Una Avventura In Umbria - #1

il 22 settembre, 2013

I've been back in Assisi for well over a week now and each day I remind myself that I haven't yet posted a blog entry. Am I becoming lazy...or maybe I feel like I've said it all; what more can I write about this place that feels like a second home, that welcomes me each time I arrive, that is so familiar, and yet always has something new for me to discover.
 

These past twelve days have been busy ones for me as I've arranged “una piccola avventura” in Umbria for a group of ten people who will arrive on Wednesday. Although I reserved the lodging a year ago, hired my two Italian guides last May, and had already planned out the itinerary in full, it seems there is always a little bit more to do to ensure that this trip will be something personal and memorable for my guests. So, just to make sure, I ate in several new restaurants this past week which (being a “foodie”) was much fun, so that I felt certain I had selected the eating experiences I would like my group to have. Dining is very important in this country; it is part of the culture here in Italy which is why the opening of “fast-food” establishments is, to me, unfortunate. Granted, one can get a wonderful panino or slice of pizza “per portare via”... but to fully appreciate “la passione italiana” one needs to sit and enjoy a meal...many meals...accompanied by the “requisite” amount of wine.

The weather this week has been glorious with lots to sun to welcome the throngs of tourists who come here from all over the world. With the Pope's arrival in Assisi on the 4^th of October, the Assisani are in a state of expectation. Hundreds of thousands are expected and the security will be unprecedented. Carabinieri and la Polizia are coming from places near and far, as well as the Pope's own security from il Vaticano. In order to even walk on the street (as if one will be able to!), it is required to have a special pass...not just for the visiting tourists, but even for the Assisani. It was necessary to apply “online” and when one of my friends went to pick up her pass, she was told that over 50,000 requests had already come in and that her application for a pass was accepted...but, as of yesterday, she had still not yet been given one. There is not a room to be had in the entire city and I wonder what will happen to the to “very many” who will come here with the expectation of seeing il Papa, but don't have the requisite pass to move about.

The week of the Pope's arrival, my guests will be staying in a villa outside the city walls, but, even so, I am taking them into the countryside, far away from the confusion, however exciting (or not) it might be. And to do this...we must leave the area early in the morning as the streets in and out of the city and in the environs will be closed from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Yes, this will be quite the adventure!