In keeping with efforts to make the piazza a community place to bring the children, a little food fair has been setup for a week. I found a flyer. It's the Slow Market. The huts which house each vendor must belong to the city. These same stands are used for the German Christmas Fair in Piazza Santa Croce. Today I see about 20 vendors.
I felt hunger pangs. I have a pear and yogurt with me but now I'm thinking I need more. I bought a hunk of cheese and a piece of salami. Hanging from the rafters I saw cellophane cones of dried oregano. I bought two for Rosa and Marta. As I was walking away, I realized I needed one too. Too late to go back. I lingered in the sunshine too long.
I was 15 minutes early to SMN, the train station. I checked the electronic departure board. The train to Milano via Bologna is 25 minutes late. I see all the trains are late, which is unusual. So we all, lots of us, stand here and wait. The beggars make their rounds, twice. The same ones who I always see here. Checking the ticket machines for missed change and the coming right up close to ask for money.
The ride from Firenze to Bologna is fast, about 30 minutes. I jumped off, validated my ticket and put it away in my purse. My passport is in a pouch, which is tied to my belt loops and then hidden under my clothes. I have my money stored in various locations. Being pick pocketed once was a lesson in spreading out in more than in place, identity documents, money and credit cards.
I located the paper Partenza (departures) schedule board to see how and when I can catch the next train to Piacenza. I had luck. At binario 6, the train is there and is leaving in 8 minutes. Knowing where the elevators are helps a lot. I walked fast, took an elevator down, walked down the underground corridor to the sign for Binario 6 and took another elevator back up. The train was still there. I jumped onto the last car, asking twice, "per Piacenza?" The first group of young men looked a little scruffy, but they were polite and held the door open for me. The second check, I asked another passenger inside the car.
That last car was first class, so I dragged my bag thru to the next car. Luckily the aisles are wider than normal, so I was able to roll straight through. The place in between cars is always full of young men. Perhaps they like to smoke there? They were polite and held the door open so I could squeeze through.
No room for me and my bag, so I had to prop it up in front of someone's knees, while I took a seat several rows away. That snack car, ringing its bicycle bell rolled through two times. The aisles need to be clear.
We had a little drama one exit before Modena. The conductor came through to validate tickets. Nice because he told me to get off at Fidenza, which I might not have known a few years ago. My ticket says Piacenza to Cremona, which is not exactly true. Nice he reminded me and even better, I understood him.
12.28 binario 6 Bologna per Piacenza. Fidenza a Cremona
A few seats down, someone had to buy a ticket. As the conductor stood there, an immigrant came up to tell him, that he also needed to buy. But something was wrong, because the conductor told him to get off subito. Then he pulled out his cell phone and made a call to report the non ticket holder. I watched and the next stop, the guy did jump off. I didn't see if the police were waiting.
Parma stop. Time to pay attention. Fidenza is coming up. I know there is no elevator there. I'll have to drag this bag down and up. I have no idea how long I will have to wait for the next local train to Cremona.
1.45 at Fidenza. There is no elevator here, of course. With my movers brace still on, my bag and I have gone down and back up to Binario 4. No stress because there is no rush. Only 22 minutes to the next train and there are already five of us waiting. It's overcast and a little cooler here. It feels like rain but hopefully it holds off. There is no shelter out here. I saw water in the down stairs corridor. Looks like it was raining earlier.
I see a message in Italian from Rosa on my Italian phone. 'Let me know where you are at 5.00 and I'll come and get you.' I don't consider myself bilingual yet, but I am making progress. I feel the same joy understanding as when I eat chocolate. It's a great feeling.
2.20 on the train for Cremona. It's a new train! The outside is covered over totally with graffiti but inside, the seats are new and the windows have no scratches. Also a new intercom with announcements. And a new whistle! I think we're traveling faster too.
What a pleasant surprise! We came in on the tracks near the station. Ovest I think. I don't need to go up and down and stairs. No one will be waiting for me, but it's not an issue.
I found the restroom to be spotless clean with big rolling doors on the stalls, so one can keep luggage with you at all times. As I rolled through the station, I saw more changes. The magazine stand is either gone or moved to another location. The woman who ran that stand was always cranky. I learned years ago not to touch anything! Point and buy only.
I had two hours to pass so I walked through town slowly. It was a little chilly. I couldn't locate the hot chocolate shop. And then it started to rain. I have an umbrella with me at all times, but that doesn't keep my bag wet.
At 4, I called Rosa and told her my location. So close, she said...just go home. Luckily Marina had returned home a little early. The outside gate was already open, as was the door to the building. But I buzzed anyway to alert Marina.
I rode the elevator up and when the door opened, there stood Marina, welcoming me home. Amazingly my comprehension was 100% as she spoke and hugged me. I was dead tired.
I unpacked the bag before the wetness seeped in, filling the tops of both twin beds with my clothes, accessories and gifts. Just as I was about to change out of my sweaty clothes, Rosa arrived. I love this family so much. Hugs all around and then I raced into the bathroom to clean up.
I asked Rosa for a something to eat. We went to her place (across the hall) and she fed me cheese and crackers and lots of water. It was just what I needed to revive, hugs, clean clothes and food.
One by one, everyone arrived. Next was Primo. I have to repeat, I love this family.
Marina opened the door for Marta, carrying baby G. He took one look at me and his face changed from a smile to astonishment. A stranger, in his home, why, how? It all showed on his sweet face. And then he started crying. Hard.
Marina had his dinner all ready and Rosa put him into the high chair. Baby G switches hands quickly and quietly here. It was an amazing dance to watch. One moment Rosa is feeding him little bits of soft goat cheese from her finger. Then Marta is feeding spoonfuls of a delicious smelling vegetable-cereal-cheese soup. I glance away and Mario is feeding him. In the meantime, pizza is being made in the kitchen.
At some point Mattia arrived too! More hugs.
Someone brought me the first pizza. Ohh so delicious. I was so tired I could have just laid my head down right there. We all enjoyed pizza, which is just as good as that from any restaurant. For dessert diced banana, kiwi, apple (macedonia) lemon juice and sugar . Served cold with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
We played with iPhones for a little. Primo suggested I download "Whatsapp" so we can all share pictures and chat, for free with WiFi.
At 8.45 we were all done for the day. I fell asleep looking at the glowing constellation of stars on the ceiling of my bedroom.
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