Assisi

So, as I mentioned before, the trip to Assisi was wonderful. Liz, Krista, Chris, and I left in the morning and arrived in Assisi by first taking the MiniMetro to the train station, then the train, and then a bus up the mountain, before walking to St. Francis's Basilica. The frescoes in there are just so beautiful and the views of the countryside below are really charming. I took a few pictures in the upper basilica even though you're not supposed to (I know, I know, I really should start listening) so they're blurry but it shows everything well enough.















When we exited we took pictures for a bit and then sat on one of the sun-warmed walls to relax for a bit. Chris and I began to eat apples we had brought when a nun walking up the street saw us and came over and asked if we spoke Italian. We told her we knew a little and so she asked us if she could take our picture and teased us about the apples. She took a photo and then insisted on also taking one with the basilica in the back, all the while jabbering away in Italian. She was very sweet.







After this we walked around a bit, found swings and a beautiful overlook, and walked around some more. I love all of the fading frescoes on random buildings, the beautiful views of the countryside, the monks and nuns walking around, and the medieval walls and arches that constantly remind you that you are inside an ancient fortress. We explored for a while before heading back to the store at St. Francis's Basilica to get a rosary and cross for mom and a "T" keychain for dad and then to another store to get the now infamous monk mugs. After that we climbed a gigantic hill in order to reach the Saint Claire Basilica. It was closed though, due to la pausa (for three hours everything is closed here), so we went to get food. Every place we passed that proclaimed itself as a gelateria did not, in fact, have gelato, which was very disappointing. Instead, we found a restaurant that promised pizza, as well as other food. The restaurant itself was very pretty with stone walls and elegant table settings but, sadly, the food was not so fantastic. Ah well. After we ate we returned to St. Claire's Basilica and saw her tomb as well as St. Francis's cross. It was really moving to see his cross, it's so beautifully done. I took two pictures that are, once again, blurry because, well, once again, I didn't quite follow the rules. But mom I know how much you love that cross so I really wanted to get a picture for you. Does that make it a bit better?














We returned home and then the rest of the weekend was as I described earlier. School work has been going really well, although I suppose I only know grades for Italian and Photography, since my other two classes don't have any until the midterms. Today I stopped at the ceramic stands that are set up every Tuesday near the town center. The ceramics are handmade and painted in Deruta, a town that is really famous for their ceramics, and they're really beautiful. Mom, I got you a dish that is blue and white with a bluebird on it (I figured Dad would like that) and I got myself one with sunflowers (my favorites) on it. Sorry to ruin the surprise but I thought you might like to see a picture of it. If anyone would like any ceramics please let me know since they come every week! Hmm, I think that's all the updates I can think of for now.