Day 38 - Sunday sleep day!!!!

We did make it to work right on time today. Still raining in Orvieto and fairly cold outside too. But it was all good. We worked on making 4 lasagnas this morning for future parties coming up next month. Then we had family meal, pork free, 4 cheese pasta. Tasty and perfect for such a cool day. Our only customers came in at 1:15 pm, two tables of 2. But I did get to do some cooking which was good, since my mind was becoming a little slow and forgetful of what I was supposed to do for a la carte service.

We wrapped up the day by snagging some items for dinner that we were going to be making at home, carbonara! Love it. A well deserved shower and then I watched StepBrothers with Drew, then I took a much needed nap, as my crankyness factor was rising.

Tyler and Franchesco both had KSU ladies over, and then it was Drew and I. Dinner was tasty, the at home Carbonara was rather lovely and nice for the cold evening too. My nesquick chocolate milk (I found the powder in Siena) at the end of the meal was perfect. I think I am off to have another glass now before bed! Then one day of work then some R&R!

Goodnight all!

A Blog FYI (Thanks Mom)

While viewing the blog pictures all one needs to do is click on picture and it enlarges, click on it again and it goes to full screen. Then to go back to blog you must hit back arrow button.

Day 37 - Saturday was a busy one

So it was another Saturday with a class of 10 students coming in in the morning for cooking fun. We also had 2 parties of 30 coming in the evening that we needed to finish up some of the last bits of prep for. The class was fun, they made quite a lot of food, as per normal. I helped break down artichokes for frying and worked on the fresh ricotta filling for sweet raviolis.

On siesta, I was able to talk to Moe, which was wonderful! I am also in the process of updating my resume, which is so boring, but way necessary. Any one want to hire me in a few months?

Dinner service seemed to whoosh right by. The first party, a group of 28 Arizona State University kids came in at 7:45pm. There were plans made to meet up with all the collage kids after work, which always seems like a good idea. The last party was an Italian group with 2 more courses than the first group, but the plating and service went fairly smooth.

The schedule was posted too. I have Tuesday off this coming week. I am thinking of going to Assisi, but still deciding at this point. Carlo told me that next week I will have both Sunday and Monday off of work, so exciting! I am going to go to Bologna and can hardly wait! It should be rather fun and food filled (and shoe filled). Hopefully that is what will happen (fingers crossed).

We went out and met all the kids out. It was fun and interesting. Kudos to both Frankie and Tyler for being gentlemen to the ladies that they are interested in. I met a U of M fan, so it was fun to get to tease them about their latest football season. Anywho, the walk down the San Francisco-esque hill at 2 am was no fun, especially since it was raining.

Looking forward to a half day Sunday for sure though! Hope you all had a great weekend!

Nikki

P.S. - Mom, I found the perfect tattoo for you, it is only 3 lines and would be perfect!

Day 36 - Pork Week Continues

So this Friday, after a week of pork and pig related activities and meals. The Chef and the rest of us were invited to another restaurant for dinner. Yes, this would mean closing on a Friday night, which given the previous weeks, not a lot of business was expected. And this was no simple dinner invite. The owners had butchered a pig in the morning and were serving a meal of it that evening.

After we were had been hoping for a day to get the go ahead to attend this meal, Chef said yes. So the boys, Chef, Carlo, and Vito Palo (FOH) and his Wife all headed to a neighboring town for dinner. As it turns out, it was not at the restaurant, but on the actual farm. We walked into the house and it was filled with a set table for about 20 people or so. The stove they were cooking on was a woodburning one, the wine came from their back yard grape vines, and the pig had been 500 pounds. It was definately going to be an amazing experience.

The first course was pork ragu. Sounds simple, and it was, but the sage and oil in the dish really participated well with the pork. We all had 2 servings, but held off on a third because we knew more was on the way. The next course was pork everything. Ribs, sausages, liver, there was no lacking of meat, that is for sure. The sausages were my favorite, of course. The meat was cooked simply by roasting them and the meat was so tasty, not dry. From Field to table in roughly 12 hours, it was a pretty special experience. Dessert came after, in which case I over indulged even more, but the almond cake was rather a perfect end to the meal. Ahh, the wine, both red and white, were made from the families grapes, not too shabby.

After dinner the boys and I headed out to the bar to meet up with some of the KSU kids, it was an early evening, but I still had to walk down the mountain, no good.

This week was pork filled and delicious! However, I am ready for Sunday night off to relax into a proper food coma.

Ciao!

Day 35 - Back to the Grind

We started the day with a slow and steady pace. Only 2 customers at lunch, but we worked on prepping some a la carte items and worked on some items for the two groups that we have coming in on Saturday. At Siesta, I was able to talk to some friends back in the states, so that was very nice.

Dinner was slow too, two more customers. It is still nice to get on the hot line and cook even just a few items. Drew, Tyler, and I headed to my new favorite place in Orvieto. It is Trezo Tiempo ( I think) It is a bar. It has real burgers, tasty fries, Pepsi Cola, ESPN, and free WIFI. Drew and I split the burger with tabasco sauce, spicy. Then it was off to home to start all over again.

This post is a little light, my apologies. But, I know that some of the others have been long. Better stories this weekend I promise!

Miss you all! Feel free to start booking your ticket to come and visit!

Love ya,

Nikki

Day 34 - Part 2 - Afternoon

After lunch, I decided to head towards the Durmo of Siena as there was quite a bit of history to see there. The walk over was shorter than I expected, Siena is a rather easy walking town. I stumbled upon the Baptistry first and stood in awe of the building height, color, and figures. Up the stairs I went to purchase a ticket to all 4 of the sights to see for 10 euro. Into the Museo first, which seems unassuming. Through the entrance and around the corner and BAM, the most beautiful Circle stained glass picturing the Madonnas assumption smacks you in the face. It took my breath away. It is surrounded by sculptures that had adorned the Durmo at some point in their long lives. It was so sound and quiet and lovely. It is not to be missed when you come to visit. At the little gift shop I purchased a few great little gifts (Melaine and Kristin) and I purchased the little calendar of all these vintage food drawings. I was going to go to the top of the tower next to get great shots of the city, but it was closed, bummer.

Then off to the Cathedral I went. Rounding the corner and the facade of the church stops you in your tracks 3 large entry ways. Using my multi-ticket, in I went and the enormity of the church swallows you up. This church is adorned with frescos from Donatello, sculptures from Pisaro, and so many wonderful marble structures. This place is so beautiful, that that describing word does it no justice. The pulpit is a story high, over looking the pews and the large alter.

Again, I had the opportunity to light a candle, but this time I lit three. One for Uncle Pat, now that his soul is at peace. One for dear Aunt Virginia for all of her continuous love of family. And of course, one for Thomas Olst in honor of his enormous personality that would swallow you up, just like this church. To the ones we love and the ones we have lost and the ones that are still with us; Life is so short, do not let a moment pass you by.

I headed back to the baptistry to wrap up the tour, but missed the final tour by 2 minutes. I headed back up towards the start of my trip, of course, stopping here and there to peruse. I found myself starring into a display window of nothing but prosciutto legs and curing salumi. Round the bend and found it was a little market. I went in and spent a bit of time and money looking around. In a previous photo you saw it, NesQuick! Chocolate Milk, I can’t wait. I also bought a traditional Sienese dense cake, some guancile for carbonara, and of course some fresh milk for the train ride home. I hit up the internet place on the way back and was able to talk with my sister, send some emails, post some blogs, call the DMV, call the Bank, and made a few more calls. It was a productive hour.

After figuring out the bus situation, back down to the train stop to catch my 7:27 train back to Orvieto. I slept for the first half, which was well deserved. The second leg, I blogged and had milk and cookies. Once in Orvieto, I walked home to the tune of Singing in the Rain, which was poignant, since it was raining in Orvieto.

Another great day trip and another well deserved day off.

Thanks for reading the long posts and checking out all the photos.

Day 34 - Siena - Part 1 - Morning

On the 8:10 train to Siena via a stop in Chiuai-Chianciano Terrne. I arrived in Siena at 10:36 am, found my way to the right bus to take me up to the city center and was in the plaza by 10:45. Thanks to my dear friends and family for the guidebooks, I would be lost without these items. Right near the bus area was a large market, I perused a little, but had not wanted to lose track of my bearings. I walked past the internet shop so that I could swing in later to make some calls (Yes mom, I called the DMV). From here I back tracked pass the busses and found myself careening into my favorite city in Italy yet. I am not exactly sure how it happened, but it did, this place is unreal. I window shopped, popped in and out of a few shops, peeked into restaurants, and saw so many amazing statues, buildings, and doorways.

My first stop was at a leather shop, guess who got a new bag? I did! It is lovely leather made in Tuscany and it was on sale!!! Don’t worry, there is a picture attached along with my other treats from the trip. From here I ventured into a delightful patisserie bar. I only stopped because they had bombolincini in the window. Thanks to Fuel for teaching me to make them, I can’t get enough of these little doughnuts here in Italy. The one in the picture was filled with pastry cream, yummy! This was the great start to the day ahead, two doughnuts and a sugary cappuccino.

After this, I kept on my merry way, heading straight for the Palazzo Palio (the town hall). This is also where the main fountain and openspace in Siena is. As I wandered down a steep narrow stairway, it opened unto me. It was a sight and feeling that I had never experienced before. The open ‘courtyard’ onto the bell tower and large building. I took a seat at the base of the fountain and soaked it all in. The sun was finally shining after a week of gray, there were all sorts of people about; students from England and America, Italians, and a group of American folks on a tour. I ended up taking some photos for the last group, a few from Denver, so it was nice to talk to the bunch. In my books I read of two little restaurants around the bend from the tower, so at 1ish, I headed over there. The first one, Osteria La Lugga, is closed until February. The second, Il Pizza De Papa, also closed till Feb. So back to where I started.

I ended up choosing Di Polio, I’m sure a tourist trap, but the outdoor seating was calling my name. I sat in the sun and ordered away. First up, the meat and crostini plate. The salumi was great, but the prosciutto was a bit off. The tomato crostini was divine and had a spicy bit of pepper in it. The liver pate one left a bit to be desired. The red wine paired nicely though. Next up, porcini risotto, perfectly cooked and quite tasty. For dessert, I ordered the Ciccolate Caldo al Peperocini. A hot chocolate as thick as warm pudding with a nice hint of hot pepper spice. I paired it with a few little cookies that I purchased at a fancy patisserie. It was such a treat.

Thank you sun, food, view, and the sound of Siena for a lovely morning.

Day 33 - The Best day in the Kitchen Yet!

Today was such an amazing day! The promise was kept, and at 10 am this morning a 165 lb side of a pig showed up. I am talking from snout to tail! Wild! Carlo traced out where all the delicious cured meats that Italy is known for come from; salumi, prosciutto, cappacola, guanciale. I know that some of you may be wondering why this is so exciting or may be grossed out, but there are some readers who are about to hang on every word of this post. Be warned, the pictures show lots of pork, knives, and happy smiling faces!

Once Chef Lorenzo came in, we began to decide what to do with the meat, decisions were made and we were going to be making lots of sausage, curing the cheek, two sides of belly for porchetta, taking roasts, chops, and loins out, oh spare ribs too. He began by removing the pork cheek, yes the cheek on the pigs face. This is said to be one of the most tender and flavorful pieces of meat from a pig. Let me tell you, IT IS! The cured cheek is known as guanciale and we use it in our carbonara and sliced, sauteed as an antipasto.

Then Chef removed the front quarter of the pig, the shoulder (from blade to the hoof). “Who wants to de-bone this?” ummm, I DO!!! So I took the shoulder and began to remove the blade from the leg joint. At first, I was being a bit gingerly with my knife and Carlo was like, ‘come on’ so l went for it. Blade out, just two more leg portions to get through; joint and knee. I basically took all the meat, fat, and skin off from the blade to about the ankle of the pig, so the hoof was in tact. It was really fun. Don’t be disturbed, I just like the art of butchery and would like to pursue it, thats all. From here, all the meat and fat were sent to the grinder for sausage and the skin to be kept for some purpose, not sure what yet. Yes, this has been the highlight of the kitchen in Italy.

Meanwhile, chef took the belly and divided it into two portions, removed the chops and cut those down to serving portions. It was all running fairly smoothly, Drew grinding meat, Tyler weighing and recording, Chef butchering, me doing a bit of butchering and packing of the meats, Carlo working with the skin and cheek and the loins. This was a very fun day and it was still only 11:30 am. For lunch we had fresh ground pork in some homemade taglitelle pasta with sage. So tasty! After lunch, we made sausage, packed the roasts (4 in total), vacuum packed the chops and leftover ground pork. I learned a new way to tie off the sausage, so that was great too.

During siesta, I was able to Skype with Marcee, who after a moment or two was able to get her video side up and running, congratulations! For family meal dinner we had fried potatoes, with fresh spicy ground pork topped with over easy eggs. So tasty! We were dead for the first hour or so of service so we were all online. Carlo showed us a video of him making carbonara that a previous intern had shot, pretty cool. Then Francisco, on his day off, came in with one of the KSU girls for dinner. Tyler and I were on hot line and worked pretty well together. We pushed out 2 courses for Frankie then dessert. Another 2 tables came in and Carlo and I worked 2 courses for each group. I felt good on the line, confident, ready. Ok, a bit nervous too.

After service, the guys and I went over to the KSU house and chatted with the girls for a bit and then roomies and I were headed home. Halfway to the bus station we were sidetracked by a bar that we have walked by many times. They show American sports, serve beer, and have a hamburger on the menu. So we popped in to have a beer and Tyler and I each ordered a hamburger, since they actually looked like beef. Best idea of the night! It was actually quite good and the fries were skinny and well-cooked.

A great day for sure! I am off to Siena tomorrow, Firenza’s rival city, so I am excited.

Ciao Rigottsi’s

Language Lesson

Guanciale = Cured Pork Cheek

Prosciutto = Cured Pork Butt and/or Shoulder

Maiale = Pig/Pork

Day 32 - Changes a Foot

Shout out to Brian, Miki, and Lindsay for chatting it up with me on the phone a few days ago, it was a nice treat to catch you all at once and talk about my cappuccino addiction and about how much I miss you all Wish they had a XBox Kinect Dance Game here.

Slow Monday with just a small party of 7 scheduled for lunch. Since we were at another 2 week mark, it was time to make job changes. I was moving to hot line! Yeah, after a month, I was excited to try out my abilities. Not that there is anything wrong with pantry and dishpit, since they are both key parts of the kitchen, but I am excited to challenge myself. We ended up having one customer in the evening, and it was roommate Tyler. Plated two dishes of three so it felt good.

Afterwards, chef took us all out for a beer. On sleepy Mondays, only 2 places in Orvieto were open so we hit up a place called Clan Destino. Small, but they were playing decent music (it was a dvd of the 1985 LiveAid, of the 5 of us, Chef & I were the only ones even alive when that happened) Beers came and so did some small bites, gratis of the house. I would not recommend eating them next time. I think the only safe thing was the peanuts, but those were probably not ideal either. But it was still fun.

With my day off only 1 work day away, I was getting excited for a day away. Chef has been promising to change the menu for a few weeks now and he stated that Tuesday morning, we would be butchering a pig. Of course we were all excited, but not sure if it would actually happen or not. But it would be the best 1 month anniversary present ever if it did.

Bueno Notte Amicis!

Language Lesson

Amici = Friend

Rigottsi = Guys

Rigottsa = Gal/Girl

Day 31 - Sunday Funday (Sunday SnoozeDay)

I look forward to Sundays because we only work the morning, which is so very nice considering we usually go out the night before and tend to get in a tad late. This Sunday, like the rest was a tad slow, although, we did have a few customers. As I counted down the hours till I was able to be snug as a bug back in my blanket, I kept threatening to the boys that I was not leaving the house that night and that dinner would be to delish since my mom had sent me a wonderful little treat. Of course, I coined myself the old lady and they only gave me a little grief.

The shower and the cozy nap ensued and was delightful, however, I did have my first work dream. Carlo, the sous chef, was yelling at me to make gnocchi faster, but it was a different type, because instead of potatoes, he was making me use pears for the bast of the gnocchi. It was wild and if the proportions were there, it would probably be good too.

I skped with my mom which was lovely and then made the dinner she sent. Yes in the land of carbs, with fresh pasta everywhere, I made Blue Box Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. (I will give you this time to snicker, make comments, etc.)

It was such a silly comfort food to want, yet it was so tasty. After my indulgence of an American treat, the boys razzed me enough to go up the mountain to have dinner with them, even though I was only going to order dessert. Begrudgingly, I changed out of sweat pants and went. After walking around for a while and not finding a decent place open to eat, I went home, with the ‘old lady’ comments trailing off behind me.

I have decided that this next Sunday will consist of almost the same thing, except no changing out of sweats and since I hit the Euro Spin grocery store, some tasty meal.

Enjoy your Sundays and make sure to spend them however you want!!!

Nikki

Day 30 - Saturday Nights Allright

The market for the third time, and this time I took Pictures! It was very cold, so a few less vendors than normal. We purchased some more fresh mozzarella, micro greens, and of course cappuccino. I had 4 cappuccino's before noon, this might be becoming a problem. :)

The cooking class went well, we made cannoli which was a first, with fresh ricotta that we bought from the market. With the leftover dough, we made some custard filled italian wontons that were rather good all cooked up. We made plans to hang out with the KSU folks after work, so looking forward to put on a pair of jeans and feel like a normal gal again.

The evening dinner party schedule for 19 was set for 9, and they showed up at 9:50, so that was lovely! We ended getting out of work just before 11, and headed to the house party. The boys and I headed out. It was a very long day and at the end of the night, it was time to walk home, yes this means down the big hill. We were at a crossroads, they boys went one way, and I tried another path, which was a little more dangerous and I may have ran into a pricker bush and a little gate or 2, but made it home just fine.

All in all, I was ready for a half day on Sunday, looking forward to my next day off on Wednesday.

Language Lesson

Pusto - Stinky

Camera - Room

Albergo - Hotel

Day 29 - Friday Funday

So it has officially been 4 weeks since I arrived in Italy. It is wild to think that it has only been a month when it is feeling so much longer than that. Friday was a quiet day, we were prepping for a party of 16 that would be coming in for dinner that night. Other than that, not a whole lot happening. The new intern Drew, it was his first full day. He had been with the last contingent of AI students for 10 weeks here in Italy that left in December. He is back now, after graduating from the AI in Cincinnati. The first half of the day was slower, no customers, but with Chef in house there was quite a bit of prep to work on for the weekend.

During siesta, Chef took all of us to a cheese factory. Um, amazing! This place produces sheep, goat, and cow cheeses. Although the machines were not running, we did get to look at the factory floor and walk into the aging coolers. You have never smelled anything like it in your life. Formmage everywhere! We ended up purchasing roughly 100 Euros (45 lbs) of cheese, in the US, all this cheese would have sold upwards of $400. It was wild and delicious! We also had snow in Orvieto, although it did not stick, the pictures attached came from the trip to the cheese factory.

Dinner was slow, but the party was good. We worked on a few last minute items for the cooking class on Saturday, and then off to bed I went, since we were being picked up early again for the Market with the 2nd round of KSU students.

It has been very cold, but from my understanding, no where near as cold in Colorado & Michigan! Thinking of you friends!

Also thanks to my Mom for sending me the best care package ever!!!! I am so much warmer now!

Love ya'll,

Nikki

Day 28 - Party Harty

We started the morning with an early trip to the market with 10 students from KSU and Chef. It was a bit cold and rainy, but still good. We purchased some guancale (pork cheek) from the meat truck, that was pretty fun. Some black cabbage, fresh arugula, cherry tomatoes, and plenty of cheese to boot. It was nice to have a smaller group to cook with this time. With Tyler making bread, me on getting the party food ready for the 82 person party, and Franchesco working the students, this was a very lively kitchen so early.

The students made some tasty items, but the chocolate mousse was the best. And if you hadn't already guessed it, my roommates were trying to figure out which gal to swoon. Always fun to watch! The 82 person party came an hour and a half late, so that was fun, but if you can believe it, we served 3 courses to these folks in an hour! Wild, but fun. No siesta break today, but also had no customers in the evening. The boys went out, and I went home. Yes this is lame of me! So What! I needed some down time, a hot shower, and sleep.

I was able to talk with my mom and my friend Melaine, so that was amazing. Sleep came well on this chilly day in Orvieto.

Miss you all!

Day 27 - No More Customers

Wednesday, a whole day with Chef Lorenzo in the kitchen, and a whole day without customers, again. We prepped a few last minute items for the 82 person party that was scheduled for Thursday afternoon. We were also prepping for the 10 person class in the morning from Kansas State University. Overall it was a pretty easy day.

In the afternoon, Franchesco and I bought some gelato, which was delightful, considering I got the Bacio, which is chocolate with chocolate chips. It was pretty tasty. At the end of the evening, Tyler came in at the end of his day off and we all walked to the bus and had a simple slow evening.

All in all a slow and sleepy day in Orvieto! Missing you all!

Nikki

Day 26 - Day off in Perugia - Part 2 - Shopping and Eating

Even though all the guidebooks told me to get a quick meal and eat it on the steps of the piazza, I decided to dine at Ristorante Victoria, overlooking the piazza.

A small, quaint place that probably seats about 35 total people. First up, Salumi Umbria with Mustard Fruit, yup, another delicious cured meat plate, so good!!! The bresaola was divine and the prosciutto was almost more sweat than salty, my favorite item on the plate. Not having mustard fruit before, I was excited to try this item. It looked like a can of fruit cocktail was opened and cooked down a little to thicken the sauce consistancy. However the taste, very pungent with mustard and almost a bit spicy. Paired will with some bread and a slice of cappicola or bresaola. After all the tasty bits were gone, on came the Spaghetti Carbonara. This has been my favorite dish since bein in Italy, so I decided to stick with it. The seasoning was spot on, but the sauce could have been a little thicker. The one bad bit was that in some of the slices of meat in the dish (we use guanciale, others use prosciutto) there was a little bitty bone chunk in them. Not so nice on my teeth the first time it happened. So I picked around them. I was going to order a secondi, but I decided I wanted dolci instead. Even thought the Omelette de Tartufo (Truffle Omelette was clearly calling my name) I went for a cappuccino and the ciocolate salami instead. Whoa was this thing damn good! Like a fudge consistency, with bits of hazelnut in it to look like salami. Rich, yet I was able to finish 2 pieces. The house wine with the meal was tasty too.

With only an hour and half before my train home, I decided to walk back to the bus stop and peruse some shops too. Yeah! New Italian Coat! I know that everyone here wears puffy down coats, but I just don’t work well in those, so I found a coat that is lovely and wool and on saldi! The picture to the right does not do it justice, the collar actually can unfold into a hood, very cool. I also bought a little present for Melaine! I am going to need to buy another suitcase for all the presents alone I think.

On Bob’s suggestion, I also bought some chocolate, as Perugia is known for this. And in the land of carbs, I found chocolate pasta! I can’t wait to make a sauce of brown butter, pistachio, and chocolate shavings to go with this. I did purchase some little bites too, but I have been a good kid and not eaten them yet. I also went to a bakery today, Stranacha, purchased a delectable little item called a strochelia. MMMMMM, tasty! Like a big fluffy donut.

Miss and Love you all!

Nikki

Day 26 - Day off in Perugia - Part 1 - Travel

As you all know, I am such a morning person (lie #1) and I never oversleep (lie #2) I also never stay up late (lie #3), so it was so shocking that I missed my 6:11 am train to Perugia today (lie #4). Yes, silly me, I booked the earliest train to Perugia today, to get as many hours in as possible. Yes, I stayed up until 3 am, mainly because after the movie and getting showered and checking some email items, it was that late. So yes, I did oversleep my alarm(s) and miss my train. Luckily, the ticket I purchased was a regionale one so it was good for 4 hours before or after my original ticket purchase. Phew! I jumped on the 10:06 out of Orvieto, with fog all around, I was worried that it would be a cool weather day to explore, but halfway through my first leg of the trip, the sun broke and the clouds dissipated. Perugia is roughly a 2 hour train ride from Orvieto with a stop. It is north-east of Orvieto halfway to Florence. It is very close to Assisi, another day trip for the future. Thanks to Bob for telling me about his experience and for giving me some pointers.

It is a beautiful city, yet another Italian hilltop town. The train drops you off at the bottom and then I jumped on the bus to take me the 1.5km up to the top to Piazza Italia. From here, the main shopping and dining street Corso Vannucci takes you to the center of town and Umbria. I did a little window shopping and then was on the hunt for a meal. (see Part 2)

With Perugia being the home to two different collages, there was a definite collage vibe there. Lots of young people and stores that cater to them and down the mountain, all kinds of build up and it was more of a city than I had expected it to be. It is interesting to see that the same vibe that happens in Ann Arbor or Boulder resonates here in Italy too. Gotta Love a Collage Town!

I went into the Nazionalle Collegio de Cambio, said to be the worlds most beautiful bank. They may be right. I took some illegal photos :) The word working was ridiculous in this place. The frescos were lovely. Mom, this is one stellar bank lobby I tell you what. Then I went to the National Galleria of Umbria, housing some of the finest works of religious artwork I have ever seen. There were many things to see and I would recommend paying the 6.50 Euro to go and do this.

If you ever make it here, spend time in Perugia eating chocolate and street food and seeing the sites, all while looking over the mountain to the bustling city below. Also, the public transportation here is so great! My roundtrip ticket to Perugia was 14.20 Euro and my bus fare RT to the top was 3 euro. Not to shabby of a travel day.

Mom, get your walk’n shoes on!