Devotissimo suo, Sarah: Dog Days

The week was pretty typical. Nothing too earth-shattering to update anyone on there. To be honest, I spent a lot of it laying in bed. Kind of a rainy week, everyone was pretty lazy. Thursday night those who were left at the Villa (some had left already for weekend trips) had a jam session in the basement. People were playing the piano, guitar, and singing. I attempted to keep my sub-par singing voice at a lower level, but it was just too fun.

Friday morning a group of six of us took off to Perugia and Assisi. We pretty much conquered TrenItalia and had no problems. For once. We arrived in Perugia around one took the Mini Metro into the city center. This Mini Metro is quite the concept. Take a subway and just picture one of the cars. That's it. It was the oddest looking little thing. We were in some sort of future world it seemed. Once we got into the center we walked around the trying to get our bearings. It's possible we went into a church or two. Yes now I do remember--we saw the Madonna's (Virgin Mary) wedding ring! Eventually we decided we should check into our hostel. Walked around forever trying to locate it, only to find out that it was approximately half a block from where we started the hunt. After arriving and being condemned for not bringing our passports with us and for having one guy stay in our room with us, we entered our room..or more so mansion. There was a loft! It was spectacular. Cue bunk beds and campfire talk. After dropping our things off we went back out into the city and wandered a bit more, eventually finding a nice place for apertivo. Upon finishing that, we walked about ten steps and found a place for dinner. Which is where we met Mario. I will draw you a mental image. Older Italian man, probably in his 60s. White beard, very jolly. Wearing a pepto bismol pink shirt. I believe this was his restaurant. We ate some delicious pizza, and after finishing that he basically ordered us to have dessert. "It is mandatory! Not optional!" So we obliged. Me and two of the other girls opted to share some biscotti that you dip in brandy. I was unaware that each bite would basically knock my socks right off. A little strong for me. But I finished it for Mario. After about a three hour dinner we headed back to the hostel. This is where I need to draw you another picture. Ben, our dear friend who joined us on this trip, is the proud owner of what is called a Blue Kazoo. A sleep sack. Sleeping bag. Cocoon. And an inflatable pillow that one wears around their neck. This served as a laughing point for a good half hour.

The next morning we rolled out of bed, somewhat unwillingly, got some pastries, and took the train to Assisi. Not that I should expect anything less in Italy, but we arrived at the station, and looked up. And up. Of course, Assisi would be on top of a hill. That is the only place Italians like cities. I will admit, this does provide for some great views. We took a bus to the top, we weren't crazy enough to walk. But don't think we lucked out too quickly. There were stairs. And more stairs. A few more, and when the stairs were done, there were just some nice inclines, sans the stairs. But unlike in Siena, where it was uphill both ways, this time, you got to go downhill after going uphill. Oh the joy. So Assisi is the birthplace of St. Francis, for all my Catholic readers. We got to see the church where he and St. Claire were baptized and his tomb. Both were very fascinating. A good majority of the day, we sat around at various places, it seems that we tend to do this a lot. We assigned everyone Hogwarts houses and dogs. Productive use of our time. Somehow I ended up in Slytherin. Whatever that means. I'm boycotting that decision. And I'm also a chocolate lab. Those two can't go together, so they are wrong. It provided for some great entertainment. Everything in Assisi was just fantastic. The views were some of the best I've seen, and the weather was perfect.

Saturday night I stayed up in attempts to watch the Sartell Sabre Dance Team at state. Of course, the streaming wouldn't work until the dance RIGHT after Sartell, but I was able to watch them be announced as STATE CHAMPIONS!! What a fantastic moment for the team--so deserving. I can't believe I missed being there in person, but I'll just hope for some repeat action next year!!

Today Camellia and I went into Florence (it was raining, of course, because it rains every Sunday here) and we finally went to the Uffizi. I actually went on Thursday with class, but after being here a month and a half, we considered this quite an accomplishment to venture there on our own. After that I did a little shopping, got some new scarves from the market and a pair of heels to wear to the opera on Tuesday. Italian opera. This should be interesting.

My next post will be about spring break! Spain!! Brace yourselves for a long one!