Assisi

I just got back from Assisi yesterday afternoon. It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. It is almost a tie with Sevilla, Spain which I love to death. I spent three days and two nights in Assisi, and had so much fun with some really great people.

Assisi is a mountain town, and consists of only hills. I got such a workout while I was there, by the end of the trip my legs were shaking when I stood on them. We stayed in a semi nice building, that actually has hot water. The shower though is one of the most interesting I have ever used. The bathroom in itself was about 5ft X 5ft with a shower head in the corner, a toilette in another corner, a sink next to that and a drain in the floor! If I had wanted to I could have brushed my teeth, peed, and showered at the same time! I did not, but it was an interesting idea to entertain. The rest of the room was also small. My bed and my roommate's bed were only two inches apart from one another and we practically cuddled every night.

The most interesting part of the trip to Assisi happened the first night we were there. I was with a few of my friends outside a wine bar taking pictures. This sixty-year-old man came up to us smoking a cigarette and speaking Italian. He told us his name was Georgio and he attempted to make conversation with us. He ignored me for a while then randomly noticed me and started a conversation. He got out his comb and told me I would look much better with my hair out of my face. For his amusement I pinned my hair up and thought that would be the end of it...definitely not. My friends and I went into the wine bar to get a glass of wine and Georgio followed us in.

He's a very funny man. He told us he is a starving artist, and we decided he is the town drunk. Throughout our time at the bar he continued to approach me: winking, kissing my hand twice, blowing me kisses, and kissing me on the forehead. He told everyone in the bar how beautiful I am and that I am the best woman in the world. Very flattering, and also very crazy coming from Georgio.

We left after all this to get dinner back at our meeting place and decided to return to the bar when we finished. When we returned Georgio was still there. I tried to hide from him, but no such luck...he found me. He continued his flattering comments throughout the night. I didn't get anymore kisses on my forehead or hands, but I did get two love poems written in Italian! Oh my gosh, most interesting night ever. I still don't know exactly what they say, something about sunrises, and the loneliness without me. Crazy, but its something I definitely won't forget. That night everyone at my school knew about Georgio and the love letters. It was definitely a fun night! I did walk home with a bunch of people just in case Georgio really was crazy and tried to follow me home. He did not, so all is well!

The next day we headed to another mountain town, Buggio. More hills, churches, and beautiful views. It was a long bus ride, and a fun time in the town but I was happy to go back to Assisi! That night was fun, a lot of wine, a lot of pictures, and a lot of new people. All in all the trip was a blast!

I am now back in Rome, ready to start this new day and see what it holds. Hopefully each day will be better than the next. We'll see...