We were in a good spot to start early for Parma. Camping Arizona was still muddy from last night’s rain and the mud bogged us down a little, physically as well as mentally. It was 10am before we left, having had to pack the awning still wet.
In good time, we arrived in Parma, only to be mind-boggled again…this time by the old inner city, which as a surprise for us had limited access for cars. Google maps led us around in circles, through houses and into places we were not supposed to go. We didn’t quite understand it at the time but the inner city has zones that you’re not supposed to enter with a car. Electric cars would have been allowed in, though only with a permit that we would have needed to organize days ahead.
We just desperately tried to get to a charging point all of which were in the inner city with no good way to get there. It took us quite a while and little bit of driving through zones we weren’t supposed to be in to find a free charger and start exploring the city on foot. We will find out in a few months if that will cost us a bit extra.
Our first point of interest was a prosciutteria where Flo bought ham to take home and some salami and cheese to consume on the road. I would have loved to buy fresh pasta but we have no way of cooling it (and carry way too much food already) so it would probably spoil. Having secured these before lunch we went to “Officina Alimentare Dedicata Parma” where I’d booked a table to break our dry spell around lunch time. Parma, we had decided, was going to be all about food for us.
We dug in. Starters included both a local cheese and a cold meats platter. Both kids dug into Flo’s salami, Number 3 also liked my parmigiano reggiano. The Agent just sat there, slowly letting her piece of sausage dissolve in her mouth. We were quite impressed.
For mains, I had gnocchi with pesto, Number 3 went for tortellini, the Agent of Entropy got a torta fritta and Flo had buffalo tartar. Finally, the dessert I ordered was a lemon pie dipped in white chocolate with pistachios and cream on top. It turned out not to be entirely “my” dessert as I had to share it with Number 3.
Full to the brim, we got up and walked around a little more. We checked out the Baptistery and the Duomo, but soon after headed to the car to get to the next campground. Before settling in for the night, we had a short stop at a gigantic coop to stock up on things the Agent can eat as well as fresh milk. It took Flo and Number 3 45 minutes to come out of the grocery store again, getting lost twice in the huge complex.
Our campground for the night turned out to be quite…basic. It had the feeling of a rest stop near the Autobahn. It was the only option close to Bologna and we’d only stay one night – so okay. The mosquitoes were a different thing though. I got bitten so often that I retreated to the tent. After a mosquito sat on the Agent of Entropy’s temple, she came into the tent with me. Still full from our indulgence at lunch time, we had a light muesli dinner and went to bed soon after.
ok, bare with me: This is the Agent grabbing my phone, activating the camera and taking a non-garbage picture. We were impressed when we saw this 
here is the phone snatcher! 
Narrow but technically still legal – but left an right is the dreaded “Z.T.L.” 
he insisted on the underpass over the pedestrian lights – but the smell made him run 😀 
Nina saw the cat … Flo had to look twice to find it 
the streets are narrowing, we are getting closer to our goal 
Here we are – the white parasol. Half an hour too early, though. Time for some delicacy shopping 
That is the ticket … 
uhh yeah. But what to pick? Can I stay? 
Too much food, to few mealtimes available 😀 
Flo is not gaming, btw. We moved to an electronic Lonely Planet this time – having map support makes things easier. 
looks coplicated – glad they installed a mechanical clock right above 
I think the brief must have said “westling”, but I feel the sculptor had other things on his mind … 
narrow streets make for cool galavanting 
well … or racing around full tilt 
her body says biscuit – Since he learned the Italian word, number 3 started calling her biscotti 
Look at them … they want that pig carcass so bad 😀 
The zucchini flower fritter were great, but the salami just melted in your mouth … 
one smug Flo … he seems happy with his meal 
I feel that with both Flo’s love for savory treat and Nina’s sweet tooth, we have to focus hard on portion control for Number 3 … 
sign on a book shop for kids … 
sometimes one could hash a glimps of an inner yard, but much of what is probaly really pretty remains hidded from view for most … 
brick is such a confusing building material. For me, it is always associated with 18th and 19th century industrialisation, but here it could be just as well a 2200 year old roman building. 
a bit disappointing. We did not go into the baptistry – maybe it would have been really worth it. Ah well – the duomo was free and full of … 
… stain glass and … 
… Frescos! 
This was painted by Correggio some 500 years ago. Quite impressive! 
More frescos, by different painters – all very impressive 
Look at him … so happy 
Since the black forrest, Number 3 as powered through every city visit on his own two feet. What a trooper! 
Back at the car, 100% charge and the hobbits ready for an afternoon nap. Perfect! 
It took more than a moment to completely pass by Barillas huge plant near Parma. 
The team hiding from the tiger moskitos 
does not even look that bad on this photo. Should have snapped one of the sanitary block …
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