciao for now!