Today began bright and early. After waking up around 6:30 am to pack and say goodbye to Rome and Hostel TrustEver, the bus rolled out at 8:15 on its way to Assisi.
To digress real quick, myself, Kost, Carmen and Casey all found out by the second or third day that we likely had the smallest, smelliest and therefore worst room in that hostel. Our bathroom was tiny and the blankets looked like the standard-issue you might get in basic training of the military. But you know what, after five days it felt like home, and I find myself desperately missing our colorful little home base sitting 
here in this magnificent hotel.
After a three hour bus ride most of us slept through, except for brief periods of consciousness during which I saw the most beautiful and tall mountains I have ever laid eyes on. If I remember correctly, Matteo said they were the Apennines.
The road passing by these giants then took us to the most beautiful place I have ever been, Assisi. I’ll put a handful of photos below for this one because I truly believe I cannot describe this place to you, whoever is still reading this besides Helen and my mom. The buildings and their pink and orange and red flowers clinging to the windowsills are all works of art within themselves. Even the clouds are more glorious stretched out over the wide valley below. And it was quiet. AND it was the hottest day so far, and we were all long overdue for sunshine.
We took another recommendation from Matteo (sans long walk in a torrential downpour) who told us to try this one place if we were feeling brave. Pizza and pasta is great, but I was happy to finally come across food not commonly seen in America. So for lunch, for the first time, I tried capellini stuffed with artichoke and ricotta cheese. For how it tasted and only for 9 euro, everything about that meal screams “You can’t find this in America.” It was outstanding.
We then toured the city and Basilica of Saint Francis, which, although it didn’t stick with me like the Basilica of Saint Peter, still had its fair share of beauty and grace with its timeless frescos.
The tour ended with a surprise: wine and cheese tasting, which was a goal of mine to do here in Italy from the very beginning. We tried five different wines and two cheeses, both to be dipped in a balsamic glaze. The one glaze was so good I ended up buying a bottle for 19 euro. Whoops.
One part had us try a dessert wine that tasted like honey and came with an almond cookie with a cherry in the center to be dipped in the wine. The hostess and one of the shop’s owners called it “meditation and medication.” And let me tell you, sometime smack dab in the middle of next semester I’m going to be tired and stressed with one of my 12 hour days, and I’m going to think about that cookie and wine and feel completely unbothered by everything. That’s how fantastic it was.
Great dinner as well. Tried to cop a recipe to see what spices made our roasted potatoes so delicious and unique. Tried to learn how to scoop and serve pasta by placing a spoon and fork between your knuckles from the waiter. Failed at both.
Another side note, Duolingo helps. The waiter asked me if I was a waitress in Italian when I commented on his spoon and fork trick and I understood perfectly. Cameriere/a- waiter/waitress. Brownie points.
That brings us to the five minute drive to the hotel watching the sun go down over a town where likely nothing terrible ever happens ever, which is ironic because several people seemed distressed over Prime Minister Angela Merkel coming to town tomorrow. Big yikes.
For that reason, we have to be up at 6:45 am and out of here by 8:15. That being said, from paradise, good night…