Adventures in Umbria

Although orientation was a week ago already, I'd like to retrospectively write an entry about it. After my first night in Italy, I woke up Saturday for a series of paperwork sessions and floor meetings and whatnot. That night, a huge group of students went downtown (at last!) and had one mission: see some sights, buy some gelato. I had to ask for directions a few times because we weren't sure where we were, but thanks to the friendly locals we were fortunate enough to see the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps! Also, the gelato we got near the Trevi was delicious, as I knew it would be. Both were definitely experiences. Another experience was figuring out our way back to Balduina on Monte Mario.. I started to ask a wonderful young man where we could buy bus cards, but he interrupted me about two words in with "In English, if you want." I was startled and we laughed and he said "I don't speak it like you do, but.." and he told us where to go. A bus ride later and we were back here at the JFRC.

Sunday morning started off our orientation with a 3-hour bus ride to Assisi in the region of Umbria, the heart of Italy. We stopped off for lunch at Santa Maria degli Angeli, a small village at the foot of the hill that Assisi is built on.
So, Assisi. The patron saint is San Francesco, or St. Francis. Thanks to my trip, I now know how hilly San Francisco, CA, got its name. The buses took us as far as they could into the city, and then we had a 10-minute uphill walk to get to the inside of the town. This was just the start of a 3-day experience of slopes and steps. Within an hour or two, we split into two groups, one going on a walking tour of Assisi and one staying inside for "cultural" activities. I went on a tour that day. It was incredibly foggy! However, I saw some amazing things and went to the tombs of St. Francis and St. Claire (Santa Chiara). After dinner at the hotel (and some resting our feet), most of us went out. On a Sunday night. In a semi-holy town full of monks, brothers, and cloistered nuns. Yet, we found a wine bar (aptly named "Wine Bar") and had a great time. We Americans were certainly loud but the bar made plenty of money. I know this because they ran out of red wine the first night. In any case, I loved it so much I went back the next night.

Monday morning consisted mainly of the inside activities and some strolling around.
That afternoon, we had a day trip to Gubbio, a Medieval town about an hour further north within Perugia, one of the two provinces of Umbria. Gubbio looks a bit old once you ascend into it away from the parking lots and buses, but overall it felt more modern than Assisi. We had no scheduled plans here, simply being dropped off and encouraged to frolic for a few hours. I enjoyed the freedom and took lots of pictures before we headed back to Assisi for another night at the wine bar and a few hours of sleep.
Tuesday we woke up in time for breakfast, and then three of us decided to make the trek up to la Rocca Maggiore, a castle of sorts that is quite the walk uphill, but worth the views. I took even more pictures, including through the holes we assumed were made for archers to attack the, er, attackers. I also made another Italian friend, a cat that I haven't named yet. I wish I could've brought her/him back here with me. Anyways, after that we got back on the buses, and three hours later we were back in Roma at the good old JFRC.

I miss Assisi already. I miss the cute antique feel of the city, hanging out at the wine bar with the other students, and even making an Italian friend or two. That said, I know I will miss here even more once I leave because it will be quite a while before I am back. That said, I've only been here 10 days! More to come very soon, for I've had plenty more experiences this week that fall under new topics.