Firstly it was raining - big time (before the electrical storm)
Plus it was just downstairs
Plus the meal was very, very good - and not expensive either!
We left Assisi on Monday morning. It was much cooler - in fact you could say it was cold.
It didnt take as long as we expected to get to our next stop of Ascoli Piceno as the road has been seriously upgraded since our old map (2000) was printed. Theoretically it was over the mountains, but in reality it was a more leasurely drive through 2 tunnels, at least 5km long each, and then an enormous bridge which took us for possibly 10kms above a river bed. Way, way up high. It was a lovely drive and in places was only 6 degrees. I told you it was a cool day!
We arrived in Ascoli Piceno around lunchtime and it was cold and drizzly. Our hotel was supposed to be a 2 star but in reality its way, way better than that. We were so impressed when we arrived! Craig had booked it via a discount site online about a month before we left. Our room is extremely large and has a huge marble bathroom that is a dream to be in. We were very happy when we arrived and immediately showered to warm up and then hit the town. Its a very old historic place with a population of around 50,000 which is a little bigger than we have been in so far. (Except the major cities of course)
Last night we had a pizza each for dinner (I mean we are in ITALY!). It was 2 of the best we have had and we will be back - maybe tonight.....Plus it was very cheap and most of the people there were locals so it was a great mixture of people.
Today it is a beautiful day again. Very sunny and warm. Possibly around 20 degrees which is a good temperature for exploring the city on foot.
We went to a few of the noted tourist spots and we both really liked the walk over an ancient Roman bridge which dates from the Augustan Era and was rebuilt in 1230. Man thats old! Its still in use by vehicles but its very narrow so care must be taken.
At the end of the bridge is an old Roman 'laundry' and when we approached we realised that there was actually an older lady using it! (I use the term 'older lady' with some respect because OMG she was probably not much older than me!) Its a series of stone troughs with what would be a stone equivalent of a washing board, with a continuous feed of spring water. But its COLD water so imagine doing the washing by hand in the winter! After the lady had gone we took a close up pic. There is space for 6 people (ladies probably!) at each bay - 3 on each side with the cold water running through the middle. The cappuccin monks also used to use this place to dye their robes.
This whole area has such a lot of history. Stories of conflict, battles won and lost, land won and lost and overall the feeling of being a spectator in the middle of ancient history.
There are obviously a lot of modern features and the people are typically Italian - just the same as you see in the big cities. Craig and I both love the way they speak on the phone. You may not understand what they are saying, but the free arm (the one not holding the phone) is just going crazy! Such emotional and passionate people. The children are enthusiastic and very loud (especially when in groups) and yet have a degree of sophistication way beyond their years.
If it is a nice day tomorrow we plan to leave the city for the day and head to the coast (about 10kms) and then up the coast to find some sun and sand.
I think tonight I am keen to go back to the pizza place we found last night - assuming we can find it again of course! We have not had any accommodations where we can cook for ourselves, so its tough, but we have to eat out each night. Not expensive places - just local spots where the locals eat. Its so much more interesting that way.
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