At last, I'm in Assisi, and it's pouring rain! But so what -- it's Italy!!!!
My flight to get here was a bit of a grind--Montreal to Zurich, Zurich to Florence. I landed in Florence about 9 a.m. on Sunday and had 3 hours to wait until the next train to Assisi. (Sunday schedules!) So I left my ample luggage with the train station's baggage claim area and spent a couple of hours drinking coffee and prowling central Florence.
I most wanted to see Santa Maria Novella in Florence, but of course, the church was closed to visitors for Sunday morning Mass. Ah well, the sun was shining and outdoors, I was getting lots of sun right after landing which was great for fighting off jet-lag and resetting my body to Italian time. (My heart, of course, constantly beats on Italian time.)
The train left on time, and ruthless train conductors frequently swept my first-class car for second-class-ticket-carrying interlopers, so I had a very quiet, dull ride. (TrenItalia staff seem quite ruthless about ferreting out people who stumble into the wrong car. This is a sensitive point for me, because I was caught in such a sweep last year, innocently seeking an air-conditioned car, but with only a second-class ticket. This year, I paid the couple of extra euro for the upgrade!)
Once in Assisi, after changing hotel rooms a couple of times to find one I liked, I quickly stowed my things and headed out for a much-needed gelato. Chocolate, inexpensive and taken strictly for medicinal purposes, again to get my body on Italian time. Sunshine also helped, although threatening clouds were building in the north.
I walked up to the Duomo, which I missed last year due to the Pope's interference (an old story) but I was once again blocked from entry. This time, a mournful process of about 100 priests, nuns and other faithful solemnly marched in just as I was taking photos of the Duomo's grand entryway. I trailed in after them, but then decided that if I was going to attend Sunday Mass, I would do it in style.
So, I scooted down to San Francesco and caught the 5 p.m. mass in the beautiful lower church of the Basilica. As I left, the heavens opened up (was I supposed to stay? should I never have left the Duomo? Whatever the message, I didn't get it.)
However, I had gotten pretty hungry by this point. I changed into dry things, cooled my heels until 7;30 and had a fabulous meal at the Piazzette delle Erbe, a Slow Food restaurant in Assisi. My main course was described as pecorino and pear stuffed past which was then caramelized. It was so delicious, but I puzzled for a time over why it was described as caramelized when it was very simply presented, drizzled with olive oil and balsamic. But not caramelized. Later, I realized that described its shape -- like a beautifully wrapped candy! Less like a North America caramel, perhaps, and more like a Halloween toffee. But I got the point.
An early night, and I was up at a decent time for a fantastic Monday at Letizia's cooking class! And that deserves a blog post of its own.
Comments (14)
Yay! I'm so glad you're there and are blogging! Keep taking your "medicine" at least once a day, if not more. Have fun!
Posted by Annie | September 15, 2008 3:47 PM
Posted on September 15, 2008 15:47
Yeah, I've been waiting for you to post! That first shot, with the clouds, is amazing!!
Posted by Kim | September 15, 2008 4:52 PM
Posted on September 15, 2008 16:52
Oh, I so enjoyed reading this post this morning! I'm looking forward to following your trip. :)
Posted by Leslie | September 15, 2008 5:08 PM
Posted on September 15, 2008 17:08
It is so exciting reading about your first day in Italy! You have waited so long to finally arrive. It sounds like you are settling right in. Gelato...yum! I am jealous! Looking forward to hearing more! :)
Posted by girasoli | September 15, 2008 5:40 PM
Posted on September 15, 2008 17:40
I'm happy that you arrived! Take lots of that medicine for me. :-)
Posted by Jerry | September 15, 2008 5:42 PM
Posted on September 15, 2008 17:42
Ciao sandrac,
So glad you made it safely to Italy!
Enjoy every moment while you are there.
We leave in less than 2 days for Rome.
Can't wait!
ciao,
chiaro
Posted by chiaro | September 15, 2008 7:14 PM
Posted on September 15, 2008 19:14
Sandra, I loved the changing rooms until finding one you liked as I drive Ken crazy doing that. But I hate not liking a room. Also, that dinner sounded wonderful--of course, Italian food in Italy always does.
Posted by Jane | September 15, 2008 8:17 PM
Posted on September 15, 2008 20:17
Hi Sandra, glad you arrived safe and sound. Gelato for medicinal purposes, I love that! Enjoy your time in Assisi and I look forward to reading more about your great and always interesting experiences.
Thanks so much for this wonderful, fun read.
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | September 15, 2008 9:59 PM
Posted on September 15, 2008 21:59
Glad to hear you have arrived safely and are already into the swing of Italian life.
Posted by Marta | September 15, 2008 10:39 PM
Posted on September 15, 2008 22:39
OMG...give me that pear!
Posted by Jennifer | September 15, 2008 11:18 PM
Posted on September 15, 2008 23:18
Sandra,
So happy to read that you are finally in beloved Italy. Too bad for the rain, but as you say it IS Italy!!! Hoping you continue to have a grand time, and anxiously awaiting each and every blog entry.
Ciao ciao!!
Posted by Dorit | September 16, 2008 2:18 AM
Posted on September 16, 2008 02:18
Thanks everyone! It's good to be here although the Internet access the hotel in Assisi isn't so good....but I'm going to try to do another quick post!
Chiaro, I hope you also have a great trip!
Posted by sandrac | September 16, 2008 12:40 PM
Posted on September 16, 2008 12:40
I’m so happy to see you blogging! Soon I’ll be taking the same medication, lots of it!
Posted by María I. | September 16, 2008 8:57 PM
Posted on September 16, 2008 20:57
Yay hooray you are there! I am excited to hear that. And you write wonderfully, as always.
Posted by Chiocciola | September 18, 2008 8:20 PM
Posted on September 18, 2008 20:20