"Ants in my pants, poopy shoes and various shenanigans"

"Under the Tuscan Sun vs. Under the Umbrian Stars"

"Guess who came to dinner?...Tom the Franciscan Monk and Suzanne"

I can't decide what to call this entry, so I'll just describe my day today. I left my pants on the floor last night and when I went to pick them up today there were some ants in them! I shook them out and laughed as the phrase "ants in my pants" came true. Had a lovely breakfast before setting off to see San Damiano (The Church St. Francis rebuilt). It was a misty morning with dew still on the silvery olive trees and birds singing their little lungs out. I whistled back at them their tunes while I walked along. There was a sense of wonder all around and of all the many churches I have been to in this trip, San Damiano is my favorite so far. The simple, truthful, and cozy atmosphere there was fantastic. I also visited the Saint Clare Basilica, the Saint Rufino Cathedral, and hiked to Rocca Maggiore (castle ruins). Somewhere along the way I got caught in post-goat-traffic and luckily had plenty of wet grass to wipe off my poopy shoes as I walked. After all this, I wandered through town and picked up some gifts and special items to ship home. Back at the hotel it was time for a shower and some laundry before choosing somewhere to have dinner. Trattoria Degli Umbri was my restaurant for tonight with a flight of Umbrian wines (Montefalco Rosso 2008, Rubesco Rosso di Torgiano 2007, and Assisi Rosso Sportoletti 2009) and colorful fettuccine with mushrooms, streaky bacon and sage for dinner. I took some notes about the wine and "Tom" the Franciscan came over to ask if I was writing a travel book. I explained I am just writing a little travel blog and asked him to sit while we chatted about Assisi, Franciscans, travel and wine. After he left a solo traveler named Suzanne, from Chicago, came in and we had dinner together at the same table. After dinner I took advantage of the quiet streets and went for a walk to capture the town at night. I have never felt more safe and peaceful on a night walk than I have tonight. The stars were out in full splendor and I breathed deeply the sweet, spring night air. What a place...Assisi.

Tomorrow Plans: Mail a box home to the US, head to the train station and make my way to Venice.