Sagra dei Funghi

Another weekend, another trip. This past one was a school sponsored trip to Cusano Mutri, a small, small town deep in the Apennines mountains, three hours outside of Roma, but well off the tourist map. We went during the town's famed mushroom festival. Despite my aversion towards organized travel, i chose the trip because it seemed like a real authentic experience i wasn't likely to find on my own. 

The weekend started out rough. The bus ride was long, windy, and nausea inducing. Finally, when we arrived at our little cabins on top of a mountain, it started raining. This rain would not stop till saturday night. It was also freezing, and i did not pack enough warm clothes at all. So the first night was kind of a bust--we went into the festival but not many people were around nor things open because of the freezing whether. The next day was bizarre and frustrating. For some unknown reason the directors of the trip decided to take us to a random trifecta of museums. First was a museum in town with the world's largest wooden spoon. Then a paleontology museum, and finally a crawfish lab. Don't ask. At this point everyone was a little annoyed and pissed off that they spent the money on the trip.

Then we got back to town saturday night and things went straight up 360 degrees. The festival was hopping, authentic, delicious, dancing in the streets fun. We spent the entire evening eating, dancing, and embaressingly attempting italian. I have never met more friednly and welcoming locals in my life. The town seriously loved us--they even played a Chicago song towards the end of the night. I have never eaten better than on this trip--delicious mushrooms, out of this world cheeses, and all kinds of desserts including the best crepe ive ever had. (with white nutella, baileys, and smarties). Towards the end of the night everyone took to the streets and danced away to what seemed like 15 different versions of the italian macarena. It was brilliant. 

We woke up sunday to a beautiful sunny sky (finally) and took an awesome hike before heading back to rome. More than anything the trip was a big bonding experience for the 23 of us who went. Ive solidified  some great friendships and am actually really enjoying the tight community that has formed living at the JFRC compound.