It's a been a while since our last post; a long while. I am always excited to return to Bologna, as it always feels like a homecoming -- I have a steady job here, albeit one that pays me zilch; a place to stay with a friendly face, and a city that I feel so incredibly comfortable in and familiar with even though with each visit new neighbourhoods and areas of the central part of the city seem to spring out of nowhere. It doesn't seem to matter that my language skills are pretty basic, as most people seem to be happy I am at least trying, and generally understand what I am trying to say anyway. I am forever uncovering incredible restaurants, which are not to be confused with elegant restaurants. They are usually trattorias serving delicious regional fare such as tagliatelle con ragu Bolognese, oven roasted rabbit, grilled pork chops, grilled chicken breasts, roast potatoes, stinco and the usual suspects when it comes to dessert - zuppa inglese, creme caramel, panna cotta.
Add to this wonderful culinary tradition a healthy shot of history and culture (Bologna is home to the oldest known university in the world, dating back to the 1000s) and you pretty much have my perfect city. Not to mention the temperature here rarely if ever dips below freezing; people noticeably shudder when I mention the numbing temperatures we endure in Canada), which means you can usually enjoy a glass of wine or coffee outside for most of the year.
I would live here if it was possible, but I am happy to just pretend I am a citizen here if only until the end of this week. I have a feeling obtaining citizenship would be a painful, irritating and near impossible process to endure anyway, judging by the fact 6 months after applying I STILL haven't received the official documents for my permission to stay. (We were granted papers as proof at the police office on the spot though).
I am going to miss Italy and Bologna in particular, like a long lost brother I just found then had to leave again. We have so much in common, but alas it's time to return home, which I am admittedly rather excited about. I kind of have a wonderful fiancée, a tiny wienerdog and a stack of hamburgers awaiting my return.
