Italy 2017 - Day 3

Good evening from Assisi,

What a beautiful day here in Italy. The sun is shining, everyone is well rested, and we are ready for more exploring of this beautiful country. 

As the chaperones were taking in an easy morning of sleeping in and a lazy breakfast the kids were hard at work. Rehearsal started at 8 am for all choirs with Dr. LaBarr and Ivo Antognini (composter). They worked hard for 3 hours before being released to venture out. 

We boarded the bus and headed to the small town of Spoleto. From the bus we had a climb of 335 steps (most took the 6 sets of escalators and we counted the steps on the way back down)  to the path around Spoleto on a walking tour. We passed beautiful overlooks of the hills and valleys and the Bridge of Towers which is an aqueduct connecting Spoleto to the Monteluco, a once sacred forested area. 

After hiking around the city, we went into the city center and the Duomo di Spoleto. This beautiful cathedral was dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Roman architecture and paintings left most of us in awe. 

After our tour we had time for lunch and exploring Spoleto on our own. 

We headed back to the hotel for an evening rehearsal with the full choir and orchestra. They have rehearsed from 5-8 pm before dinner. 

For dinner tonight, we were taken to an Agriturismo dinner at Restaurant Carfagna which is a farm to table restaurant.  Everything that was severed was grown, raised and prepared right on sight. It was a wonderful meal of gnocchi, pork, potatoes, and bread. Being our Independence Day, the restaurant made a wonderful cake with the American Flag in the middle for dessert. The food was amazing as usual.

We got back to the hotel tonight to go straight to bed. We have two very long days ahead of us both physically and emotionally. To think we are going see these kids perform at the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi AND at in St. Peter’s Basilica is truly going to be one of the most memorable moments for all of us! 


Buona Notte, 
​Kristin

Having trouble uploading pictures so they will come as soon as I can get them! Sorry for the delay!