_assisi

Not a whole lot is new. I have a nice block of time this afternoon to catch up on life (but what is life really?), since I don't have my printmaking class until after dinner. We haven't done the late night art class yet, but I'm really looking forward to it. It is really the only time that I have to myself since I live, eat, and go to school with everyone here.

_I'm looking forward to_spring_the budding flowers_birds chirping (hopefully they are the ones that can actually sing and not the ones that think they can)_walks on the outskirts of town_not having to wear my coat all day every day_sketching comfortably outside_

I am beginning to realize how fast time is passing. We really only have two more months to go and I am wishing that the days didn't slip away so fast and easily. I want to be able to hold onto every experience, moment, and feeling of awe and wonder...

Anyway, we spend the colder than usual day in Assisi yesterday. We visited the Basilica of Saint Francis first. The crypt wasn't constructed until the 20th century, when the body of St. Francis was discovered. Above the crypt is a Romanesque church, and above that, an Italian Gothic church with the famous painting of Giotto di Bondone. Apparently they have frequent earthquakes here- the last one in 1997, that destroyed some of the frescoes and killed four people- 2 monks and 2 art historians.


It threatened to rain the entire day, but thankfully, we only experienced a few sprinkles. Below is the facade of St. Francis with the ominous sky. Quite beautiful, minus the tourists.


Santa Chiara


The view of the town from the castle that we hiked to after lunch.


The wall of the castle with one of the 'trucks' that exists in the small towns.


I love all of the 'pockets' of interest as I walk the streets.


I can't wait for spring!!!!!


Typically, we have a tour in the morning and then we are on our own for the afternoon. Some friends and I ended up spending a good part of the afternoon in a cafe talking about art, architecture, design, painting, styles throughout history, etc.. We met back in the Piazza del Santa Chiara to walk to the bus to go back home and this lovely burst of sunlight, highlighting the distant Umbrian countryside, presented itself beautifully.