Bologna – let life suprise you
My first flight was a short turnaround to India, Hyderabad on B777-300. Turnaround – as the word implies, it means turning back. Flight from Dubai to Hyderabad and back on the same day. Although I was in the role of supi/observer on the plane (I worked as well), I admit that after the first flight I was tired.
I was looking forward to my second flight, because final destination was in Frankfurt. It was still amazing supi flight on the A380, where you primarily learn from rest of the crew. In fact, you have no “major” responsibilities, such as airplane door liability. Frankfurt – 24 hours long layover, 24 hours of exploring the new city. Morning flight, so I woke up around five. Like every morning (this one was the first one), I ate breakfast, I dressed myself, I locked the apartment with a smile on my mouth and waited for the bus in front of our block. The bus takes us many times every day to the main building of the Emirates (HQ), where your working hours begin. More about my pre-flight routine in the next article.
I arrived at HQ around six in the morning. Fortunately, we had a flight together with Kika, a girl from my joining date. I was impressed by the idea of exploring the city together and having fun in the first place. We met before the E-gate (special immigration and security check for cabin crew only) and waited for half past six so we could go through. But lo and behold, surprise. Ten minutes before our E-gate, they changed our flight. Where? To Bologna, a town three and a half hours drive away from my home. And another surprise. The flight was no longer on the Airbus, but on the Boeing. And it became our first operational flight and no longer a supi flight. So, we got all the responsibilities on the plane and “that game” finally started. Before crossing E-gate, I sent a message to my parents informing them about changes of my flight. They didn’t write me back, because it was around four in the morning in Slovenia.
We crossed the E-gate and made our way into the briefing room. Purser (chief of all cabin crew on this flight) and Cabin Supervisor – CSV (economy crew chief) were already waiting for us in the room. CSV reviewed all the documents we needed and asked us a question from SafeTalk (security, medical or Boeing question). If you don’t know the answer to the question, it may ask you a new question, but the third question must answer the rule. In fact, we all answer correctly most of the times. This is followed by a briefing of CSV, Purser and finally Flight Deck with flight information. And then… hop on the bus from HQ to our plane. When we reach plane we do security search, we board passengers, we deliver menus and toys for children, we take pictures with a Polaroid camera, etc. There is so much things to do that I could write a new article about the procedures in the Emirates. Maybe I’ll write it once.
And then take off. The flight to Bologna took about six hours. Quiet flight with mostly Italian passengers who are considered as undemanding customers. The crew on the plane was also super friendly and helped us a lot when we didn’t know anything. The flight passed quick and we landed at the Aeroporto G. Marconi Bologna BLQ. After disembarking the passengers, we collected blankets and headphones, we packed up our things and we got off the plane. I was looking forward to a 24 hours long layover in Bologna, a city known for “toretllini and brodo” and “tagliatelle al ragu”. At least I’ll eat well, I thought. The 16 crew members made our way past the immigration window, to the baggage claim, where we picked up our suitcases and through the sliding door of the airport. And there, SHOCK. When I passed through the door I first saw my sister Nastasija holding a poster with my name Mojca Žilavec, my mother with tears in her eyes and my father who was filming the whole event. I was so shocked that I just briefly hugged my sister and stepped back into the group of our crew. All I heard was, “Call us when you get to the hotel.”
When CSV saw the hole situation, he suggested me to ask a Purser for permission to drive to the hotel with my family. And it happened. Together with my parents and my sister, we drove to the Aemilia Bologna Hotel, where they agreed to stay with me. So Nastasija slept in my hotel room and our parents in theirs. At that moment I thought, “I wouldn’t allow for myself to dream about my journey with Emirates in such a good way.”
That afternoon, we (also Kika) walked around downtown of Bologna. As it was one of winter days, January 5, Bologna was still adorned with New Year’s lights, Christmas tree and Christmas stands. We walked up to two towers (due torri), which is a kind of entrance to the old part of Bologna. They are traditional symbols of Bologna and they stand in the middle of Port Ravegana Square (the old entrance to the city). Although I really wanted to go on the top of them, all the dates were busy that Saturday. So there was nothing to do.
After Via Rizzoli, which is a small shopping street, we came to Piazza Maggiore. The most famous building on this square is certainly Basilica di San Petronio, which is the 6th largest church in Europe. On this square we can also find Palazzo Comunale or town hall, Palazzo dei Notai or the old headquarters of the notary association and the Palazzo del Podesta or the seat of city government. Purpose of Palazzo dei Banchi is decorative only. Also noteworthy is famous Fontana del Nettuno, which is made primarily of bronze. It represents the power of the pope ruling the world, as Neptune once ruled the sea. That is why the Palazzo Re Enzo stands near the fountain. After exploring the city, we became quite hungry. We went on the Via dell’Indipendeza, and along the way we inserted ourselves into the Impero Café, which is always full. This café is worth the sin, if you want good coffee and sweets. You can get cakes, brioche (croissants) and even morning breakfasts.
We didn’t manage to try anything as we rushed to the restaurant for dinner. We chose it as we walked down Via de’Falegnami. Name of the restaurant: Il Moro. Pleasant environment and typical Italian plates. But do not expect cuisine at a prestigious level. Mom, Nastasija and I got our tris on a plate; tagliatelle al ragu, tortellini con quattro formaggi and lasagna. It was a true Italian tris. Ata and Kika enjoyed italian pasta in different sauces. A delicious dinner in beautiful Bologna with the best company you can wish. With full stomachs and smiling faces, we did another lap around cold Bologna and returned to the hotel late at that night. At that hotel café I drank tea with my mother, dad and Nastasija and we spent a wonderful family evening together. I am blessed to have a family that supports me and they appreciate every moment together. After a great conversation, we headed to our rooms and sank full of emotion into sleep.
Before my departure to Dubai the next day, we had four hours more to spend together. We had a real Italian breakfast at the Aemilia Hotel. What does that mean? Coffee (il caffe) and sweet pastry (i dolcetti). Of course, they also had bread, cheese, salami and savory things, but most Italians do not dare to eat high-calorie savory meals (sausages, eggs, bacon) in the morning. Most Italians make breakfast on the way to work and do not have breakfast at home. After a sweet breakfast, Nastasija and I quickly decided to climb one of the towers, Asinelli. We bought tickets online (5 euros per person) for this 97.2m high tower. The summit leads to 498 narrow stairs that extend from wall to wall of the tower. By approx. 15 minute walk, Nastasija and I reached the top of the tower and it was more than worth the effort. Of course, as true tourists, we made a lot of pictures and selfies, and after 20 minutes of taking pictures, we headed back into the deep. We still had an hour to spend together before returning to the hotel. So we took a little stroll around Bologna and every now and then also wrapped up in some clothing store. Typical females.
Upon arriving back to the hotel, I still had an hour before departure. My parents and sister waited in my room and spent the last minutes with me. With tears in my eyes, I said goodbye to them and told them how much I appreciated that they had made it to Bologna. Last time we looked at each other and waved goodbye to… February with Nastasija and April with our parents.
