Assisi & Artimino, Italy (Tuscany)

After spending two wonderful days in Rome, we set out for Tuscany. On the way we made a stop in Assisi to grab some lunch and to check out St. Francis of Assisi Church. Upon arrival in Assisi, we were a bit confused as to what was going on because nobody was in sight. It literally felt like we were walking through a ghost town, but an amazing one. We were awed at how beautiful the town was.We made our way through the quite, brick covered streets to St. Francis of Assisi Church. What a walk down hill, after hill. I was exhausted by the time we got there but it was well worth the trip.

Upon leaving the church, we all realized that the whole hike to the church was downhill which meant I was walking up hill on the way back. Note to self: Don't ever go on a hiking trip being 5 months pregnant again!!!

Later that night we arrived in Artimino to our Tuscan villa, but it wasn't an easy hike. We first had to go under a single car bridge and then over a single car bridge...yes I really said that. The bridge was no wider than our car and it was pitch black out. Kristen and I were in the back with our eyes closed praying we made it safe.

Our Artimino apartment was fantastic...a two bedroom, 2 bathroom, kitchen, living room and dining room was perfect for all 4 of us. The view was also amazing; we can only imagine how beautiful it was without the rain.

For two nights we ate at the highly recommended Biagio restaurant located on the hotel grounds and it was beyond fantastic. During dinner the second night, our evening was special for all the wrong reasons. Allow me to explain...

As the waiter approached to take our dinner order Dominic asked "Can you explain what Polenta is?". The waiter shot back in very broken English and with a thick Italian accent "It's mice." Half puzzeled yet very intrigued we all broke out in a bit of laughter. Dominic asked if the "mice" was chopped up or fried to which the waiter replied "isse goode, juice try it". Reluctantly, Dom agreed.

Now it takes a special person to agree to eat vermin, I've never been in that position but in a rare show of support for his wingman Christian decided to join Dom and agreed to try some. As the minutes drifted by, fingers started tapping the table and sweat started to show on both Dom and Christian's forheads as they awaited their chopped and fried "mice". Then...out of the kitchen...it came.

In what seemed to be slow motion our waiter busted through the kitchen doors with a dish we couldn't see into. The sweat now dripping off the forheads of both boys the moment of truth arrives...he puts the plate down in front of Dom as we all gasp. The mice arrive in a bowl of yellow, cornmeal type mixture. Slowly, Dom raises his spoon and takes a taste.Before Dom takes his leap of faith into the dish Christian has a puzzled look and finally puts the story together. In French the word "Mais" is pronouced "Mice" and means corn. When looking at the yellow mixture Christian determines that the dish is actually a corn based soup as opposed to vermin. To say that was a relief is an understatement. We still laugh about this event today. Too funny!!!