To Spoleto We Go

Being a city girl at heart, I'm not terribly certain about the meaning of the term "make hay", but I think it means that one is urged to do something (like mowing down a wheat field), when the time is right to do it.  So, yesterday, one that started and ended with sunshine, was a day to make hay. The weather forecast was accurate for once and we decided to not waste one single minute, fearing that the accuracy will continue and we will be faced with more rain soon.

Our apartment is located in the upper part of the ancient hill town of Assisi.  This part of town is known as the "Parte de Sopra" and we're located approximately 160 meters away from a bus stop area called the Piazza Matteotti. Cars that drive through our neighborhood, do so with caution and always with side-view mirrors tucked in.  Most of them just about fit, width-wise and when encountering one on the narrow streets,you have to find a place into which you can tuck your body as the vehicle passes by.  There isn't room for both your body and the car so the bigger one wins.

The train station is located in Santa Maria degli Angeli, the "service town" of Assisi, down the hill, outside of the ancient walls, and is 2.2 miles of what I consider an easy walk.  Coming back, not so much.Buses go from the P. Matteotti to the station on a regular basis so the option is aways open.  Most of the time, I opt for the walk and yesterday, we did the option of .....compromise.  Caught the bus at the other end of town, the "Parte de Sotto", and exited at the train station for the next leg of our journey and some more challenges and caught the train to the beautiful hill town of Spoleto.

I'm not good with reading transportation schedules.  Or maps. But I do have a good sense of direction and time.  Joe's great on schedule-reading and maps.  He can decode the "you are here" symbols and know where to turn to go to "we want to be there".  Together, we make a good team.  And, we both like to walk, accepting challenges along the way.  He says that I have a great "stride" and I accept his compliment.  Walking is my sport.  It's the only thing I feel really "good" at in fact.  

Spoleto,one of the largest towns in southern Umbria, is another walled medieval hill town.  The lower parts of its wall are from the 6th Century, BC. Spoletium, the first Roman settlement, began in 241 BC, evidenced by remnants of this culture throughout the city. From the top of the city, which is accessed by seven sets of escalators, the views of the surrounding valley are incredible. We were able to enjoy an unhurried lunch at a table by a window and stroll leisurely through the un-crowded town, enjoying the sun and the beautiful architecture. We prefer travel in the off-season for many reasons, not least of all, the lack of tourist crowds.  We almost had the town to ourselves.  

I guess you could say we made hay. Abbiamo fatto il fieno.  (I bet there's an idiom for it here)

Yes, we walked up to that fortress