From Ancient City to Chocolate City

Last Sunday, my roommates and I took a spontaneous trip to Perugia, Italy, in the Region of Umbria. We heard of a chocolate festival going on and there was no way we were going to miss that! So we woke up at 6am and made out way to Termini train station- where we of course had to buy our tickets and RUN to the train because it was leaving the platform right as we were getting on. Apparently, every 15-25 year old in Rome had the same idea as us because the train was PACKED. We literally had to stand for 3 hours, on very little sleep. (We were hoping to be able to take a little nap on the train and maybe even get some homework done, boy we were wrong) However we did meet a very nice American couple on the train, so it helped time go by a little faster. Couple of things about the youth of Italy though- they have no problem with discussing every detail of your looks while you’re standing right next to them. They assumed we couldn’t speak Italian or understand them, but I guess they were a little surprised when we shouted “parliamo Italiano” as they were walking by. They’re quite the impatient type also, pushing and shoving in order to get a seat or get the train moving. But, I guess it was all in the name of chocolate.
Once we got to Perugia, piled off the train and headed to a pizza place for a quick bite to eat. Then, we made our way to the mini metro. (yes, mini- that’s what it was called and that’s what it looked like. Very un-economical when you have hundreds of people trying to pile on and get to the festival) After waiting almost an hour to get on, we finally found ourselves in the heart of the chocolate festival. There was chocolate everywhere. Sculpturing exhibitions, free samples, and even stands that sold everything and anything made out of chocolate. (from chocolate salami to chocolate kebabs) It was really fun to walk around and see/taste the chocolate, until it started to rain. And when it rains, it pours. We tried to make the best of it, but after getting soaked from dancing in the rain, we found ourselves in a café drinking some cappuccinos and trying to warm up for the rest of the day. When we decided to call it quits in Perugia, getting on the mini metro and the train home was just as hard as getting there. Thankfully though, we sprinted our way on to the train and got a seat for the 3 hour ride back to Rome. All in all, it was an interesting trip. We got to go home with some chocolate and a new perspective on the people of Italy. It’s funny how Italians are so loyal to their region- being outside of Rome made that even more apparent. Umbria was fun, but my heart belongs in Roma.