I am normally a person who would try to have a schedule, a predetermined place and plan. Yet, within the city of Bologna, I found myself wandering, experiencing, finding small things hidden behind the tourist facades. We started off walking as a class to the University of Bologna, the oldest university in Europe. There we saw the room the Mary Shelley was sparked with the content necessary to write Frankenstein. The old lecture hall creaked from the years of  age and use. There were statues protruding from the ceiling and a marble pedestal staged in the  center of the room. We also explored the building, losing ourselves in their original library. I wish I could have touched the spines of ancient knowledge.

In smaller groups, some of us walked to find the medieval towers. They proudly rose above the city, almost kissing the sky. We decided to eat before hand. We found a marketplace to eat at but right outside the facility, there was a man playing the Cello. It was absolutely beautiful. He would close his eyes and would lose himself in the music. Eventually, he would look to Mary or me and smile, a trick I’m sure he learned to woe women, especially their purses. He played classics like Vivaldi ‘s Spring and Canon in D. He also brought out my inner nerd by playing bits fro the Lord of the Rings soundtrack and Game of Thrones.

We all paid him for his skill and beauty and went to  grab lunch. Afterwards, we began to talk with him. I found out how he came to Italy after college in Brazil. After the death of his father’s death, he lost everything. Mary and I Asked why a man with a bachelors degree would be a street performer. With a bass toned voice, he explained that playing in an orchestra paid less than him performing on the street. He was still able to live comfortably and enjoy his passion for travel. I can’t imagine, after all his hard work, that a prestigious title of an orchestra performer is not enough for a living wage. I think of Italy as a prime supporter for the arts. It was a shame to hear. Luckily, we were able to hear him before he finished for the day. We also saw an artist who had a theme about cats. Each piece had a small black cat. I loved that he was kind enough to draw Mary a small portrait in her moleskin. These artists both had such great talent. I found it ironic that they were heading to Florence to show their craft once we were about to head home.

We finished the day wandering into stores, acting like small children. We explored, played, and lived among the locals. We took in the scents of perfume stores, leaving the scents like a veil behind us. We were at ease. I wonder if I can apply this relaxation at home? I was able to be free to explore the world, something I’ve always wanted to do. I didn’t travel further than the mall area of Bologna between the towers and my hotel, but I saw a lot. Those brief connections with people stick with me. Sometimes scenery flashes by, unobtainable in my memories, but when I get to experience another person’s life, I cherish it. This trip is proving that it isn’t about what we have scene, but what we have experience.

Another one of my doodles, capturing the simplicity of my day.