Assisi
Winter 2011
 |
On a hilltop in St. Francis' town of Assisi
(Feb-2011) |
Journal Entry... I'm thinking, what's a possible place for a day trip from Rome? On hubby's birthday, which was coming up. I was told to close my eyes and imagine... the cool mountain breeze... labyrinth pathways... olive groves and grapevines... a fortress... and mementos from a hometown boy and his female counterpart, Saint Francis and Saint Clare... in the medieval town of Assisi perched on a slope, two hours from Rome.
 |
| Two Peas in Assisi |
1-feb: Day trip to Assisi... On hubby's birthday, we woke up early to catch the regional train that leaves the Roma Termini station for Assisi, at 7AM, the earliest schedule. For a minute there, hubby and I could not locate the platform to the train to Assisi. Train ticket said, "1/2", which actually meant that the platform was halfway down the main tracks at Roma Termini station; thanks to the Italian nun who was riding the same train to Assisi, for pointing where the train to Assisi is waiting.
 |
| Assisi on a hilltop in the Umbrian region of Italy |
 |
| This way to the Basilica... |
Aboard the now moving train, hubby asked me if I had validated the train tickets. Tip: Yellow-colored ticket validation machines can be found in train platforms; insert the train ticket into the machine slot to validate for day-use, and avoid the penalty fine, before boarding the train. If one forgets, immediately look for the train conductor inside the train for ticket validation, ASAP. I replied to the hubby, "Oh, no!" In rushing to get on board the timed train to Assisi, I had forgotten to do the ticket validation. Immediately, I went looking for the train conductor to have our train tickets to Assisi validated, putting up a tourist's apologetic face while the train conductor put a hole stamp on both tickets.
Outside the Assisi train station, a bus plying the hilly town route awaited the daily visitors. I told the bus driver that he looked like "George Clooney", the movie actor; bus driver said, "Who is that?" to which I said, "Google him... ciao!" First bus stop was at the bottom of the hill... I told the hubby we were getting off at the last bus stop on the hilltop. Better explore the hilly town of Assisi walking a downhill route, than uphill.
 |
| St. Francis Basilica in the hill town of Assisi |
 |
| View of the Basilica from the bus stop at the bottom of the hill |
 |
"Birthday Boy"
in Assisi |
When in Assisi, do come prepared to battle those uphill and downhill slopes (not necessarily in that order) on a self-guided walking tour. Don't fret if you've only got a day in town. When you can't seem to find your way, don't give up. Things have a way of falling into place in Assisi... Pretty soon finding yourself back on track, with still enough time to spare to catch the return train to Rome.
Lunch at #PizzeriaOtello: forno pizza, truffle-infused pasta, and soup-of-the-day.
 |
| Night scene on the hill town of Assisi |
oOo
PHOTOSTITCH
#Italy #Assisi #winter2011
 |
| At Roma Termini station... for the Assisi day trip |
 |
| On a self-guided walking tour of Assisi... |
