Pastel of Carceri Footpath

Keep your love of nature,

for that is the true way

to understand art more and more.

~Vincent van Gogh

Carceri Footpath pastel on LaCarte 2011

This is the pastel I have been working on (that was driving me insane) and I finally have it just about where I want it. Phew. The thing is, is that it looks so different on here! The actual piece is darker and deeper in places and the greens are a little different. I tried to compensate by using iphoto but it's still not right. Alas, it's the best I can do!

This path is from a photo I took at the Franciscan Sanctuary up the road from the old part of Assisi called Eremo delle Carceri. There is a beautiful monastery there with lovely forested footpaths, as well as outdoor chapels and small caves in the mountainside where St. Francis and his closest followers spent weeks at a time praying. I did a post about it from my last trip.

It's another of my favorite places on the planet. Being there, you can see why Francis loved it so much. It is so lush and peaceful and feels, as I have said before, sacred.

But I always think that

the best way to know God

is to love many things.

~Vincent van Gogh

Gli Eremi

After spending maybe two hours at Carceri (by the way, the cab drivers will tell you "You only need 30 minutes! I will wait!") Ted suggested that we stop on our way down the hill at Gli Eremi for cappuccinos and a snack. The inside was packed but the sweetest Italian couple offered to share their table right outside which was so much nicer and more memorable. They were from Civitanova in The Marche region and had come to spend the day together in Assisi. They were very friendly and seriously adorable.

It's amazing the people you meet on your travels and just how open and wonderful people are. (Especially in a place like Italy!) This was just another example. Our little snack turned into beautiful antipasto, wonderful bread and wine and fabulous boar stew and best of all, fantastic company.

Turns out it was Mother's Day! We'd almost forgotten until Lonedana (in the sunglasses!) reminded us. She was so such a sweetheart. She said, "From the Italian Mamma to the American Mamma" and pulled a butterfly ornament out of her handbag and gave it to my Mom. I thought they might both burst into tears. It was such a sweet moment. That's our new friend Ted from Sidney in the middle and as you might have guessed, my parents on this side of the table. (I had only temporarily spaced out, my Mom's Mother's Day card was safely tucked away in my suitcase. Shockingly I had thought ahead!)

You can also order inside and take your food below to the picnic tables

... and have a view like this!

Ristorante Bar Gli Eremi di Perla Dania

Via Eremo Delle Carceri, 15

Assisi

Friendship is the golden thread

that ties the heart of all the world.

~Anonymous