In conversation with Francesco

Cà de March 35

When traveling for an extended period of time, it is important to not only visit the big cities, but to take the time to rest and re-energize in between. So after Firenze and Roma, I chose to go into the countryside for some quiet time in a village near the Monghidoro, a town just south of Bologna, north of Firenze. My address for two days was Cà de March 35 and I was hosted by Francesco Quero in the house you see at the end of this street.

With friendly neighbours

And this view of the Emilia-Romagna Region.

Thank Francesco for a perfect blend of rest, absurdities and introduction to Southern Italian food. And I am especially grateful you found me wandering aimlessless around Monghidoro, after I got off the bus at the wrong town but managed to get a ride to the right one.

Lone Rider

Couchsurfing

Glad to report that my couches have been much better than this one

Sandokan

SANDOKAN is a character in a fictional series by Italian author Emilio Salgari. Sandokan was also a popular six part mini-series which began in 1976. Played by Indian actor Kabir Bedi, the protagonist was a warrior who lead a band of rebel pirates throughout Malaysia as the Tigers of Mompracem.

This television series was watched by many young Italians growing up during my generation with Kabir Bedi, much loved actor and admired.

Thanks to my Balkan host Francesco, for introducing to me, some Malaysian culture in Italy!

UPDATE: A comment that Francesco left on my couchsurfing profile!

"Katrina is the daughter of Sandokan, the tiger of Malaysia! She was always around in the forest, fighting against fierce animals. Oh, it was great seeing her blocking just with hands the cruel dog of my neighbours.
She was perfectly integrated in my surreal life, and in few hours she has become the host, and i was the guest! Wonderful!
It's incredible, and i can't undertand how was possible, but i was a little bit sad when she left...Ciao Katrina, ."

Crash

Due to a persistent Trojan virus, my laptop has crashed and is not accessible. This will put a big delay in my blog updates and unfortunately,  the reports and photos of my 2 last days in Italy and Austria will have to wait.

Please wish me luck in finding the technical support to get the system fixed in Europe. But it is unlikely I will be able to do so until I reach Copenhagen.

Also, all of your suggestions and help of any nature are welcome.

Elephant

Italian Profanity I

From this angle

and then, an alternate angle

Neptune, God of the Sea at Piazza Nettuno

The Performance

The Last Supper

The performance took place in a strange underground venue starting with a last supper...

Judas?

With entertainment from an alternative crowd until 2am.

Band Practice

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Francesco Quero, my host in Bologna, is a percussionist. His band is Fanfara Burek and I was able to shoot a practice session. This is exactly what traveling via couchsurfing is about!

Bologna

Location

Bologna, perhaps known for bolognese meat sauce. But more importantly for the 45km of portico architecture in the city core, or the longest one of 3.5 km leading up to the San Luca Santuary - a feature unique to any other Italian city. Rain or shine, the people of Bologna are always sheltered.

Ciao Firenze

Four days, five nights, goodbye Firenze, city of art, architecture and romance.

Uffizzi

Uffizzi Gallery, 1581.

and the view from it.

Contrast

Housing in Siena

Osteria

An atmosphere of good company, good wine, and good food - A perfect place for a local lunch in Siena!

Tourist lunchspot

Manfred

What a pleasure to be able to spend a fun day in Siena with Manfred, my host in Firenze.

Special thanks to him and his mum for taking such great care of me during what was suppose to only be one day but turned into five.

Stride in style

Follow the leader

Siena

Piazza Del Campo

About Siena and the Location

Simple Solutions

Lucca, Piazza dell' Anfiteatro

This oval square was rebuilt in the XIXth century following the shape of the old Roman amphitheater. But where is the centre fountain?

A link to the view from the top.

Lucca

Chiesa di San Michele in Foro

While based out of Firenze, I explored some of the Tuscany region starting with a day visit to Lucca, a medieval city located within Renaissance-era city walls.

Location

Herringbone

Stop

La Chambre D'Amour

Florence is a very romantic city.

On the Prowl II

On the Prowl

Rotini

Pasta

Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore

More info

Biglietteria

Pronounced: Beelyayttayreya

Unreachable