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- Jun 29, 2022
- ⛅ 82 °F
- Altitude: 1,814 ft
- ItalyUmbriaGubbioSant'Ubaldo43°21’5” N 12°34’59” E
Crazy For Gubbio, Part I
June 29, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
We have arrived in Gubbio, in the Umbria Region. Today we will upload 2 separate posts because we could not decide which pictures best capture this amazing city!
Gubbio was founded in the 3rd Century BC, and, according to legend, was the place that the Romans would send their “lunatics.” So, doesn’t it make sense that we instantly felt at home here?
Gubbio is also known for being the place where ceramics were first made to be shiny, where there still exists one of the original aqueducts, and this town is home to the world’s largest light installation in the shape of a Christmas tree that extends all the way up the mountainside.
The highlight for today was walking allllll the way up to the highest duomo (cathedral) and finding that there was a little “bar” (in Italy, that sadly just means restaurant) to sit at and actually watch the bell be rung on the hour and every quarter hour. Who knew that staying long enough for two meals (and many, many bell chimes) is not “buone maniere”?! We enjoyed relaxing with carbs and chimes regardless.
As you know, we decided to change our journey from getting from place to place by only hiking, to one that more closely resembles 2 young and optimistic college kids backpacking around Europe (minus the young and optimistic parts, of course). So, to get to Gubbio we hiked, then took a taxi, then a train (twice), then a bus, and finally another short hike to the hotel.
To quote John Lennon, “Life is what happens when you’re busy making plans.” We spent so much time planning and training for this trip this past year, that having our itinerary shift so drastically has been an unexpected gift. It has allowed us to bend our expectations and expose ourselves to vulnerability far from the comfort of home. We have stopped the planning and thrown caution to the scirocco (the wind, not the car, because that could get messy).
Next stop… Assisi!
Ciao for now. 💚🤍❤️Read more
Traveler Wow that looks amazing! Wendy will have to take me back there … on a luxury cruise 😃
Traveler I am impressed that the two of you had the foresight and courage to pivot with your plans that you spent many hours planning. I am guessing that doing so was a growing experience that might be discussed with students in an opportune time. The life skill of flexibility 😊 You two rock!
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