Have you tried looking for a place at night, in rain? A friend that I made on Instagram recently reminded me of my first impression of Perugia.

Looking-in-Darkness-Perugia-Italy-Copyright-Jean-Huang-Photography

It doesn’t always happen. But it had to be this day, when we were driving into Perugia after sunset, where it’s not just any Medieval town that’s perched on top of a hill. It’s a city whose historical center is perched wayyyyy up on the hill and the parking lots are wayyyy down. So, the trick was to find Piazza Partigiani, park the car there and take the escalator straight up to our reserved hotel.

When we pulled into the parking lot, I went out to find the way to the hotel, without the hindrance of the luggage or the car. As the seemingly endless sections of escalator took me further and further away from the car and my Assistante, I started getting worried. When the bottom of the escalator was finally out of my sight, I was staring into the darkness of the night. There’s no immediate structure within a reasonable stone’s throw.

Luckily, a lady came up behind me, the only one person that I met since getting out of the car. I quickly grabbed the opportunity and blurbed the hotel name to her. She took my arm and gestured that I could walk with her. I felt relieved.

Five minutes later, we were still walking, in darkness. I wanted to tell her that I still have a companion waiting for me behind. But my translation skill was not up to par. I looked at her and she pulled me closer to her under the umbrella. I couldn’t do anything but following such a nice lady. The only thing that I was worried about was how I would track my way back. After what felt like a really long time, we arrived at a central bus station and she handed me to a gentleman that speaks good English. My search for the hotel continues……