Up and at ’em early because we were meeting our dear friends Nadia, Loris and their son Elio for lunch in Bologna.  Seems crazy, right but it was totally worth it!

We had a really crazy morning–we are having craziness with our phones, still!– and as we were finally ready to go couldn’t find the apartment keys–ANYWHERE!!!  So I called Elisa, who fortunately lives just upstairs, and asked her if she had a second set.  Yes–so I ran up there (I saw her in the cutest pajamas, ever!) and we were easily able to catch our vaporetto to the train station. Got coffe at the bar inside the station.  There is a new upscale looking one in the front lobby but we skipped it and went in where the trains are.  And off we went to Bologna.  I had imagined we would walk around with our friends until our 1:00 restaurant reservation but it was raining.  So, they picked us up in front of the train station and we drove around Bologna for a while looking for parking near enough to the restaurant so we wouldn’t get too wet.  Finally found a spot and it just about had stopped raining.  We had a nice short stroll from there.  Elio was my star Italian teacher a few years ago; he’s really a natural, talented teacher and I’m sure he’s not even reading this. We met his parents last year in Florence and really enjoyed each other.  So, it was a treat just to be together with them again.  We had a great lunch at Drogheria della Rossa in Bologna.  Wonderful pastas–2 on the plate–plus an extra plate of traditional ragu.  Loved the desserts.  I took no picture at all.  I was just into being with them.   Elio is really special to me and the time was precious.

They drove us back to the train station and we dozed a bit on our way back to Venice. Walking home from the station I took these:

For Antonio, with love

My goal was to make it to the Puppa Bar for a spritz and we did. I tried mine with Cynar this time but I think I still like Aperol best.  As we were sitting there we had a wonderful  small world moment.  Hard to explain but a couple came in and we started talking and they, from North Carolina, are best friends with one of our neighbors.  They have been to our community and know everyone we know!  We had such a wonderful little visit with them!  Also, they knew about the “Spritz Bianco” which had prosecco, ginger lime and mint in it.  Had to try one, of course. We came home from there and did nothing for dinner but eat snacks (taralli, Pat) around here and called it a wonderful day!  By the way, we found the keys.

The Orient Express!

Ken thinks his umbrella is a teaching tool. Either that or he’s got an invisible tour group behind us???