If you read the About me section of this site (or if you know me), I allude to what drew me to Bologna. But unlike other brave adventurers before me, I did not arrive here because of school or work and thus left to my own resources to adjust to a new life.

I am a planner by temperament and this carried well into my former work where I managed several large software and website implementations. A history and archaeology major, research is a passion and I love to read about places to visit and then plan itineraries around my interests. I have planned vacations for friends to places I have visited and even to those I have only researched, with an innate instinct for knowing where to stay and what to see and do.

Once bitten by the Italian bug in more ways than one ( another story for another time but never eat anything labeled carpaccio!), I realized I wanted to live in a different culture paired with traveling to other places in Europe. Bologna is a great location as its bustling train station is a major hub and its recently renovated airport provides service to other European cities. As I looked closer at Bologna on a map, I saw how many places were easily reached by train alone and as a solo traveler this enhanced its location. Even before coming here the idea of building itineraries for other travelers in this region already took root in my mind.( I also explored Verona and Parma as possibilities but the night life and expansive cultural events of Bologna tipped the scales.)

Desiring to advance my language skills I researched schools in the area and hit the jackpot with Bologna Lingua and my professor Andrea Quaranotto. I will write more later about my experiences there the first time and again now. Recommended by Bolonga Linqua’s site I chose a B&B, Bologna Nel Cuore, where I was warmly welcomed by Maria Ketty who conversed with me in Italian her more than I at the time.  Bewitched by Bologna I returned the following year with some people who wanted to develop a tour for their company and again I researched tours, cooking schools and places to stay with the idea of developing this service for others.  Staying at one of Maria’s apartments afforded me the opportunity to foster our relationship. And Andrea warmly greeted me as we met for lunch one day. And to fill in the missing blanks, the following year I connected with Letizia Campo for staying at her centrally located apartment, Casa Letizia, and arranged for my long-term stay.

So I arrived here in Bologna with some language classes under my belt, several trips to Bologna and the confluence of these wonderful people who have been indispensable in providing me information all along the route. They have also extended their hand of friendship to me which has been a large factor in my feeling comfortable and I know that they are there for me to ask questions, make recommendations and introduce me to others in Bologna.

Just recently after browsing at a nearby antique market on a sunny Sunday morning my phone alerted me to a message. One of my new friends was at the antique market and did I want to meet up.  Sure I said and met her at a nearby location, surprised but delighted to see that she was with not only her husband but 2 other couples.  All chatting in Italian with some English thrown in we went for drinks and a bite to eat.  Thinking that was it for the day, all started to wander down one of the main avenues.  “Where are we going” I asked my friend.  “There is no program (plan)” she said.  We wandered the streets window shopping along the way, meeting acquaintances and chatting, stopping for a gelato and then being joined by another woman I met the other night.  As the other couples eventually said their goodbyes, we headed off to where my friend’s car was parked.

Bologna from Sam Michele in Bosco

Expecting to say goodbye, her husband suggested that they show me some great views of Bologna as the day was so nice. Off we went into the hills above Bologna where I was able to see places I would not have without a car and enjoy some beautiful vistas.  Returning to the city center and saying our arrivederci’s , the other woman and I headed off for an aperitivo to cap off the day.

I had just experienced “dolce far niente”- the sweetness of doing nothing. Watch this clip from “Eat, Pray, Love” for an entertaining explanation.

I do not know if I could feel so at home here if not for the serendipity of meeting these warm Bolognesi. I am a big fan of Rick Steves and his philosophy of seeing Europe through the back door, that is through the eyes of the local people and learning to appreciate other cultures for what they have to offer and seeing your own through other’s eyes. My second trip to Italy was on one of his tours and it gave me the confidence to travel Italy and Europe on my own.  Thanks Ben Cameron!

I started this post to talk about another “living in Italy” experience that was made easier because of the people I know here.  It was not a major event- just getting my haircut.  But as I sat to write about it I realized I wanted to provide the background on my being here and how knowing people, anywhere you decide to make a new life, makes the transition so much easier- be it a new culture or just a new state.  After all, isn’t it all about the people you encounter on your life’s journey that matter the most?  I believe it is. And most importantly, how you approach those people with respect to their culture and traditions.