La mia vita a Firenze: October 15, 2011

October 15, 2011

This morning, Franzi and I woke up around 6:15 and caught our train to Assisi at 8:00. It was about a two hour and forty-five minute train ride so I was glad to have my iPod and journal with me. We arrived in Assisi around 10:45. The train station is in the valley below Assisi (which is on a hill) and about three miles outside of it so you have to take a bus into town, but it doesn’t take long and only costs a Euro. When we first arrived, it was pretty chilly because the sun was under a cloud and there was a very brisk wind—fall is definitely here! In fact, almost everyone in Assisi had some type of winter jacket on. It makes me wonder what they’ll wear when it’s actually winter! I, on the other hand, had on a long sleeved, button up shirt. Granted I did wish I had a light jacket, but the winter coats seemed a bit excessive.

We got off the bus on the opposite side of town from the Cathedral of San Francesco so we could wander through the streets on our way there. It was so much fun because I recognized some many places from when I was there on choir tour! We looked in the churches, did some window-shopping, took lots of photos and even stopped in a theatre and could hear them rehearsing for some musical! We finally made it to the Cathedral of San Francesco (St. Francis of Assisi) and went inside. It was even more breathtaking than I remembered—the frescoes by Giotto are so beautiful and colorful. I have to say, though, nothing will ever compare to when our choir sang Ave Maria there. But it was still stunning :)

After seeing the cathedral, we ventured through the neighborhoods more off the main drag. We just wandered, getting some lunch, visiting another church and taking in the beautiful views. It was definitely just as beautiful and quaint as I remembered it. We had a wonderful day In Assisi! We caught the train home in the late afternoon and enjoyed the beautiful countryside out the window on the way home. When we got home, Andrea and Daniela were out for the evening so they had left us dinner. We ate dinner a little earlier than usual—7:30—and enjoyed some fantastic pasta. It was corkscrews with a tomato, basil sauce that had a maybe some peppers in it and a bit of a bite to it. For our main dish, we had cooked carrots, Brie cheese, pepperoni and rolls, which were all delicious as well. For dessert, we had pears and hazelnut chocolate bars that Daniela had left for us. It was a lovely dinner and very leisurely.

Now that our leisurely dinner is over, we are enjoying some tea because the house is very chilly and just kind of hanging out. I am pretty tired from the day and from getting up early so I’ll probably head to bed pretty early. Tomorrow I get to sleep in and then I’ll pack for London! I’ll do other things, as well, but that is my main task for tomorrow. Then we leave on Monday! I hope you are all staying a bit warmer than I am right now :)

All my love,

Kari

P.S. My internet was really cooperating this evening so you get plenty of photos!