I hop the train early this morning for a day trip to Ferrara. It’s the busiest train I’ve been on so far and I share the three other seats with an elderly couple and a young girl. The husband keeps eyeballing me so not sure how I’ve offended him since I’m just sitting quietly in my seat. Nothing against Italians, but they’re not the most friendly. I try to smile and greet everyone but I don’t usually get much of a response. They seem to keep to themselves unless with friends or family. It may be different if I actually spoke the language.
I’m feeling a little melancholy today even though I shouldn’t be considering I’m on a five week vacation in Italy. I love traveling on my own, and being on my own in general, but I do get lonely at times. I haven’t met many people during this trip compared to when I was in Greece. The locals there were quite chatty and I would have random conversations with people on a daily basis. It’s been different here. I shrug it off and focus on enjoying my day.
Ferrara is a smaller town with a medieval castle and cathedral dominating the main square. Unfortunately the church is under renovation so I don’t get to see it in all it’s splendour. It’s market day today and the piazza is packed with stalls selling pretty much anything you can think of including clothing, cheeses, fruits & vegetables, books, meats & cheeses, fabrics, bathroom products and jewellery. Cyclists weave their way through the crowds of shoppers.
Everyone rides a bike here. Grandmothers, small children, students, elderly gentlemen with dogs in the front basket, women in skirts and heels, and men in suits. And the bicycles aren’t fancy and new. They look like they’re from World War II and on their last legs. The baskets are hanging by a thread and the tires are barely inflated.
I have a late lunch where I eat an entire large pizza to the astonishment of my waiter and waddle my way to the train station to head back to Bologna.
Off to Venice tomorrow and I’m super excited as I have always wanted to visit the floating city. Another place to tick off of my bucket list and the perfect place to spend my upcoming birthday.
