Il
15 maggio
Assisi
Assisi
is one of those places where, at certain times of the year, the
weather can “change on a dime.” I have often woken up to bright
sunshine (che bella giornata!), only to experience a marked drop in
temperature, brisk wind, and rain all in the span of a few hours (che
tempo brutto!) The only way to be prepared for this is to dress in
layers, always wear a scarf (I like to leave the house with two-one
for style and another one for warmth), and have a portable umbrella
in your handbag. This past week has run the gamut so I have had to be
flexible with my plans. Actually, I've learned that in Italy
“flexibility” is a must; so much of what happens is “dipende!”
(that depends!) and, for me, life here is different every time.
Although
I've been busy with school, I'm spending a lot of time with
friends-old and new, having “mini” adventures everyday, and, more
and more, eating out in local restaurants. I've decided that I can
show off my Italian cooking skills when I get home; when in Italia,
why not enjoy what the local eateries have to offer and practice my
Italian at the same time. Eating has always been a “high point”
for me so Italy is a rather perfect place to be.
Today
in Assisi was all about il Giro d'Italia (Italy's answer to the Tour
de France.) This bicycle race is a very big deal for the country and,
as a small part of one of the stages was a ride through town, the
streets were decked out in pink balloons, packed with vans for TV
personnel and equipment, full of lots of vendors selling souvenirs to
commemorate the day, and loaded with tourists and locals mingling together to
cheer on the cyclists and get a look at them as they crossed the
finish line. Many of the streets were blocked off and, because I had
“il pranzo” out and didn't go home for lunch, by the time I tried
to get back to my apartment to get my camera, it turned out to be
impossible. So I just “squeezed in” the crowd and, actually, had
a quick glance at the cyclist who won the stage. (Cycling up the
steep Via Portica and into the Piazza del Commune is no easy feat!)
Since the streets are narrow, one could almost touch the riders as
they passed by, preceded by cars with officials, emergency vehicles,
lots of honking horns...it was very much a 21st century
day in this 12th century town.
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