- Spilamberto and Bologna

Spilamberto in Emilia Romagna is a sleepy little town between Modena (Moh-dah-nah) and Bologna. However, like so many other Italian towns it wakes up at festival time. On our last night in town there was a craft beer festival scheduled. All of a sudden this sleepy town was wall-to-wall people, full of cool music and great craft beer. Funny how many people at this festival knew where Portland Oregon was too. As we introduced ourselves to the vendors at the

Spilamberto town clock before the festival

"Spilamberto Lingo Operative Alla Spina" they recognized Portland right away. Prior to this the usual response was a blank stare followed by a slight recognition and something like, "Ahh yeah...just north of California?

In talking with a local in Perugia several days later she explained that Italy's interest in craft beer was just beginning to take off. "Actually", she said, "Italy basically does everything the U.S. does only 10 years later."

In the early afternoon we watched the town continue to get ready. They built chairs and tables out of pallets and setup the food and drink booths.

Spilamberto beer festival

Suddenly, the sleepy little town was engulfed in people and there was an all night party going on. While at the festival, as we sat eating a kebab, we met a guy who's son is attending Lewis and Clark College in Portland Oregon. Weird coinsidence to meet him in Spilamberto of all places. His wife was from the Boston area and we sat and discussed our countries and their differences. As a former Engineering student at the University of Bologna he explained how he had seen historic books including some containing writings by Galileo sitting around in the basement unprotected and gathering mold. "Meanwhile, in America you construct an entire building to incase a single uniform from a war fought 230 years ago, and then charge money to get in...very smart."

The portico's of Bologna

He also expressed frustration about how Italy treats its pedestrians. "Not like in your country where streets are logical and it's easy to walk around. One time though, I was in that square in Portland, what's it called...something for the Pioneers? I'm standing there in the square, lighting my cigar and a policeman comes over to tell me I can't smoke here. What?! I was in the town square and I couldn't smoke? Wow, if I couldn't smoke in the square, where COULD I?!" It was fun sharing perspectives. We talked about linking up later that night to meet his son who was in town for a frisbee golf tournament but we never did.

Before leaving Emilia Romagna we spent an afternoon in Bologna. This is another great Italian city with impressive portico's, amazing history, a lively music scene and what some claim is

LP's

Neptune statue in Bologna

the oldest University in the world. While there, we perused a record store, walked through a city park, visited the University and got an excellent meal. All-in-all a great afternoon in a very fun city. Shannon and I both agreed Bologna is well worth a closer look sometime in the future.