Here are some of my pictures for those of you that aren't on facebook...
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Beautiful Assisi
Ciao! I've never really been into this whole blogging craze, but I decided this just might be the best way to communicate with everyone back at home. So here I go...
I arrived in Rome early Wednesday morning exhausted after a long uncomfortable flight. Directly from the Fiumicino airport, all 46 girls and 1 guy, loaded onto a bus headed for Assisi. Assisi is a quiet hilltop town tucked away in the countryside of Umbria 3 hours from Rome most remembered for its famous former citizens Saint Francis and Saint Claire of Assisi. We were warned in advance of the steep hills and encouraged to pack light and wear comfortable shoes; however, little did we anticipate the mountain we were forced to climb. The vertical terrain and tiny alleys forced our wide load bus to stop short of the the city walls. Left standing at the bottom of the hill with all our luggage, we timidly advanced towards the sharp incline of the cobble-stone street. Honestly, I have never regretted more my lack of exercise over the summer than while bent over panting on the side of the road with my giant backpack, over sized purse and suitcase praying to God that I not throw up. Needless to say it was probably one of the worst experiences of my life.
In Assisi we are staying at la Cittadella Casa Franchi, an Italian retreat center. Considering I came here knowing very few people, it was nice that we were assigned a roommate for our stay here. I was paired with Ann Marie, a junior at Notre Dame from California. She is really nice and rooming with her has worked out really well. As for the rooming situation once in Rome, I was asked by two girls to room with them in a triple. Kelly is from Chicago and is great with a outgoing personality and my other roomie, Jessica from Atlanta, I actually haven't met yet because she is in her cousins wedding this weekend in New York, but I'm sure we'll get along just fine.
Life here in Assisi has been wonderful. Right now we are doing the whole tourist thing. So far we have been to the hilltop fortress La Rocca Manggore, La Basilica di San Chiara, San Domiano, and La Basilica di San Francisco. One thing I've noticed about Italy is church's are to Italy as Starbucks are to the United States, there is one on every other street corner. Its interesting though, each has something special about them and they are all absolutely beautiful. My favorite so far has been the first church built for St. Francis which is located underneath his enormous world famous Basillica. I don't know why I preferred this one over the Giotto's fresco's in the Basilica, but all I know is that it was the most colorful place I have ever been. The Roman arched ceilings seemed just as bright turquoise as they were the day they were painted over 800 years ago. The same is true in Italy about churches as with Gelatorias too, except its more like every other shoppe. And I'm not complaining...I'm pretty sure a majority of all my money is going to fund my new found addiction. The food here too has yet to disappoint. We are fed every meal by the lovely people working at our retreat center. We are served 5 courses for every lunch and dinner which include pasta, risotto, meat, salad, cooked veggies, fruit, and my personal favorite...gelato! Its tough to pick a favorite, but I might have to go with the mushroom lasagna we had on our first night here. Fabuuulous!
The nightlife here isn't so rockin' but I am positive it will pick up once we get to Rome. I don't mind though, its kinda nice to be broken into Italy with small local bars where you can relax with a glass of cheap house wine, Dean Martin playing softly in the background and where you and the bartender are on first name basis after only 20 mins. Its so much different than a night out in the States.
We leave here tomorrow for Rome and I can't wait to get into a routine and start classes and everything. Assisi has been nice icebreaker into my new life over here across the ocean, but I'm totally ready for life in the big city. Stay tuned...
I arrived in Rome early Wednesday morning exhausted after a long uncomfortable flight. Directly from the Fiumicino airport, all 46 girls and 1 guy, loaded onto a bus headed for Assisi. Assisi is a quiet hilltop town tucked away in the countryside of Umbria 3 hours from Rome most remembered for its famous former citizens Saint Francis and Saint Claire of Assisi. We were warned in advance of the steep hills and encouraged to pack light and wear comfortable shoes; however, little did we anticipate the mountain we were forced to climb. The vertical terrain and tiny alleys forced our wide load bus to stop short of the the city walls. Left standing at the bottom of the hill with all our luggage, we timidly advanced towards the sharp incline of the cobble-stone street. Honestly, I have never regretted more my lack of exercise over the summer than while bent over panting on the side of the road with my giant backpack, over sized purse and suitcase praying to God that I not throw up. Needless to say it was probably one of the worst experiences of my life.
In Assisi we are staying at la Cittadella Casa Franchi, an Italian retreat center. Considering I came here knowing very few people, it was nice that we were assigned a roommate for our stay here. I was paired with Ann Marie, a junior at Notre Dame from California. She is really nice and rooming with her has worked out really well. As for the rooming situation once in Rome, I was asked by two girls to room with them in a triple. Kelly is from Chicago and is great with a outgoing personality and my other roomie, Jessica from Atlanta, I actually haven't met yet because she is in her cousins wedding this weekend in New York, but I'm sure we'll get along just fine.
Life here in Assisi has been wonderful. Right now we are doing the whole tourist thing. So far we have been to the hilltop fortress La Rocca Manggore, La Basilica di San Chiara, San Domiano, and La Basilica di San Francisco. One thing I've noticed about Italy is church's are to Italy as Starbucks are to the United States, there is one on every other street corner. Its interesting though, each has something special about them and they are all absolutely beautiful. My favorite so far has been the first church built for St. Francis which is located underneath his enormous world famous Basillica. I don't know why I preferred this one over the Giotto's fresco's in the Basilica, but all I know is that it was the most colorful place I have ever been. The Roman arched ceilings seemed just as bright turquoise as they were the day they were painted over 800 years ago. The same is true in Italy about churches as with Gelatorias too, except its more like every other shoppe. And I'm not complaining...I'm pretty sure a majority of all my money is going to fund my new found addiction. The food here too has yet to disappoint. We are fed every meal by the lovely people working at our retreat center. We are served 5 courses for every lunch and dinner which include pasta, risotto, meat, salad, cooked veggies, fruit, and my personal favorite...gelato! Its tough to pick a favorite, but I might have to go with the mushroom lasagna we had on our first night here. Fabuuulous!
The nightlife here isn't so rockin' but I am positive it will pick up once we get to Rome. I don't mind though, its kinda nice to be broken into Italy with small local bars where you can relax with a glass of cheap house wine, Dean Martin playing softly in the background and where you and the bartender are on first name basis after only 20 mins. Its so much different than a night out in the States.
We leave here tomorrow for Rome and I can't wait to get into a routine and start classes and everything. Assisi has been nice icebreaker into my new life over here across the ocean, but I'm totally ready for life in the big city. Stay tuned...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
