The real good news? Assisi is groovy

Sitting in a restaurant in amazing Assisi, enjoying the Italian ambience as the Bangles' "Manic Monday" serenades me ...

Assisi is a day trip between Roma and Firenze, as I planned to only spend about six hours here. So far it has been worth it.

San Francesco's was interesting from a historic and cultural perspective, as many credit the frescos done here -- a popular pilgrimage destination -- with playing a major role in the Renaissance. The tomb (St. Francis of ...) is surrounded by a dark, solemn chapel. Many small photos, presumably of lost loved ones (including pets) are placed by Francis' stone coffin behind the iron bars that surround it.

The frescos play off each other in some instances, and the storytelling within is compelling -- even if one doesn't buy into it, the art and architecture still can be appreciated.

The city itself has been the highlight for me. Surrounded by walls, built on a hill and topped by a fortress, the windy and hilly cobblestone streets are as charming as they are narrow. Perhaps they are lined with a few (dozen) too many gift shops, but like many parts of Rome, simply exploring here has been the payoff. Any American towns planning a downtown area (ahem, Storrs) could use places like Assisi, Rome ... And Annapolis (really) as models.

Sure, tiny cars zip around, but all of these old cities (many Irish towns are the same) were built with pedestrians (and maybe horses) in mind. It's great.

FUN FACT: Francis was known to preach to birds. Either this shows his kindness to all of earth's creatures, or it offers a possible glimpse of the origin of the phrase "for the birds."

As in, Eric Clapton once played for the 'birds. Stretch? I almost went with baseball instead, but for some reason I can't remember whether the Orioles or Cardinals were the right reference. First thought was Paul McCartney, but he played for Wings -- so that wouldn't have made much sense. Not that making sense ever is a prerequisite. Nope, no way.

I tagged along with a Rick Steves tour group for a little while. A woman from Arkansas, after learning I am from the Northeast via LA, suggested I try out the middle states, too. I sensed an Obama-McCain debate brewing, so I kept my mouth shut. Anyway, I'm still being mistaken for Italian -- even after speaking English to my Turkish hostel mates, but the Arkansas woman (who was very friendly) said I reminded her of someone. And being from LA, she and her husband were thinking movie star.

I said, "Yes, I'm Campbell Scott."

She said, "No, I said 'star.' "

Ouch.

OK, that last exchange didn't actually happen. And also, I am producing this blog form a soundstage in Van Nuys.

Still to come: visit to the fortress, one more basilica and more exploring. Then comes the train to Florence.

Oh, the only reason I've been able to write so much here is that Italian meals take f o r e v e r. It's an event, which is great ... Unless you are an impatient American tourist with sights to see and a train to catch.

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Managed to find wifi. Will update more later, but must share this: the fortress was awesome. Totally incredible. And this town's streets, stone/brick buildings, alleys, stairwells ... Amazing.

Off to get a train ...