We spent the morning on Saturday exploring Assisi. We didn't have to check out untill 11a, so I walked over to St. Francis' Basilica and then wandered around peeking in shops and down alleyways... It really is some of my favorite views of Italy...
Regardless, the drive from Assisi to our villa at Borgo Cassorele will definitely live in infamy for those of us who made the trip! We had three cars caravaning on the trip... Ray, Tony Maggie and I were in one car, Dave, Julie, Becky and Kristine were in another and Paul, Jenn and Sara were bring up the proverbial rear. We were doing really well until we stopped to get gas. You see, we went past our exit to get to the gas station. You would think it wouldn't be a big deal... go down, turn around and take the right exit. That would work great in America! We, however were on a paid Italian motorway (kinda like the turnpike), so we had to go to the next exit, pay the toll, take a CRAZY detour to get back on the motorway... missed the exit again, went to the next exit, paid AGAIN, did another CRAZY detour to get back on and then finally got off at the right exit... WHEW!
Now the fun really begins... Paul's GPS, aka Francesca, which had been a mute Italian girl, decided to wake up. Paul took off on his own for the Villa. Ray's GPS, named Lovey, got a bee in her bonnet and took us on a crazy adventure. Now Dave was following us because he figured Ray knew where he was going... Long story short, we ended up in a cornfield with Lovey directing us down a dirt road that had a chain across it. Being the observant people we are, we knew there was something wrong. So, we turned around meanwhile Lovey was recalculating. We started on our way again, until Lovey tried to direct us over a bridge that wasn't big enough for a kids big whell, let alone the ENORMOUS cars us Americas were driving (we kinda did look like a mafia hit squad). So once again, we went another way and Lovey started recalculating. We finally found the road we needed to be on that started to lead us over the mountain.
Here's where the fun really starts. Not only are we driving over a mountain, but the road has hairpin turns and is a favorite for bike riders! Now we are going over the mountain, trying not to pick off the bikers, Maggie's trying not to be sick and asking Ray to go slow and steady. For anyone who's ever driven in Italy, they all think they are Formula One drivers... slow and steady isn't something they do! Ray is trying to start down the hill with the Italians on his heels while Maggie keeps saying, "Ray! Slow and steady or I'm gonna puke." By this time, I'm laughing so hard I can't see straight!
We finally make the turnoff for the villa. It road up to the villa is one lane at best! Maneuvering the Mafia cars up that hill is a true psychology test in the making! I'll try to post picture of it... We are gonna risk death and try walking in town tomorrow!
Once we arrived, I have to admit... This is truly God's country. We are on the side of a mountain! We overlook a town called Lamporecchio. I would post a picture, but the internet is being finicky and won't let me at this point. We braved the "driveway" again to go in town for groceries. We got back and made a great dinner and drank LOTS of wine to celebrate our arrival. Maggie's brother and his family met us at the villa so our little group grew to 16. A wonderful night was had by all!
Tomorrow I'll post our adventures starting from Sunday on. For now, I'm going to bed! It's 12:30a and we spent about 12 hours on our feet today... I have a blister between my toes! Ciao my friends!
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