Heart Breaking In Perugia

On my flight to Roma, I scrolled through the pictures still left on my phone from over a year ago when I was last in Italia. It was a trip down memory lane that brought an equal amount of happiness and sadness. Before I even landed, I knew this trip wasn't going to be like the last. The people who made that trip the most weren't going to be sitting on the steps when I arrive or hanging out at Demphsey's with a drink in hand. And of course, like so many of you know -no Italian guy.

The flight was quite the experience. If you think America is the melting pot of cultures, hop on an EasyJey or RyanAir flight. I felt like I was standing on the boarder of three countries. So all of our announcements were in English, then German and last Italian. If you couldn't speak one of those you were screwed.

I am hating myself for typing these words right now but I found myself frustrated with my beloved Italy the first night I was there. I really can't believe this but I'm far more German than I will ever. EVER. admit again. I missed my first train and unlike Germany with organization and timely trains I found myself expected to arrive almost two hours later than wanted. Plus I found out the mini metro wasn't working to get to the centro. And to top it off- I found out on the train that my connecting train in Folino turned into a connecting bus. What? Oh Italia. My hope was that when the sun raises the next day, I would be able to laugh at all of this. It's just Italias way to say welcome back.

Well unfortunately, the unexpected bus ride wasn't the last problem of my night as I tried to reach the center of Perugia. For those of you who have been at the Perugia Train Station, you know there is always a ton of taxis there. Guess what? Not one! I waited about 15 minutes and then one came- thanks to Kara calling. Then, he dropped me off two streets over which I didn't know where I was. I just have to say that through all of this I don't have wifi or any internet connection. So I had to turn on my America data plan... yes cringe! I hated having to do this but there was no other option. I would have never found Kara that night if I didn't turn it on and look at a map. I will be paying for this though. 

Finally I found Kara. We hugged and went straight to bed. She had an early class and to be honest, everyone else was sleeping... really wasn't a time to catch up. 

In the morning, I woke to a beautiful view from the kitchen window that I didn't even see the night before. 

After taking in the view, I walked to the center and got myself a cappuccino. After the first cappuccino, the rest of my trip blurs together. Every morning walking to the center, eating whatever seems right and window shopping. This was truly a vacation- lots of reading, lots of gelato, and plenty of slices of pizza. 

Pizza Med: always the best! 

One afternoon, Kara, Joey (Kara's brother) and I went to the country club pool for a dip. We spent a couple hours there and topped off the night with dinner at Il Bacio. Wow! Listen to this... I knew I wanted an Italian dish. Not just pizza, while I was there... so I was flipping through the menu and decided on a pasta dish with mushrooms, zucchini, and truffles. When I ordered the waiter gave me a thumbs up, I knew it was going to be good. It was seriously unbelievable! I will be dreaming of this dish and may even take a part of my two week holiday in October, just to go back and have it!!!!!

Appetizer 

As I said earlier, I ate lots of gelato. I'm talking at least once a day. Sometimes twice. I couldn't help myself. There is one gelateria in Perugia that I always go to and this time I only went to! By the end of the week, I remembered how to order a cone and he was calling me his "amore". 

I read a lot because Kara was in class during the day and Perugia just wasn't the same. In August, it's a high amount of tourist visiting the city. Although many things don't change in the city, same owners... same flower guys... same views... same tastes. But it was all wrong.  Not only was the lack of students but the lack of my students, my friends. The truth is... Perugia will never be the same as you have in your mind, in your memories. So my dear fellow Peruiga studiers- I warn you. Unless you travel back with a big group or accept this fact, you will be kindly disappointed. I even accepted this while I was on the flight and still find myself sadden by the memories that flooded me every time I turned the corner. It truly is like a break up. You have this one place you never want to go back to because it was "ours". You know? It's a place you had your first date, place you shared heartbreak, exciting news, anything and everything. Well, there it's like a whole city of reminders. It's not just one place, it's a city of remember that time... heart breaking as I walked the streets. 

Found a cat park. 

In the back alley, you can find this. The closest form of a grilled ham and cheese.. but better! 

Although, I did not get this at 2am. It was still delicious... ultimately sugar donut filled with chocolate. Note: Better with Nutella and at 2am!

To my surprise many people asked if I am Italian. What? No I'm the pale American that can pass as German or British... but Italian? You just offended the Italian culture. Ha! The woman on the train asked. Even I was leaving Perugia and I got off the bus, a man asked if we could get a coffee -in Italian. He thought I was Italian... may I add, this rarely happens in Berlin- getting asked for a coffee (getting hit on, if we are honest). Sometimes it's nice to know you still got it. Ha! 

Like I said, a little less than what was expected but still beautiful, tasty and it was a pure joy to see Kara. I am so glad I went. I am also glad to realize that people make the place. I am lucky to have spent my study abroad with the best group of people! To those ladies in particular, I can't wait to be reunited. 

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