I had some trouble locating my hostel in the hills outside of town in the dark since I had several things going against me...I had driving directions from the airport, not the satellite rental car lot...the road into Bergamo was blocked off and closed...and the road signs were in Italian (unfortunately there weren't simple names like "Elm" (Elmo?) and "Main." No, of course they were mostly multi-word names packed with a dizzying array of zz's)
After driving around for an hour, I was just about to park off to the side of the road and fold down the seats so I could sleep in a fetal position in the car. Right then I saw a road sign with a familiar-sounding word linked to my hostel, and suddenly I was back on track. I checked into the silent hostel, found my room, and stumbled through the dark to claim the last available bunk of 8 in the room. Not having met my sleeping roommates and wanting to keep close tabs on my suitcase, I decided to sleep with it on my bed - even though that meant I still had to sleep in a fetal position.
The next morning I decided to go for a bit of a walk through Bergamo. I hadn't read up on the town, since I didn't think I'd be spending much time there and I didn't realize that it was as big as it was. It was a neat surprise to "discover" that within the boundaries of the modern city was a medieval city atop a hill and surrounded by a massive 17th-Century wall constructed by the Venetians. I could have easily spent days exploring the narrow, cobbled streets and storefronts of Citta' alta (Upper City). At the end of the weekend, Mom, Dad and I were able to explore a bit more of the city before leaving for Scotland.
My stroll through town took me past this classic Italian farmhouse outbuilding just outside the modern portion of Bergamo (Citta' bassa).
Except for the ducks, I had this path around the outskirts of modern Bergamo all to myself.
The funicular railcar provides easy access to the medieval portion of Bergamo. I discovered it at the top of the hill after hiking up a narrow street and entering Citta' alta through the gate at Garibaldi Port.
Looking southwest over Citta' bassa from the wall of Citta' alta
Gotta have at least one shot with a Vespa in it
Who needs bottled water when you've got access to Citta' alta's plaza fountain?
Citta' alta scenery
My camera's self-timer function came in handy in some of the less-crowded parts of the city. Mom, Dad and I just before leaving Italy for Scotland.
2 comments:
Ciao, bella... that's about all the Italian I know- well, except Pronto which is how one answers a mobile phone and food stuffs! I loved Rome! Isn't Ryanair fun? They tell you the city but you land about thirty minutes away from the city!
What a neat but rather strange feeling to have personal experiences in one part of the world and then view them posted on your blog! I treasure the opportunity we had to visit parts of Italy and Scotland with you. Love you!
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