For as long as I can remember my dad has been obsessed with all things St. Francis de Assisi. As you might imagine, going to Assisi today was kind of a big deal. We left for Assisi from Valle Nuova with the threat of rain, umbrellas in hand. We drove over the river and through the woods and through some incredible Apennines canyons to arrive at the magical city just 90 minutes away.
We went first to Roca Maggiore, unloaded right next to the giant fort, overrun 9 times, and walked around the top of the Assisi world for several minutes before the local carabinieri ticketed our car for parking in a very illegal place way too close to this world shrine. Oh well!
The good news was that this allowed us to get a private guided drive to the most expensive central car park in Assisi. All that for a $28 parking ticket paid on the spot. A short walk away led us to the Piazza Commune di Assisi where we shopped, walked, and shopped, and ate lunch in a hotel trattoria under an arch roman style. Have I told you that there's no bad food anywhere in Italy at any price!
The rains came; they stopped; they came back. Further walking down incredible cobblestoned walkways led us to La Chiesa di San Francesco. Wow! Franciscan Friar Frank from Germany led us on a guided tour of all floors and rooms of this incredible church with incredible commentary about finding ways to bring St. Francis's spirit into our lives. We reflected at his crypt; we saw frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue; we witnessed the piazza where the 13th through 15th century popes would stay when visiting Assisi with their entourages. Our tour ended in the rain. We were very satisfied and found a taxi to return us to the car park.
A less adventurous ride home through Perugia ended up with us shopping for provisions at la familia and eating a pizza dinner at Shine pizzeria in Acqualanga. At last home, to sleep, to dream, perchance to greet the morrow with another fulsome heart.
**** In case any of you were wondering, Ley wrote most of today's blog post. He has a flair for the dramatic.
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