This Is Where St. Francis Had His First Big Mac

So today I woke up at 7:30 and rushed over to the piazza by our house to hop on the bus headed to Assisi (pronounced Ah-sieze-ee so I learned, not A-sissy). I slept most of the way, a 2 1/2 hour drive and when we got there, a lady announced over the bus speaker that we shouldn't get too excited about the McDonalds, and I responded more loudly than I intended "Why?!" I got laughed at... in a good way I hope. Haha. She followed with "...because Assisi just allowed it after a long petition against it. Unless its been here since St. Francis' time, they don't want establishments like McDonalds"

When we got off the bus we had a boring lecture of the frescoes in the church we visited. It was so cold because of all the marble it was like standing on an icerink. The most fantastic part, however, was seeing St. Francis' crypt in the basement. I made an offering to the church and put a candle in the basket devoted to him. You don't light them...you just stack them there...which I don't understand, but still! I said a prayer for Felicia Kaplan (I think that's how you spell her name?) and again for all of you. This truly is turning out to be a pilgrimmage for me. Very exciting.

After the lectures, some friends and I got lost walking around town. It was absolutely beautiful. The air is clear and light at the higher altitude and the scenery is just a great expanse of medieval buildings and lanes backed by mountains. It was a lovely day which helped too. The breeze was so cool and refreshing. I really don't think I can describe Assisi so you'll have to wait for the photos! I'll upload them this coming week when I have access to the photo lab. Anyway, we found a restaurant for lunch where we had a delicious meal of ravioli and cannoli and I had a glass of local wine which was so yum but SO STRONG! I was definitely tipsy and bouncing up the hills taking photos and laughing at stupid things like a long set of stairs-which we climbed to the top of the hill and found the fort Rocca Magiore. BEAUTIFUL! STUNNING VIEW! I felt like I was in the Sound of Music or something.

Reflecting on this trip, this was the first time I truly felt present in Italy. Assisi is in Umbria, and on the way there, the countryside blew me away. So green and hilly with groves and orchards and sheep and horses and creeks and mountains... Having my first glass of wine with my meal helped also. "Umbria" I kept thinking... "Yep. I'm really in Italy now"