I keep on having periods of presence and absence on the blog lately and I want to apologize for that. I came to realize that Incognito really is a reflection of myself because when I have too much things going on in my life I tend to procrastinate A LOT. My procrastination goes hand in hand with a scarce social life, a bunch of books and magazines, a pen, a Moleskine and A LOT of thinking. I am having a major change in my life (which you will hear about soon) hence the birth of a wide range of mixed feelings in my heart.
Fortunately, Absolute.B (your Friday music gems' supplier) came to visit me before my procrastination got even worse. A good occasion to cook samgyupsal (korean BBQ) and bibimpap (another korean dish) when in Italy, a normal thing for us asian food lovers, make her discover the real flavour of pasta, pizza and gelato, showing her around and playing tourist with her. This is how during a sunny afternoon we ended up at Piazza Santo Stefano or how after four years of living in Bologna I finally entered the Basilica of Santo Stefano.
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| Sunny and colourful Bologna |
The hords of people in front of the basilica didn't enable me to take a picture of its façade but in the end the magic of this building happens when you enter it. I was surprised to see such a small and uncluttered church. Living in Italy you would expect to see Renaissance style popping out at every corner of a street but here it was all about modesty. The church was so simple that I didn't even think of taking its picture. It was only going further that I understood why Basilica Santo Stefano is also called "il complesso delle sette chiese" (the complex of the seven churches).
It is said that the construction of the basilica was an idea of San Petronio (bishop of Bologna from 431 to 450), the saint patron of the town. He wanted the religious building to imitate the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Bologna is a very surprising town in terms of dimensions and space. In a previous post I stated that Bologna looked like the typical medieval town and as such you will find tiny streets, porticos, buildings of medium height, in brief it is a human sized town. But don't let all this fool you ! Opening the door of a church or a palazzo here really is a thrilling experience, it's like discovering a brand new world : the dimensions and space management are never like you would have expected them to be. And speaking of it, basilica Santo Stefano is absolutely a place to visit to witness what I am talking about. It is huge like..HUGE, I mean who would have believed that passing through the tiniest door ever this place was really hiding 4 other churches ? (now did you get why this basilica is known as the complex of the seven churches ?)
Though the whole building is surprising, I do have my favourites that I chose to show you along with my "tourist" outfit (truth is to show you how extraordinary this basilica is I should rent a plane to take its picture from above) :
The Cortile of Pilato was the place that enchanted me the most in the basilica. Seeing it I could picture the monks walking and enjoying this green setting. My mind even started wandering around remembering some excerpts of The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco (if you don't know this book and the film they made based on it starring Sean Connery, then get to know them ! It is a delightful way to learn about the Middle Ages)
Feeling comfortable in what I am wearing and no feet pain is what make an outfit valid for me to play the tourist. If you follow me here on Incognito, you will realize (really hope so!) that my style is very laid-back. People always think that my style is kind of studied and sophisticated when all I strive for is to feel comfortable. That is the very reason why some of my everyday looks can easily become nightout ones. To do so I often change my shoes or my hairstyle and make up to look more classy, sexy, nerdy, funny etc..by the way remember my posts about reinventing my outfits ?
Another favourite of mine in the basilica is the church of San Vitale and Sant'Agricola. You will find every people visiting the basilica resting in its small garden.
Quite a nice place to rest, read or admire Piazza Santo Stefano right ? I like the contrast between the lively piazza swarming with people and this quiet garden. I believe that entering basilica Santo Stefano enabled me to finally understand why having greenery and gardens was so important in monasteries : they bring peace of mind. This explains why I didn't notice how noisy the piazza was when what separates it from the garden is a mere gate.
I initially wore a jacket and a cardigan with this outfit, but had to take them off because Mother Nature turned extremely lenient and finally let us have a taste of spring.
Though the whole building is surprising, I do have my favourites that I chose to show you along with my "tourist" outfit (truth is to show you how extraordinary this basilica is I should rent a plane to take its picture from above) :
The Cortile of Pilato was the place that enchanted me the most in the basilica. Seeing it I could picture the monks walking and enjoying this green setting. My mind even started wandering around remembering some excerpts of The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco (if you don't know this book and the film they made based on it starring Sean Connery, then get to know them ! It is a delightful way to learn about the Middle Ages)
Feeling comfortable in what I am wearing and no feet pain is what make an outfit valid for me to play the tourist. If you follow me here on Incognito, you will realize (really hope so!) that my style is very laid-back. People always think that my style is kind of studied and sophisticated when all I strive for is to feel comfortable. That is the very reason why some of my everyday looks can easily become nightout ones. To do so I often change my shoes or my hairstyle and make up to look more classy, sexy, nerdy, funny etc..by the way remember my posts about reinventing my outfits ?
Another favourite of mine in the basilica is the church of San Vitale and Sant'Agricola. You will find every people visiting the basilica resting in its small garden.
Quite a nice place to rest, read or admire Piazza Santo Stefano right ? I like the contrast between the lively piazza swarming with people and this quiet garden. I believe that entering basilica Santo Stefano enabled me to finally understand why having greenery and gardens was so important in monasteries : they bring peace of mind. This explains why I didn't notice how noisy the piazza was when what separates it from the garden is a mere gate.
I initially wore a jacket and a cardigan with this outfit, but had to take them off because Mother Nature turned extremely lenient and finally let us have a taste of spring.
In conclusion of this post : when coming to Italy DON'T rush at cities like Rome, Venice or Florence. Instead come to smaller towns, they will suprise you ! And before I forget this post was also about my outfit, with or without cardigan ?
beautiful place.. thanks for sharing...
ReplyDeleteI've been on and off my blog too...some days I just wanna shut it down because i feel i've let it lost its purpose... we'll see... but anyhow..my blog is silly, yours is always interesting and cultural.. and your posts could be once a week or every 2 weeks... it shows you really get prepared for those... so dont worry, do your thing..we'll wait :)
cool look.. the weather always gets in the way.. but I do love cardigans as layers so I think I like it more with it..cute shoes btw..take care!
Hello Ivette !
DeleteI am so glad you liked Basilica Santo Stefano :).
I have noticed that about your blog but as I said before our blog is a reflection of ourselves so maybe since you have changed location you feel more like making the most of the new place you are living in right now. I mean you really seem to enjoy yoga, your lifestyle there, to me you seem more relaxed. And since you are like that maybe your interest for your blog has shifted a little bit. In my opinion you should re-think about what you want to do with it. I miss all your drawings :).
Oh you made me such a huge compliment, thank you so much ! I will follow your advice about posting once a week or every 2 weeks because soon I will be really busy. I am just afraid that my all calendar thing won't work anymore because of that :'(.
Like you I like cardigans but this one especially ahaha, I basically wear it all the time ! Everybody seems to like these boots though they look so worn out, but I must admit that I do love 'em too.
Thank you so much for your comment !
Take care !
Shug
I will try and remember your tip on Italy whenever I get a chance to visit. ( In my mind, I wish I could Come to Bologna over the weekend... and really pester you to show me around since you seem to know so so much!) You comparing the proportions... and that passing through the little door to find so many more is so intriguing.
ReplyDeleteAgree with you on the fact that travel outfits are supposed to be comfortable. But somehow no matter what shoes I wear.. It aches in a while.
And as for as the procrastination, we all go through that phase. I am sure all of us readers understand. Here's wishing you a happy change in your life ( that you mentioned above)
Swati @ The Creative Bent
Hey Swati,
DeleteI believe my tip is not only valid in Italy but it also applies to every touristic countries. I am not setting apart less famous touristic countries but discussing with friends I found out that when people are visiting countries that are not Italy, UK, France or the most renowned touristic areas they tend to explore them more thoroughly.
About the proportions, my pictures are not a great expression of what I wanted to show because as I said I should have rented a plane to do so ;) ! There are things you can't explain with words and that should be seen by yourself and here it is the case. So hope you'll have the occasion to come to Bologna one day and that I'll be your guide !
The shoes are always an issue ! These one are comfy but when taking them off I always feel pain but I guess it can't be helped when you have walked all day long.
Thank you for being understanding about my procrastination :). About the change in my life we've already talked about it on FB, you're one of the few to know about it ;).
See you !
What a lovely place to visit! I haven't been to Europe in such a long time... maybe next year.
ReplyDeleteAaah so happy to read you find the place lovely, it means I am really conveying the feeling I wanted : giving you the desire to come here or simply travel.
DeleteThank you for your comment Alexandra !
Shug