Parma is even smaller than Bologna, but it felt more livable. I really liked the city. Our hostel was on the outskirts of the city, so we saw a fair amount of it in our travels. It was fun to see the city center and the more industrial aspects of it. I really liked the feel of it all.
There is a big park in Parma called Ducal Park, which is really pretty. There is a palace, which was closed, and a lot of sculptures and pretty cutaways. The park was a nice place to eat lunch.
There is a big park in Parma called Ducal Park, which is really pretty. There is a palace, which was closed, and a lot of sculptures and pretty cutaways. The park was a nice place to eat lunch.
We went to the Baptistery which was really pretty. I didn't really know what to expect and I was absolutely blown away. There was a tour group there, which kind of took away from it, but it was really nice. I loved the different colored stones and each of the columns and sections inside were different. No two capitals were the same. No two columns were the same. It was so artistically interesting. I don't know why I haven't learned of it before.
Each of the triangles within the baptistery were painted differently. It was really impressive. I just sat and looked at it for a long time. I couldn't imagine anything being more impressive, though, until I walked into the cathedral.
I don't think I closed my jaw for the first ten minutes I was inside of the cathedral. I could not come up with words. The walls, columns, and ceiling were all covered completely with elaborate frescoes. I think this was the most impressive thing I saw in Italy. It looked like sculpture, it was so intricately painted. My neck started to hurt, I spent so much time looking up. I really don't think I can accurately describe it. It was overwhelmingly beautiful. Erin left before me, and she joked with me later that she had already decided to come find me if I hadn't appeared within twenty minutes. Like the baptistery, I have no idea why I haven't heard of this cathedral in art classes before. It deserves to be recognized.
Parma was a great way to end the break. There was enough to do to keep us interested without stressing us out with the need to do too much. By the end, though, I was ready to get back to London. I've realized that I only have a few weeks left here, and there is still so much to do in this amazing city. Italy was great, but I was happy to get back to tea, and biscuits, and the English language.
And the city is already lit up for Christmas. London is beautiful.
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