PARMA

It is becoming increasingly clear to me that I should abandon any thoughts I might have about closing my gallery and becoming a travel writer. I wouldn’t make it; I fall in love with every place I visit! It doesn’t matter what city I’m in, I always find something to love about it...Bologna, Ravenna, Ferrara, and now Parma. I arrived at the train station this morning planning to go to Rimini, but at the last minute decided to go north instead of south, and took the train to Parma. One hour later I walked out of the station at Parma. I had a general idea of where to go, but as soon as I could I purchased a city map and found the streets that would take me to the old, central part of the city where I would fall in love once more.

Here is another reason I would not make it as a travel writer...I have no interest in all of the historic sights, the museums, and cathedrals, and when I do see them could not tell you their names. My only interest is in the visual impact of the city and the texture and vitality of the streets. This means the shops, restaurants, green spaces, piazzas, and most importantly, the people. In the cities I have visited the people are everywhere, walking, riding bicycles or motor bikes, and climbing in and out of buses. I love the architecture, visually and spatially. I imagine living, or working in one place or another, shopping in the stores, and lounging in the cafes. I am fascinated by the housing, the apartments and condominiums and how they relate to the streets.

And when I’m not in the city but on the train, my eyes are glued to the windows taking in the country side: what kind of farms are there, what do the farm houses and barns look like? As we go through the small towns I’m constantly looking at the houses and apartments; are they neat, new, worn out and tired? I love to see the small, meticulously cared for gardens in the back yards, often with a small row of grapes and one or more fruit trees (reminds me of my grandfather and fathers garden on the farm).

And of course there is the food...about which I need say no more.