Pizzica in the land of pizza

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Every now and then a person finds themselves in the right place at the right time whilst travelling and a unique experience happens. One such memorable night came together for Kris and I while we were in Bologna.

The trip up to that point had been a success. We had climbed towers, drank cheap cold red wine, and followed Bologna's porticoed streets up in the hills to see the church and the view. Unfortunately this blog is a bit overdue (2 months, acually) and I have forgotten the names of some of the sights. We also took a train to Venice to enjoy the tiny streets, the cramped (yet charming) restaurants and sit in the back of a water bus much longer than our tickets allowed. However, although Venice really is a one-of-a-kind city, I know that hundreds of travellers have enjoyed the same experiences and have expounded on them much more eloquently than I can.

After a night's stay in Venice we returned to Bologna. And we met Alfredo. Alfredo gave us a place to stay through one of my favourite websites, couchsurfing (www.couchsurfing.com) . Luck had it that he was also helping to organize a party in the basement of a local pub the following evening. Now Alfredo may not be your average Italian, or your average man in general. He is a computer scientist and high-tech researcher, a history buff, a food aficionado, and in all ways a details man. So when he planned this party he thought of it all: delicious, yet affordable wine brought in by the jug from a local vineyard; food, and lots of it; and music. The music that we were introduced to is called pizzica, from the Salento area in the south of Italy. Alfredo recommends interested parties check out YouTube videos to get a taste. I recommend experiencing it for yourself in a pub basement after a few glasses of wine.

You start with a few giant tamborines (did I mention our host also played the giant tamborine? He does). Shake them, drum them, and really get into it. Then add an accordian, a guitar or two, and hand claps and foot stamping for all who don't have instruments. Eventually a few of the foot stampers will get in the middle of things and really dance. It's a fast, whirling, toe pointing, stomping dance that's contagious. You can do it alone in the corner, with a group, with a partner (as long as you don't kick their shins too much). Only a few people had obvious dance experience and backgrounds, but they were happy to lead the rest of us in a rousing, room shaking good time. One of the guitar plays had an amazing, low, mournful voice that somehow when perfectly with the fast music. We all danced until we were sweaty, until the wine was gone, and our feet hurt. We danced until the pub closed and we were kicked out into the streets. I danced so much someone asked if I was Italian. Something about Kris' particular style of dancing warrented questions about his sexuality, his availability, and his resemblance to David Beckam. We both felt pretty good abour our 'moves'.

A bit tired and very happy we started home. Luckily, we bumped into a few of the musicians and amazingly, they still had energy to spare. So we took over the piazza major (main square) and kept it going until the wee hours. After our second wind of energy had long gone, along with our third we finally went home and slept. The following day had a lovely afterglow that lasted through one last amazing Italian meal, and even stayed with us through another not so comfortable Ryanair flight. My feet hurt all that week, but it was worth it.

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Photos

Porticos and new friends
Heading up the longest strip of porticoes - 666 of 'em to be exact

Alfredo
I wish I could remember the name of those giant tamborines

Comments

[Euniece]

Wish I was there
The pizzica dancing sounds amazing. Fatama and I sure could have used some of that music on New Years Eve.

[Collette]

fun! sounds like fun! ah, you will have to cook for us when you get home.... I'm sure you've picked up a few new tricks by now!