Asissi/ Hike to Cortona

So our trip yesterday was listed on our syllabus as a "walk" to Cortona, but I think we all realized that it was definitely a hike. A 6 and a half hour hike to be exact. Probably about 10 miles. And despite all these things, it was absolutely wonderful. There is nothing like getting out into nature after being herded through big cities on all our past trips. We got some great aerial view of both Cortona and Castilgion. I also have to admit that I am not sore at all. I think we probably walk for about 6 hours a day when we go on trips anyways, so this was just the same general thing but just in a different setting. Certainly a more vertical setting!

So that was Thursday. Tuesday we went on a trip also but to a town called a Asissi. I have very mixed feelings about Asissi. On one hand it has absolutely beautiful churches and beautiful artwork as well. But on the other hand the city as a whole seemed to very much exploit the beauty of these things and the beauty of St. Francis, who the city was built for. St. Francis was a saint that renounced worldly goods and preached against the idea of the wealthy church, which was present at the time. He lived as a peasant but when he died the city of Asissi built a very large and extravagant church for him. Kind of contradictory, but beautiful none the less. What bothered me most about the city was that everything in town that wasn't the church was trying to make money off the church. A millino gift shops all with the same overpriced St.Francis and Santa Maria trinkets. Overall, not really my type of city. The highlights were the awesome Medieval Fortress and the San Francesco church, which both happen to be pictured here. :) Oh, and it rained all day. Yeah.. Asissi is not my fav town.

Going to Pisa tomorrow and have to wake up real early, ciao!