Turin Tuesday

I am very near the main train station in Turin but the bus to the airport leaves from the other train station. This second one is in complete disarray because they are building a metro system. I thought I would catch a train there this morning to make sure I could get from the platform to where the bus goes from. The old above ground station is still there but the train now goes to an underground station. As far as I could gather not all the signs are in place and some point down when they mean right. I went up and down a few times more than I needed. It will be easier on Saturday, unless they change the signs in the meantime! After coffee and croissant in another brand new bar, I went to the Mole and Cinema Museum. In 1862 work started on a large domed building that was to be a synagogue but after 30 years and way too much money the Jewish community said ‘forget it’ and the government took it over. A huge spire was added. The full name of the building is Mole Antonelliana. This translates as Antonelli's ( the architect) heap. You can get a lift up to a lookout platform that is at the top of the dome , base of the spire. The views were great. It made it very obvious how close Turin is to the mountains.

Inside the dome is now a wonderful Cinema Museum. The first floor is all about light, how eyes work, how colour works, optical illusions etc. In the main part, there are several levels of all sorts of small exhibits around the edges of the dome and there are lay back seats that you can watch either of 2 shows on 2 big screens. It wasn’t just Italian films. There were star wars creatures, a room set up like a wild west saloon with an appropriate movie playing, a small room with a big round red bed you could lie on and watch a film ( age restriction?) horror movie sets, all about editing, designing, costumes. I spent ages there.

I looked at my book to see if there were recommended places nearby for lunch. There were several but 1 wasnot open, 1 the person completely ignored me ,and it was too noisy ( busy road nearby) and the other was also near the busy road. So I thought I would go into the first 1 down a little side street that I came to whatever it was, fancy restaurant or sandwich joint. I got lucky. The first one was delightful. Modern, helpful lady who talked slowly to me so I could understand, excellent food , different, modern Italian. I had some aguglia. I gathered from her a type of swordfish or marlin chopped up in a pasta dish with herbs. I also had some of the local white – arneis which was good. Ah - and an apple tart and coffee. The bread also came in a paper bag. Must be the latest fashion. No one took theirs.

My plan was to go next on a boat ride down the Po. I had a bit of a language issue. I thought the boat went further but when I was getting my ticket I found it only goes about 2 km. The guy kept telling me it stops at a castle and I get out and look for an hour and catch the next boat back. I kept saying, but I donot want to look at the castle , can I stay on the boat? He said, No, get off. I gave up. In the end it was vaguely interesting. A medieval village, Borgo Medievale, was created in Turin in the 1880’s to replicate those that lined the Valle d’Aosta. There were shops, a church and a castle. The castle was furnished and decorated as it would have been. The boat ride was nice – peaceful and slow. Took about 25 minutes. Lots of rowers on the river.

Foccacia for dinner bought from a bread shop after a nice small glass of barbera d’Asti for a local bar. Mind you I went round the block a few times in increasing circles till I came to one that was respectable enough i.e. did not have groups of men loitering in the doorway. – they were sitting at tables – and there was a single female inside.

I have seen quite a few young men wearing nice suits and brightly coloured shoes that look only 1 or 2 steps up from sneakers. I have seen some beautiful material shops. All the material is in neat bolts all stacked in beautiful colour combinations. Someone serves you the whole time. There are probably shops like that in Sydney and Melbourne.