This morning I woke to shrieking wind and quivering window frames as a humdinger of a storm blew in to Bologna, Italy.
I pulled back my curtains and opened the windows in time to hear thunderous booms and see bursts of lightning as the skies opened and pelted the thirsty ground with much needed rain.
It was a lovely way to wake up. I wrapped a Pashmina around my shoulders and crept out to the kitchen to brew some coffee while the rest of the household slept. Soon I was back in my room, tucked under my fluffy white comforter and watching the storm with a cup of strong Italian coffee to keep me warm.
I’ve had influenza the last couple of days, and my friend Maddalena has taken such good care of me, bringing me fresh fruit, homemade minestrone soup, and letting me rest for hours on a lounge chair in her garden. After a solid ten hour sleep last night I’m feeling much better.
Bologna is Maddalena’s hometown and I have never met anyone so delighted by where they live. Exploring Bologna with her is like having your own personal tour guide, history professor, restaurant critic and best friend all rolled into one.
I can’t wait to tell you more about this place, including why it’s become one of my favorite cities in Italy. In the meantime, here are a few shots of an afternoon stroll we took through this marvelous medieval city.
Where is your favorite place to take people in your hometown?
There’s nothing like a bit of TLC when you’re not feeling well- what a special friend. Your black and white photos are stunning, Krista. I’m looking forward to hearing about Bologna
You are so right, Jenny! I can’t imagine how dreadful it would’ve been to be this sick on a train or by myself in a hotel somewhere. 🙂 I’m so glad you like the black and white pictures. 🙂
Awesome photos… a stunning city! Â I hope you are feeling better soon so you can enjoy Bologne!
Thank you so much, Lisa. 🙂 I’m doing better and better, just very tired. 🙂
It’s terrible to be ill when you’re in a beautiful city (I’ve been there). Hopefully you’ll be back to 100% in no time! Italian coffee and storm watching are both do wonders for healing. 🙂
…please scratch ‘are’ and ‘both’ from my last comment (I’m on a lap top and so not used to not having a mouse to fix things!) 😛
If you are going to be sick, you might as well be sick in beautiful surroundings. Feel better soon krista.
You rest up gorgeous, eat your vitamin C and let Italy’s profound beauty cure you!
Mmmmm – a bowl of hot minestrone soup would be so good right now…
thank you krista, for all the nice comments about my family and I! It was great meeting you, hope you’ll come and visit us again! greetings from my family, everybody wishes you a great future of travels and happy people! love xxx
Hope you’re feeling better Krista…and the black and white photos are wonderful 🙂 Lucky you to have your own “personal guide”. Looking forward to hearing…and seeing…more 🙂