Trip Update #11 - Assisi and Florence

[Josh Seamon]

Hello everyone,

Here's what we were up to for two of the last 6 days of the trip.

3/4/07: We woke up early and had one more breakfast in the former convent. We then headed north out of the city towards Assisi, a 3 hour drive. Along the way we watched Gladiator and admired the scenery of northern Italy in bright sun-shiny weather! We had one brief rest stop along the way which was highlighted by being outside in perfect weather and throwing discs around! We even got our driver, Rocco, involved in the action. On our way into Assisi we stopped at a large ceramic factory which gave us a demo of how they make their products. We then proceeded up the hill into the city. As we climbed the hill in what continued to be perfect weather, Matt Bruckner read one of St. Francis' prayers that Flo had brought along. We then parked the bus and walked a little ways up into the city for 1.5 hours of free time. In that time we had lunch at a very yummy buffet (I remember great veggies) and we all scattered around the glowing pink city. In my free time I hiked up to the top of the city to scope out the castle and see the view. Wow! (I'll have lots of video of the view up soon.) After the free time we met up with out guide who took us into St. Claire's where we got to go down into the Crypt and see St. Claire. What a place! The chapel itself is elegantly simple, and the crypt is very stylish and has a wonderful presence. We then headed around the city to see various churches, including a very old Roman one and St. Francis'. We then had two more hours of free time and I decided to make my way back up to the castle and go into it this time. After battle my way up the hill the hard way, with two student sin tow, we went up into the castle and up onto the two high turrets. WHAT A VIEW! Wow. The octagonal turret was notable not only for the view, but because to get to it you had to go through a 100 yard stone passageway that runs laterally through a HUGE stone wall. We then climbed back down the hill, met back up with Flo and headed out towards Florence. Along the way we saw a stunning sunset. We arrived at the very fancy Florence hotel well past dark and had a great meal of pesto pasta and chicken. We all fell asleep quite easily that night.

3/5/07: After another solid breakfast we all took off with Flo who led us to the center of the city. Even though it was Monday and all of the museums were closed in the city, there was still a lot to see. We met up with our tour guide and started at the large Medici palace and saw the unreal display of sculptures under a nearby overhang. This is where we could see the fake David, the one that replaced the original in 1893 (?) when it was moved inside. We also saw a LARGE catholic church with a huge, blue, star of David in it's apex. Apparently the architect of church was Jewish and no one really cared that he put a huge star of David in the church. Pretty neat. In front of the church was a huge square in which we learned that every year up until 2006 a large, no rules soccer game had been held for a long time. Apparently the games had gotten too rough. (Side note: While we were in Italy I learned that all soccer games had been closed to the public due to rioting -- And we thought Yanks/Sox fans could get into it!) In the square we also saw water lines from the flood of 1966 which essentially wiped out the city. We then walked around the corner... and the Duomo came into view. Wow! Inside we saw the painted dome and a 24 hour clock. Next we went to Dante's house and saw his face carved into the stone street outside. Then we met back up with Flo who took us to an open air market where we all patted the snout of a bronze pig for good luck -- The real puking pig apparently. After the pig we headed over to an authentic leather shop where we all drooled over the righteously expensive jackets. After the factory we had 4 hours of free time. I ventured into the church with the star of David and saw some next Crypts carved into the floor, as well as Galileo's tomb... and one other really famous person who I can't remember at the moment. Dounia and I then went up to the HUGE market where I searched for a winter coat to replace the one I had left in Athens (It was warm so I never wore it!... and promptly forgot it in the hotel closet.) We then went over to another church by the train station and saw a very large Byzantine cross. We then met back up with the entire group for Gelato. Gooooood stuff. Flo then took most of the kids to the Petite Palace and I took some back to the church Dounia and I had just been at. After the church I climbed the Duomo steps and spent over an hour at the top waiting for the sun to go down. What a view. We all then met back up at the hotel for check in. After a half hour of taking night pictures I crashed for the night.

Next up.... skiing on clouds.


- Josh