We were up at 8:00 AM and I went down to the front desk to ask for the best way to contact a doctor. I was told that they would contact the hotel doctor, and even though he was on vacation, he should get in touch with us this morning.
After waiting until close to noon, I went back downstairs for an update and was told that the doctor had not called them back. I must admit I got angry asking why we had not been updated, and that I was upset that an entire morning had gone by without doing anything to help my husband. I told him that there must be alternatives that we should be looking into. Doing nothing was not an option.
The young man at the hotel admitted he should have kept us informed and made several phone calls, none of which amounted to anything. I went upstairs completely expecting Dan and I would have to go to a hospital emergency room when the phone rang. The hotel doctor would be calling our room directly.
Dr. Stefano Crooke called within a minute of that conversation and spent a long time on the phone with Dan. He prescribed some medications that he thought might help until we could get home. His English was perfect, and he was asking all of the right questions. We were very grateful he took time from his vacation to give Dan a call.
We checked with the hotel desk for the nearest pharmacy, and had them make an appointment for Dan to take a COVID test. Then off we went in search of drugs. As I mentioned earlier, it is easy to spot a pharmacy because they are clearly marked with large green crosses. There was one close to the hotel. It is interesting that the pharmacist handed back the prescription after filling it. Does that mean we could go elsewhere to have it filled again? Or would computer records prevent our doing so? Dan also had a COVID test that came back negative.
I think talking to a competent physician, and getting new drugs that should help quell his cough, made us both feel better. We decided to take a walk so we could see a bit of Bologna. Down the street from our hotel were two leaning towers from the 12th century located in the Piazza di Porta Revengnana.
The Torre degli Asinelli and the Torre Garisenda were strategically located at the point of entry to the city. The Torre degli Asinelli was built in the 11th century and named after the family that commissioned it. At over 97 meters it is the tallest in Italy. The two towers used to be interconnected with a walkway and suspended passageways. They are both learning, but in opposite directions. During WWII the Asinelli tower was used as a watch tower. During bomb strikes volunteers were positioned on top to observe where bombs hit so ambulances could be dispatched quickly. Apparently leaning towers are not uncommon. I am not sure why the leaning tower of Pisa became such an icon.
Bologna is a city of porticos. They are really a nice idea since they keep you dry from the rain and they protect you from the hot sun. In addition, they are architecturally attractive. We walked by the Piazza and Palazzo della Mercanzia. The old market district was right in front of the palazzo. The palace, built in 1391 was used for customs and taxes. Judges of the Merchants would use the small balcony when reading verdicts and communications to the public.
We walked through the Piazza Santo Stefano. It is a pedestrian zone often used for cultural events, flea-markets and concerts. There were some interesting shops along the way selling unique items such as plastic garden gnome watering cans. We also stopped for pizza at Fra Diavolo whose signage read EAT PIZZA, MAKE LOVE. Left over from the 60’s? We also passed by a huge outdoor market selling all kinds of wares including clothing, shoes, glasses, kitchen supplies, etc.
On our way back to the hotel we paid another visit to the Piazza Maggiore. This time we saw a street artist playing classical music on an electronic piano in the middle of the square. We also saw a streaker get arrested after making a mad dash across the square. Just another late afternoon of frivolity in Italy. After such entertainment it was time for a cooking class.
The head chef of the hotel, along with the hotel’s expert pasta maker, gave us a quick lesson on how to make Tagliatelle with Bolognese Ragu and Rice Cake. The pasta maker was very talented. She created a ball of dough made from white flour, semolina flour, and eggs. While the chef and his translator explained how to make Ragu, she continued to work the dough. Eventually it was turned into a large, extremely thin sheet. She then showed us how when the dough is cut in a certain way and rolled or twisted in a certain way it can be turned it into a variety of different types of pasta. It was like a magic trick. Dinner that night was at the hotel’s beautiful dining room and consisted of the recipes they showed us how to make. All delicious.
Dan is giving his new meds a try tonight. Hopefully we will both get to sleep. Today did give us an opportunity to rest up and our travel companions feel more relaxed knowing that Dan tested negative.
BY THE WAY WITH WENDY & DAN 