When we got back from the Perugia day trip, it was time for another party at the farm down in the valley. It was raining—foreshadowing for how the rest of the walk would go.
The music, so we were told, started at 10, so we planned to leave around 9:30 (not actually getting out of the door until 9:45). On the way down, we struggled to find the way we had come up the last time. As we strained to recognize landmarks in the dark, it soon became clear that we were had no idea where we were. Although I had fully anticipated that we might get lost, the sentiment clearly wasn't universal, and a few small arguments broke out as stress levels rose. In the height of that stress, we stumbled upon one of the creepiest things I've ever seen. Gated off in a courtyard was a white, glowing neon cross, under which was a life-size crucifix. Either side was lined with gravestones and an ambient orange light seeming to emanate from the walls.
After being thoroughly off-put, we did eventually arrive at the farm at 11 pm. Unfortunately, the band had stopped early, apparently because of daylight savings time? Clocks would change that night, but they hadn't yet... Either way, it was still a blast. Five euro for food, wine, and DJed music. We danced, made a fire, and went back up the hill.
Stephen, Jess and I decided we wanted to stay up until sunrise. But, after half an hour on top of the cold, windy mountain and seeing that the sunrise was a long way off at 6 am (the clock change had kicked in by this point), we defeatedly decided to head back down to bed.
Another Saturday, another day trip. This one started out with a stop in Assisi, home of St. Frances and site of the first Franciscan church. As it stands now, it may be my favorite church we've visited. It's not overly lavish (relative to other Italian churches), with dark, low arched ceilings and, of course, frescoes and other art lining every wall. The outside architecture, though, is what I found most appealing. The surrounding space filled with columns leading up to the large, castle-like church set against the sky created a great, almost fairy-tale like effect.
After the church, we walked the streets up to a quaint little piazza. Nothing extraordinary, but it had a nice little vibe to it. We stayed there a moment and moved on the the next city—Perugia.
After the bus driver spent about 45 minutes trying to get into the city, we took the train in. Almost immediately upon entering, Stephen saw a girl he recognized from a random encounter on a bus in Cortona. Her & her friend agreed to walk around with me, AJ and Stephen to show us the city. Most of our trip was comprised of walking around the city. It had much the same feel as Cortona, but clearly was a much larger city. We walked along an ancient aqueduct, stopped in an antique market, and walked through the cobbled streets until it was time to go home
It feels so strange to be talking about the end of the semester, but it's coming up quick. Today was the first day that I seriously started considering how I will finish all my work in time. My parents come on sunday, and they'll be here for two weeks, then Kristen comes for the week after that, at the end of which is the final show. So, in the next two weeks (if I want to be done with my work and still have time to see everyone) I have to film and produce possibly two movies, keep on top of this blog, and continue making lessons for Art Ed. I'm not stressing too bad about it, but It's a bit of a reality check that the end of my time here is coming at me pretty quick.
I think the reason my workload is even an issue is that, although I know I can get it all done, it all involves computers. Unfortunately, that means that when the weather is nicest I'll be cooped up indoors. I need to make sure I don't lock myself inside for this last month in Cortona.
The plans for booking my final trip are slowly materializing... A little bit too slowly—I really should be taking more of an initiative on it. As it stands right now, I will be going to spain, then Paris, then Amsterdam, then London, and back to Zurich for my flight home.
...get laid, get drunk, break something, be debaucherous."
These last words left on the dorm's common room by Bret the day that he and Fitz had to leave. These two were ex-students hanging out for a couple weeks in Cortona. It might have something to do with the fact that they had no work to do, but these two kept it lighthearted and reminded us all not to take ourselves too seriously. We are in Europe, after all.
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