Singers leave Philadelphia, arrive in Rome, head to Perugia

All's quiet at Philly airport. (WH)

According to the Market Square Singers' itinerary, our family and friends left Philadelphia late Sunday evening and arrived in Rome in the morning. Singer Wilmer Henninger reported that the airport was very quiet so late in the evening and sent a photo to prove it. Some Singers had gone a few days earlier to do a little sight-seeing and satisfy their cravings for pasta and pizza, no doubt.

Lana and Beth fortify themselves for the flight. (WH)

Bob is tall enough to stow his bag with ease. (WH)

 Over land at last! England's green and fertile fields below.

After passing through the airport, the Singers are back in the air, flying over the White Cliffs of Dover.

It's official -- the Italians are glad the group has arrived.

Upon arrival, the group boarded a bus for Perugia, located about 100 miles north of Rome.

How cool is this bus? Windows galore!

Perugia is very nearly at the exact center of Italy. It is the capital of the Umbria region, known as the "Green Heart of Italy."  It has a number of universities and a vibrant arts scene. A number of Renaissance painters produced work in Perugia.

Perugia is on a hilltop in the center of the photo. (Internet)

Perugia has become famous for chocolate, mostly because of a single firm, Perugina, whose Baci ("kisses") are widely exported. Perugian chocolate is very popular in Italy, and the city hosts a chocolate festival every October. (Let's hope the Singers taste these "kisses" and report back on how well they stand up to our own local confection of the same name.) The suburbs host a large number of small business enterprises.

A famous town square with its fountain. No trees! (Internet)

Lee Gayman writes from Perugia: 
"The trip over was rather long, but uneventful. We arrived at the hotel a couple of hours late, tired, but so pleased to be in Perugia. The hotel is definitely 4 stars plus and breakfast (en hotel) fantastic. We are three escalator rides below the city proper and the history (and photo-ops) are phenomenal. I'm sending you some photos to add to the blog should you see fit to do so. Tonight will be our first concert in Assisi. The weather is hot, but hey, we're on vacation!"

Here are Lee's pictures.

"The Sangallo Palace Hotel in Perugia, Italy  Not too great from the outside, very nice (and cool) inside!" (LG)

"This is Tony Ciucci returning to the hotel after a morning of exploring Perugia." (LG)

"Molly, Cindy and Karen just returning to the hotel lobby. What have they been drinking?! We're a very serious bunch of choral singers!" (LG)

After a day of sightseeing in Perugia, the group will journey to Assisi for their European debut concert. Can you imagine how excited they are?  They will sing tonight at 9:00 p.m. in the world famous Basilica of St. Francis.

Basilica Superiore di San Francesco, Assisi, site of concert. (Internet)

The Papal Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi  is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Franciscan Order—in Assisi, Italy, the city where St. Francis was born and died. The basilica is one of the most important places of Christian pilgrimage in Italy. With its accompanying friary, the basilica is a distinctive landmark to those approaching Assisi. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.

The basilica, which was begun in 1228, is built into the side of a hill and comprises two churches known as the Upper Church and the Lower Church, and a crypt where the remains of the saint are interred. The interior of the Upper Church is an important early example of the Gothic style in Italy. The Upper and Lower Churches are decorated with frescoes by numerous late medieval painters from the Roman and Tuscan schools. The range and quality of the works gives the basilica a unique importance in demonstrating the development of Italian art of this period.

Greg Gable writes:
"This is where we will sing tonight. Sandy and I were there over the past weekend. We will be sending other images from Assisi  also, and then from other locales."

St. Francis Basilica on Sunday morning. (GG)

St. Francis Basilica at sundown. (GG)

Street scene in Assisi (GG)

We look forward to more photos, posts, and comments -- and a full report on the concert! -- from the Singers in the days ahead. Thanks to Wilmer, Lee, and Greg for their contributions to today's blog entry.