Vineyards are Italian and code word for “vino,” right? The grapes look a little small and tart yet to me. I’m on a very small rural road headed to Vesto. This stop is a bit dodgy as I hear a dog barking in the background, and he sounds like he’s getting closer…..

The grapes….. I don’t really know. I’m more of a “hops and barley girl” myself.

Spent time at the Galleria Nazionale in Parma.

Spent some time at the Ducal Palace, also known as Reggia di Colorno, built in the 18th century. A French- and Italian-landscape garden showcases pristine grounds keeping. After being damaged in World War I, it was restored to it’s original splendor. I’m in awe.

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Shoes!

That’s an Italian thing, right? I stopped to window shop and share some of the exciting shoe trends that will be coming to the States. One unique fashion statement has been ORANGE shoes. Not a fluorescent orange, but a brilliant orange; like a starburst on your feet.

The other trend I’m witnessing is a rich powder blue shoe color. I’ve seen it on men. The blue is similar to the color carpenters use when they snap a chalk line.

Many of the Italian men are slim and dressed in simple suits, but they all look slick. Stefano helped me find the music museum in Parma. He lived in Canada 10 years ago and his English was very good. “That’s not the lock you’re using to keep safe bik,” he asked about my new €16 lock I was so proud of.

“No, no. Chince. Let me show you,” and we went to his accounting office where he pointed to a hefty chain lock. It seemed to me that it was something that you’d keep your bulldog on if you lived next door to a cat factory.

Anyway, Stefano was very friendly and gave me good directions – and he really cut a fine form in his suit. He also had those smooth blue shoes…. But I didn’t think how much I liked them until I started window shopping.

This was just off the main road in Parma. Reminded me of the 7-mile Fair, just not on such a grand scale.
Lots of “selfie sticks!”

There’s a rich culture of art and history in Parma.

One of the sculptures that fascinates me is at the beginning of Via D’Azeglio. This is a monument to Filippo Corridoni, a First World War hero who fell during the Third Battle of Isonzo. The bronze monument was unveiled in 1927. It was designed by architect Mario Monduidi and realized by Alessandro Marzaroli.

I feel the sculpture is powerful because you can’t see the face. The expression in the sculpted man’s body is one of combined freedom, ecstasy and flight – or that of pain.

The statue is on a 13-meter pedestal. There are four heads fused in marble at the squared base, along with four eagles and four sentences by Corridoni — “FAITH, LOVE, POVERTY, REVOLUTION blaze”

There are so many grand churches all across Italy. The churches in the small towns are just as ornate as the larger cathedrals in the big cities.

There is no white space and it’s obvious the trend set by Michelangelo, who spent years on his back painting the ceiling of the Sistine chapel. Seems everyone then copied him.

Some of the trends in the churches include the magnificent methodical bell ringing, the dedication of the churchgoers to daily Mass, and the vigilant attention to keeping votive candles lit; the larger ones have had the natural flame replaced by electrical light bulbs.

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Alexandria

PARMA, Italy – Had the nicest breakfast at the hostel in Parma this morning with Alexandria who worked the reception desk. Alexandria is 30 years old, has a PhD in French literature, is wonderfully well-rounded and interesting to talk to.

A summary of our discussion is below:

“In Italy we take great pride in our food and restaurants. It’s the one thing we do really well. We judge the food by quality rather than, like the “States,” where you like quantity. No offense! I visited the States and I did not know what to do with all the food. And the size of your drinks?  Who can do that!?”

“We have messages on TV warning people about the dangers on the internet. We do not date on the internet. No offense, but wouldn’t you feel like a loser? We like meeting people face to face.”

“Dating is difficult because most men approaching their 30s live with their mother. Good jobs are hard to find and most men are mama’s boys.”

“When Italians visit America, they cannot find old things because the U.S. tears it down and builds new. We say…if you want to see old things, stay home.”

And my favorite:
“These Kardashians, who are they? Somebody stop them. Your government just do something.”

A magnificent sound is the tolling of the church bells in Parma. POWERFUL.

In the small town of Colorno. Just leaving the Reggia Di Colorno. A castle/ fortress built in 1337 and later transformed to a palace. Declared an “Imperial Palace” in 1807 and assigned to Napolean’s wife, Maria Luigia d’Asburgo-Lorena. She dedicated a lot of attention to the grand garden adjacent to the palace.