Day 12

Day 12 (Last Day in Tuscany)

9-11:30 a.m.

Breakfast at the hotel, we then board the buses for Lago Trasimeno (Lake Transimene)

11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

We took a morning cruise around the Lake! Our guide told us a lot about the history of the area. This place is famous as a battleground in the classical world. Hannibal and his forces decisively beat a Roman army along it shores.Here is a video that sums up the battle pretty well; the only additional information you need to know is that the Carthaginians executed their plan perfectly, driving the Roman army into the lake's icy waters...

On a more light-hearted note, one of the islands in the middle of the lake, Saint Francis underwent a period of fasting and prayer for an extended amount of time.

The lake's name comes from legend. An Etruscan prince named Trasimeno was put in charge of the area by his father, and it was known that he loved wandering the shores of the lake. However, while walking along the shore one day, he met a water nymph and fell madly in love.  The feeling was mutual, but the nymph realized she could not live with him out of water. So, she dragged him into the water and he was never seen again. The Etruscan king named the lake in memory of his lost son.

2:30-7 p.m.

We ate another 5 course Tuscan meal for lunch over looking the lake. Then, we loaded up on the buses and drove the 3 hour drive back to Roma!

7 p.m. - 12 a.m.

We ate dinner at Mensa, then we did homework and went to bed. It was a very busy weekend, but also extremely fun!

Quote of the Day
"Good thing tomorrow is Monday. I love Mondays, we don't do anything."(Me to Jordan on Sunday night; we only have one class at 2:00 on Mondays.)

Italian Culture
They take their history very seriously. They are still sensitive about the Roman loss at Lake Trasimeno. For example, no one is allowed to go look for old Roman gear with a metal detector around the lake.