The First Week in Assisi

Since arriving in Assisi, I've spent my days rambling across the Umbrian hills, gathering flowers, playing with Puppy (who is cute, but not a puppy), eating good Italian food, helping in the kitchen, researching Greek vase painting, reading Iris Murdoch, discussing Romantic poetry, meeting all sorts of fascinating people, and partaking in late-night freezer-cleaning Lady Gaga dance parties.

We're staying in a beautiful converted schoolhouse perched high up on Mount Subasio, in the middle of a national park, very isolated and quiet as it is about 20 minutes from Assisi.  The house is large and rambling, with books, flowers, food, and comfy nooks and crannies everywhere.

Kathy and I agree that it is very much a Diana Wynne Jones type of house, aka the best kind.

My corner in the attic:

The view from my skylight:

Balconies, terraces, and gardens surround the house, and our next-door neighbors are a cemetery and church, whose bells ring every hour.  We can also hear other church bells drifting across from the facing hills.

The house has marvelous views, both west and east, and the hills, covered with yellow broom, fade in layers back towards the blue sky.

Kathy spends most of her time in the kitchen, cooking and baking and blogging.  I stop in to help her - or just to share a taste of whatever she's whipping up.

Caught in the act:

Watching Chiara make tiramisu:

The people are wonderful.  We've met a lovely family from New York (whose two young daughters are gorgeous and hilarious), the Italian cook (who is formidable, but has a heart of gold), some ridiculous Italian boys (who help in the kitchen and keep us laughing all day long), two classy Italian girls about my age, and of course, the crazy family that runs this house.

Today, I woke up early and had espresso and Paula's breakfast cake with everyone.

Then, we had a mini-class on the history of Assisi and ate a lunch of white lasagna, salad, and chocolate cake.  This afternoon we're finally going to explore Assisi, and then after a good dinner, we'll watch A Room with a View.

Loving life!