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.

View my photo gallery below:

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.

Inspired by THIS:

Set out on a mission to find a better bike lock. Got routed to stores with similar K-Mart quality. Eventually found a nice cobbler who also worked in a lock shop. He drafted this adorable note saying “help this English woman find a mighty lock.”

I showed the note to several people and finally someone put a mark on my map for a bicycle store and….waaala!

Too bad after I paid for it, even the store owner couldn’t get it to work.

That was a 20-minute process itself until he finally announced…”Now fixa!!”

Whew!

Here’s my personal take on this endeavor:

PARMA, Italy: I’m wondering if my father picked up the idea of baby seats on bicycles while he served in the Army during WWII. He was stationed in Japan and mostly worked in the car pool and helped priests serve Mass.

When he returned home, he graduated from Marquette University, married my mother, and had a family (7 kids total). He built this amazing baby seat bike with four seats on it for his children. (photo below)

It’s been very sentimental pedaling around Italy to see such a popular trend.

Men and women with baby seats on their bikes, running errands with children in tow. Such an easy way to get around town!

I must say…..nobody is wearing helmets, taking into account the traffic is more than bikes, cars, and pedestrians. there are also buses and trolleys – not track trolleys, but the type that run on an electric wire overhead, also known as a “trolleybus.”

Late start today. Toured the fantastic Giordano Ferrari puppet museum in Parma and now headed to Mantova. I’m about 80 miles from Milan with six days left to travel.

Youth hostel in Parma, Italy was my shelter for the night. Come along with me for a tour….

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Ways you can help:

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