Chris & Kelly's Travel Adventures
Today was a day to reflect upon people who've somehow touched our lives (currently or from the past). Reflect on a man who made it his life's work to shun all materialistic things and instead focus on peace, kindness, and nature. I am talking about St. Francis of Assisi. We spent today visiting the town of Assisi.
For those of you who don't know. St. Francis was the son of a wealthy merchant in Assisi. He denounced his father and way of life and instead built a following by teaching peace, kindness and appreciation of nature. He spent most of his time homeless as a street beggar. He built his 1st chapel from stones that he begged for and shaped himself. Many people started to follow his example, so the Pope allowed him to form the Francesan order on his principles of poverty and helping others. 2 years after his death, the church began to build what is know known as Basilica di San Francesco in his honor. It is at one end of town and 3 stories high. I'm personally not sure St. Francis would have approved of this structure, but one thing Chris and I noticed- most Basilica's of note, charge an entrance fee and there is usually a constrant stream of tourists. There was no fee at Basilica di San Francesco, no photo's allowed inside and it was a tone of reverence and joint respect between parishioners and tourists. It is a pilgrimage location and it is taken seriously. Noisy tourists would not have been tolerated. It was a nice change of pace.
With tummy rumbling we headed to Buca di San Francesco for lunch. A beautiful little family run place (inside and out). We started with Ravioli stuffed with pecorino cheese, with walnuts and honey. Then steak with a red wine vinegrette and pearl onions with balsamic. Dessert was Amarena (black cherry ice cream) with chocolate crumbles (sorry we always get so excited about dessert, its half gone before I remember to take a picture). Everything was so good. We would certainly recommend this place.
After lunch we waddled over to Chiesa di S. Maria Maggiore. This is a very special church and here in this humble little church. Chris and I lit candles for our Catholic loved ones who've gone on before us. Today we think of you: Yussef, Marilu, and Delina and to my beloved Papa and Aunt Lucy.
In a time of reflection of other loved ones who made an impression upon us, but that passed before us, we also remember you in loving memory: Grandma Lois, Mom (Patricia), Almona, Buryl and Helen, Jennifer, Jacque, Jo, Mary Jo, Diana R., Jim K. and Benny. There are many others not mentioned here, but not forgotten.
Basilica of St. Chiara has direct ties to St. Francis. A young woman who fought against the ideals of her family, ran away in the middle of the night and sought refuge with Francis (not a saint until after death). He gave her plain clothes and hid her. She formed a order called the "poor clares". As with St. Francis...the church in her name was built several years after her death. Her Basilica lies on the other end of Assisi from St. Francesco. Big on the outside, very plain on the inside and again no photo's allowed. The two Basilica's on opposite sides of Assisi seem to remind people that Assisi (men & women) is a place of quiet contemplation, kindness and the wonder of nature. All of this is celebrated here. Its a wonderful little town.
Below is the Temple of Minerva. This is now a church after being redone in the 17th century and it lies in the middle of Assisi. Compared to the other churches, its interior is very ornate.
Assisi is full of artisans. Many wooden things made from olive trees, the same way Oregon showcases Myrtle wood. Also hand painted ceramics and loom stitched linens.
In the afternoon we rested a bit in our room and listened from our balcony to a outdoor hymnal music concert being played somewhere in the city. It was wonderful. We watched a beautiful sunset (see final picture) before heading to dinner.
We went out to a highly rated local restaurant with high hopes for Chris's pre-birthday dinner. This is usually when things go sideways...this was no exception. The menu was very limited, but we used our translation on our phones to help, and so ordered a fried chicken sandwich with spicy mayo for appetizer, pork filled ravioli for 1st course and guinea fowl w/quinoa for 2nd (main course). The key piece of information missing here is that this a fusion Asian/Italian restaurant!
So our Popeye's inspired sandwich was coated in chinese 5 spice and served on a steamed bun. Our "ravioli" was actually pork dim sum in a parmesan sauce w/black truffles and finally our guinea fowl was marinated in soy sauce and rolled in quinoa and fried. Our taste buds were so confused. I won't say it was bad, but when you order Italian and you get Asian...its just wrong. As we gave our tastebuds time to adjust we listened to the music playing from the restaurant and the more we listened the more confused we got. They were playing American music and we recognized the lyrics, but the melody was all wrong. To give you example: Madonna "like a virgin" but it was played and sung like elevator music. Between the music and the food we were having a good time, then it started to rain...then pour (of course we were sitting outside, under an umbrella...but just enough so water was running down my back) now we are truly laughing...you just can't make this shit up.
Had to get to bed early...tomorrow is an exciting day for the birthday boy!
