I have never been to Europe when there was not some type of strike and sadly this trip was no exception.  The day got off to a rough start and continued that way for quite a while.

I hurried from school to catch a train and again got turned around and ended up almost back where I started. When I finally made it to the train station an hour later, I should not have hurried. The train workers are on strike till 5:00. I guess they don’t mind interrupting the travelers but will go back to work for the commuters.

This left me about 3 hours to kill. Problem was I was carrying my overnight bag and it was already getting heavy. I headed out to get lunch but was too picky. Was looking for a place with free wifi and outdoor seating with a view. I passed several places hoping to find the perfect spot and found myself at San Lorenzo. Since I was there and doubtful to be back on this side of town again I decided to go in. It cannot compete with santo spirito. It was nice but very austere. It just seemed big and empty. The cloister is included in the ticket andI got to see Lorenzo Medici’s and Donetella’s grave. No elaborate sculptures or anything but interesting. There is a nice carving by Donetelle that they are restoring and you could see the work being done. All in all it was nice diversion.

Never found the perfect lunch spot and just had a glass of wine at a enoteca. The wine came just in time I was starting to crump.  The sandwich I grabbed heading back to the train station was pretty good and it was worth seeing the church instead of sitting down for lunch.

Finally got on the train which was super crowded since it was the first one out since 11. The line for tickets was incredible. Before I left for lunch I was 219 and the were on 147 with four clerks. Two hours later, I pulled 378 and they were on 256, so I decided to try my luck with the ticket machine. I got my ticket but I didn’t know the last stop so I couldn’t find my train. I had to go back to the ticket office. I still had my 378 but there was an information line and I pulled 1088 and that line they were already on 1079 and most of the people didn’t show up so I hardly waited. So it ended up working out well. He told me what train to get on and where to transfer. Everything went smooth just 3 hours behind schedule. I don’t know why more people were not using the information line but I guess it was lucky for me.

The train took me through castillion florentina and cortona. It was too dark to see anything but it was nice knowing where I was.

I am going to get into town too late for anything tonight but will get an early start on the chocolate festival tomorrow. My next post will be all about chocolate.

P.S.
Made it to town and already love Perugia. The hotel is great right in the old part of town with narrow little cobblestone pathways. I won’t have to worry about cars for a few days. I went out to grab something to eat and walked around a little. The chocolate festival is literally right outside my hotel. The tents were all closed down but I am looking forward to checking them out tomorrow. There looks to be some really good shopping as well I can’t wait to peruse the shops (in between chocolate sampling of course).

Found a pizza walk up still opened and had a slice of sausage pizza for less than $3 then stumbled on a beer store and hand a couple of beers. It was great they poured my bottle of hoogarten into a plastic cup and out I went for more window shopping. Tomorrow could be dangerous if I get to drink my way through town. Who knows what I’ll buy.