Got an early start today, and discovered a whole area of town not seen before, just outside our hotel. Toy shop, meat shop, restaurant, bunch of cops standing around waiting for trouble that never happens. First stop — The Basilica of San Francesco, built in 1237. Outside are the Tombs of the Glossarists — airborne catacombs for teachers of Roman law. Then on to the flower mart, and the Trambus Open. One all-day pass buys you “hop on, hop off” privileges, and a Bologna-wide tour. We opted to “hop off” in the middle of nowhere, but got a great panoramic view of the city skyline in the bargain, followed by a long slog in the heat. Back to the room for exhausted napping. It it so very, very hot. Molto caldo. But the Italians don’t seem to sweat. The men wear long-sleeved shirts with ties and jackets. Evening was devoted to shopping. Found a small wind-up surfer for Conner, an Opinel for Mike (nifty folding knife) and a purse-size fan for Liz, who has taken to pointing it at sweating waiters and waitresses, who seem grateful, or at least not too annoyed. Dinner at Cafe du Midi Restaurant and Pizzeria at Via Porto Novo. Home for a shower and a long, drained sleep.

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