Parma (Part 2)

   Here are some photos I took of my short visit to the interesting Parma.

Some lovers left this on one of the bridges of Parma River.

The Baptistery of Parma

Typical Street

The city center

The park lake

Typical houses among some ruins.

      This cool guy with a magenta jacket shouted, "Coco, come here!", when I was next to him. I thought he was calling out for his dog or son etc. but suddenly I saw this goose flapping its wings from the other side of the lake. It started quacking, swimming and dancing excitedly towards him. The guy caressed the goose's wings and head for a while while it rubs its head to his palms. This happened for about 5 minutes. I've never thought there can be a connection between a man and a bird this intimate... or that these birds can recognize a name given to them.. Amazing!

Parma: A Quick Visit

Last Sunday, I went to visit Parma, little a town of Emilia Romagna. Have you ever heard of the Parmesan cheese? It came from this place. I had one of the most unforgettable experiences ever here which I will tell on my next entry. Here is a sweet little quote I saw along the Parma River. It means 

" There is no city without poetry."

I hope you had a HAPPY VALENTINE' S DAY!

University of Bologna stroll

     Hello! It's been raining in the northern parts of Europe these days. I'm so grateful that the last time I went to Bologna, the weather was perfect! My main destination was the University of Bologna.

     The University of Bologna (UniBo) is the oldest university in the world. It was founded in 1088. Among its famous alumni are Dante Alighieri, Albrecht Durer and Guglielmo Marconi. It is located along via Zamboni near the city center but it also has branches in Buenos Aires and four other Italian cities.

     I expected it be very very classical with highly maintained walls and porticoes with people dressed in expensive suits or uniforms but its actually not. The entrance of colleges are full of posters and different kinds of vandals. Some are poems, anti government quotes, curses and some are graffitis.

The entrance to the Faculty of Economics 

Entrance to the theater

Humanities building entrance

Chemistry building 

Entrance to the Fine Arts Building

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The Institute of Botany

Children on a trip at Orto Botanico, UniBo's garden

The Sala Borsa or public library is one of my favorite places. It is located in Piazza Maggiore.

Sala Borsa interior. I love the atmosphere. There is a piano inside where you can play from 6 pm onwards

Posters and ads

Posters




Though UniBo is full of senseless graffitis outside, it still maintained its legacy as one of the top schools in Italy and in the world.  I would love to study a course here someday.

Buona giornata a tutti!

Christmas in Bologna

Bologna will always be one of my favorite cities. There is always something interesting each time you look at a certain direction. Last December, I went for an interesting walk around the city. Thank God there is no snow! Here are some of the pictures I took!

I went on top of the Asinelli Tower first. It is 97 meters above the ground and the view is just breathtaking! You have to pay 3 euros to enter but it is really worth it.

The San Lucca Basilica with a glorious sunset.

The city center is open for people to walk through during the weekends. I really love the atmosphere.

A wonderful view from the top of the Asinelli Tower.

The Two Towers of Bologna looking beautiful as ever.

The man inside this shop is playing the theme song of the movie Amelie on his piano. It really made me study my piano pieces again!

A tribute for Nelson Mandela in Piazza Maggiore.

A woman goes for a bike ride at Parco Margarita, Bologna's largest park.

A family plays with their dogs.

A street performer along via Independencia.

Vienna at Winter

Hallo!

Sorry for the late post! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all! =D.

     Anyway, the first place on my list to visit when I go to Vienna is the Hundertwasserhaus. It is a building designed by my favorite artist/environmentalist Hundertwasser. After taking my breakfast, I've decided to walk from my hotel to the building. It was very cold and drizzling a little but it never stopped me!

God it is soooo creative!

     I went inside this whimsical apartment and saw recycled glass bottles turned into walls. It reminds me of one of my favorite places in Baguio city, Philippines, the VOCAS art space. It has a lot of mosaics and there is abundant vegetation. I am so inspired by Hundertwasser.

     After staying for an hour at Hundertwasserhaus, I walked towards the Belvedere Palace with the intention of seeing Klimt's paintings including 'The Kiss'.  After almost an hour walk in the rain and wind, I've reached my destination. 

The way to the Belvedere Palace

A woman enjoys the tall tree from below

The Palace from the outside

Taking photos is forbidden inside the palace so I took a photo of the outside.

The palace lights up as dusk approaches

The Belvedere at night

     After adoring hundreds of paintings by masters like Klimt and van Gogh, I've decided to go home. I took the subway. I rested a little and watched CNN. After an hour, I have to get up because I am going to Stephensplatz. I was convinced by a guy to watch a classical concert they will be performing at the place where Mozart used to entertain the Austrian royalties.

     When I arrived at the center, I was so thankful that the weather is better. I went to look for the place.

The concert hall

Dancers

     It was a wonderful experience! I am the only person there who went alone I guess. 

After the concert was finished at around 10pm, I went for a mini stroll around the center. The St. Stephen's cathedral was illuminated with colorful lights.

The Stephensplatz at night

     After a long day, I went for a simple dinner at a fastfood chain near my hotel and chatted with two friendly Filipino crew member. I went back to my hotel and drank a hot chocolate and immediately fell asleep!

     I woke up early in the morning and prepared all my bags. I went for a breakfast and then checked out. I was a little sad when I left. My plan before going back to Italy is to go to the UN Headquarters and to roam around the Ringstrasse or the center of Vienna.

     My trip to the UN Headquarters is one of the highlights of my trip. I really would love to work for the UN one day! The UN headquarters is like another state of Austria. It has over 4, 000 workers from 110 countries inside.

The conference room. This is one of four rooms. The walls are detachable so as to give way for bigger conferences.

After my UN trip, I went to the center.

The National Library

The Volksgarten

The Parliament

The Parliament with a sculpture of Athena

The Rathaus and its famous Christmas market!

     I strolled for a whole day! My feet is so tired and sore but I absolutely loved it! I met an American friend who is backpacking around Europe too.

     After a very tiring day, I decided to head to the train station to eat and prepare for my trip. I said goodbye to my friend and took the subway to the Westbahnhof. I ate at a sandwich and then headed to look for my train!

     I was so tired that day but I had soooo much fun! I will go back soon! I will see you again enchanted Danube!

View from my train the next day! Good to be back in Italy!