Week one and done!

Well my first week in Italy is already over! Some parts of the week flew by while others seemed much longer. I think it will still be a while before I feel completely comfortable here, its hard not to miss everyone back home and wonder what else is going on in the world from which you are currently removed. But on that note I would like to say this week has been pretty awesome! Intensive Italian has been just that INTENSE, and I still have two days left before our regular classes start. I don’t think I have ever been so excited for the start of classes before, but I really am looking forward to all of mine. On the upside I think I am at least starting to pick up on the language. At least now I can order gelato, ask to buy a train ticket, and how much things cost. Understanding what they say back is still a work in progress.

This week I did however; manage to successfully complete my first venture out of Perugia. We got out of class early on Friday so myself and a few of my friends headed to Assisi, which is right across the valley from Perugia. Both towns are built into and up opposing sides of hills and back in the middle ages Perugia and Assisi were constantly at war with one another. (Im not sure why though—my Italian isn’t good enough for me to understand everything there is to read) Anyways it was a great first trip. We made it there and back without any major catastrophes. Although we did almost get on the wrong train and lost a girl to illness and got lost. Don’t worry she is better now! To get to Assisi you take a 30 min train ride to the bottom of Assisi, then you have to take a bus up the hill, or if you’r crazy enough you could walk. We took the buss most of the way up but got off at the Basilica of San Francis. For those of you who don’t know St. Francis is the founding father of a Catholic order called the Franciscans. St. Francis himself was the son of a wealthy textile merchant who gave away all his possessions and to follow his calling. He is one of the most important and well known saints in the Catholic Church and the basilica commemorates a lot of his work. The inside is absolutely beautiful but you can’t take pictures inside but I did take a few good ones outside.

After our stop at the basilica we headed up to the tip top of Assisi where there is the old castle. I do have to admit that we got somewhat lost before finding our way up but the views at the top were defiantly worth it. We spent the rest of the day making our way down toward the buss stop and poking in and out of some of all the other churches.

The castle we hiked all the way up to!

A small chaple off the main piazza

Views from the top of the castle

On the way back down

Although we were exhausted from hiking in Assisi we got up bright and early to head out and explore Perugia. Even though I have already been here a week I felt like there was a lot of the city I hadn’t seen and I was right! Perugia has a mini metro (outdoor elevator on a track is the best way to describe it) that takes you up and down the hills of Perugia. Every Saturday there is a BIG market at the very bottom of Perugia so we checked it out. You can find almost anything you are looking for at the market for a pretty good price. I brought home some great looking vegetables and dried fruit. Once we dropped off our purchases we walked all over the city taking pictures, checking out the shops, little grocery stores and stuff like that. It was a lot of fun and I got a lot of great pictures! We spent the night in true Italian style sitting on the stairs of the main Piazza and people watching. It was a lot of fun and a great way to end our day.

The foutain in the piazza de novembre

View of the Perugia country side

More views

Out by the market

Views off the far wall

Sunday wrapped up the last part of our orientation here in Italy for the semester. We headed out into the countryside to learn more about the people and culture. We got lessons on local Italian agriculure, past making, our program and delicious breakfast and lunch. It has been a busy week but I'm already looking foward to the next...wait till you find out where I'm headed!