11. Ravenna – Jan 19

It is brutally cold today as I walk to the train,

I am taking an hour ride to Ravenna.

The train stops at every little village along the way,

And we pass multiple vineyards that are frozen today.

Walking the streets, I am so frozen and lost,

But I am determined to enjoy it all, whatever the cost.

I find the churches with ancient mosaics from the Byzantine years,

And the TOMA museum, but the door says chuiso, and I shed a tear.

I walk the streets in vain and doom,

Trying to find Dante’s tomb.

I enter a market to regroup and warm up,

And, thaw my hands with coffee in a cup.

A lady makes a fuss and holds up the line,

Just like in the US, to me it happens all the time.

I look up and there is Dante Via,

Glance down the alley and there I see it.

I must have past by it on the way to the ruins,

Well there it is – Dante’s Tomb!

Back to the station, I am ready to go,

Get on the train before it snows.

High school children aboard the train,

With bags of McDonalds soaked from the rain.

I guess they commute to go to school,

They are typical teens being so cool.

Went to the money exchange to get a good rate,

From $1.38 two weeks ago to $1.48.

O mio dio, what a fright!

Guess who’s staying in tonight!