When we first started talking about our third trip to Italy we talked of checking out some of the southern parts of the country. Places as yet unexplored by the Wagnersons. Then we saw a short bit on the television about Eataly. It was described as a food theme park located in Bologna. Hmmm, what could sound better than that for  the foursome who first set foot in Italy with the motto of “starting in the north and eating our way south”?  Plus the fact that we love Bologna. Anyway we revised our itinerary and nixed southern Italy and decided to just go back to our favorite places, including of course,Bologna. As time went by and we did a little more investigating and began to wonder if Eataly was all that it was cracked up to be. We had a good time in Rome. We had a great time in Sorrento. Then we arrived in Bologna.

We spent a few days just exploring the city and then to set out in earnest to find Eataly. When we found it we were somewhat amused and more than a little disappointed. It was practically next door to the hotel we had stayed at last time and was not much more than an oversized Barnes and Noble.  Really, that was it? We went back to the room for a rest and did some more research. No that was not it. Eataly Park was just out of town, a short bus ride. We asked several people about it and nobody seemed to be bubbling over with enthusiasm. Still, that was a big part of the reason we were here. So with the next day being our last full day in Bologna we said good night with plans to meet at 9am for a light breakfast and then to catch the bus. As Doug and I were getting ready for bed I asked what he would think of him and staying home the next day. It all of a sudden sounded like too much work. We’re not as young as we were and we were both feeling a little tired. His immediate response was “it wouldn’t break my heart”  So it was settled. The only thing left to do was tell Dale and Lynda They showed up at our room at 9 as planned. We said our usual good mornings and how did you sleep. Then it got quiet for a minute and Lynda said “what’s wrong”.  I planned to kind of just ease into the discussion but ended up just blurting out that we didn’t want to go but they still should. I wasn’t sure what the response would be but it came quickly from Dale. He didn’t want to go either. We all started talking and laughing at once. That’s why they’re our besties.