How We Spent Our Wednesday This Week

 We left town yesterday!  That's right, we jumped on a train and took ourselves to Perugia for the afternoon. That is, after walking two miles to the train station. 

Our walk to the station is lovely.  Spring is finally showing off here, with flowering trees bursting, birds chirping and green, green, green fields that justify Umbria's nickname as "The Green Heart of Italy".  It's along this route that one catches that first, heart-stopping view of Assisi, the Basilica and monastery prominent on the horizon. Seen from below, it's a photographer's dreamchild. I'm guessing that there have been a lot of minor accidents over the years. Gobsmacked first-time visitors, totally distracted. It's easy to understand why. 

Another lovely feature of the walk to La Stazione is the MacDonald's, unique for its position and for its modernity. Not to mention the fact that one can get an espresso here, along with a rather pricey burger and fries set. But....they do have a public restroom. Thank you very much.

Perugia is easily reached by train and is anywhere between 20 and 30 minutes away. The train stops in the newer part of the city and from the station, a cute little train called the "MiniMetro" climbs up to the top and from there, the old part of Perugia is accessed. Think of a big cable car on railroad tracks. 

We had a nice lunch, strolled around the city for a bit, and then did the whole thing in reverse, getting back to the Palazzo in time for a freshen up and then.....back out again for a seven o'clock dinner date with our friend Paul.  

When we made the date to meet for dinner, Paul asked if we had a place in mind, one that we had not tried yet on any of our previous visits.  We told him that we were determined this time to get to the little trattoria on the most charming of all Assisi streets, the Trattoria da Erminio on Via Montecavallo. They have an open fire on which meats are grilled and the tiny family-run place is picture-perfect. Joe and I had the lamb chops, Paul, the rabbit (no thank you).  It was an amazing meal and we plan to return.

Our total bill for the dinner was surprisingly low. The word "surprise" is operative. Everything, and I do mean EVERYthing here has gotten out of whack. The prices are high and we're thinking that, as in the U.S., this is post-pandemic catch up. In addition, there's an attitude that seems to be pervasive with business people thinking that all Americans are rich. Rich and stupid. Do I sound somewhat disillusioned? Do not get me wrong. I still am very much in love with Italy and will always defend the country and the people but....... 

I fear that if this continues, the small regions of Italy will not prosper as they seem to be planning on. Tourists will not tolerate this stuff. They will stop coming or perhaps, they will limit their time and budget to the big cities, crossing the small ones off of the list. 

Time will tell. 

In the meantime.......Mom and Dad......send money!!!!!