Buona Pasqua da Assisi (Happy Easter from Assisi!)
by dag on Apr.17, 2009, under Uncategorized
I spent the weekend in Assisi, the city of St. Francis (well, the other city of St. Francis – San Francisco, which is almost as hilly and has a similar vibe, is named after him.) Francis seems like he was a pretty enlightened dude. He loved nature, and he started the Franciscan monastic order who are all about simplicity and meditation. They say he put a blessing on the walls inside the city – so that everyone who visited or lived there would know peace. Could be – it’s certainly one of the very most peaceful places I’ve ever been. Also very beautiful.
While there, I climbed to the top of the city (which is built on a hill) to visit Rocca Majora, the fortress that sits at the peak. The view was great, although I wish it hadn’t been so hazy. Here’s a panorama I took from the top of the tower:
(Click above to view large – and it is really large)
More shots of the fortress:
There were a great many oddly shaped holes in the walls of the fortress. I quite enjoyed the effect of taking photos through them:
Here are some shots of the surrounding countryside.
The orchards around the town were full of wonderfully bent and gnarled trees. They all looked very happy. Notice the forked trunk at the bottom. Could these be… sleeping Ents?
I took a lot of shots of the windy, steep streets of the town itself, which was also beautiful, kind of like Venice but with steepness instead of canals.
Here’s the view of the town from the window of my room at the hostel.
Even the graffiti artists were inspired by St. Francis:
The atmosphere at the hostel was great – very chill and friendly and warm, much in keeping with the whole place. For a two-day stay I made more friends than I’ve made staying a week in other places.
Seen here are (right to left) Trude from Norway, Marcel from Austria, An Aussie named Lloyd (thanks Trude :-), Pablo from Brazil, and Justin from the US. Also, that guy grinning like a fool in the background is just some random weirdo who snuck into the photo at the last second. What a freak 🙂
April 18th, 2009 on 8:13 am
hi Jim,
Love your photos. The australian guy whos name you have forgotten is Lloyd, I can’t remember the other guy’s name either. I’m in Firenze now, leaving for Venezia or Cinque terre tomorrow. Not sure yet.
Trude
April 19th, 2009 on 2:55 pm
Think I recognize the ‘weirdo’ in the background! This looks like the same guy who was in that photo of the remarkable ‘Idea’ event in Paris recently (at the Rodin Museum)! May be a freak, but he sure seems to be in the ‘right place at the right time’ anyhow. Might be worth sticking close to him…
April 23rd, 2009 on 5:32 pm
Yo,
I’d be that state-side guy…
But I must agree, you’ve captured some sweet scenes and grove shots.
I’m back in school again. How’s that suitcase these days?
April 24th, 2009 on 12:37 pm
Hey Justin, good to hear from ya!
Thanks about the photos, it’s mostly ’cause Assisi is so picturesque.
That suitcase died after just two more times using it — on my way into Naples the axle broke and half the wheels flew off 🙂 I’m on my third luggage now, with more solid wheels, and a shoulder strap. I’m treating it like a baby — well, like a baby I’m dragging along behind me on the street, anyway. We’ll see how long this one lasts.