Perugia

Sunlit clouds in hues of vivid orange and gold hung above the forever moving shuttle bus. We had been driving on the frail, countryside soil road since dusk when the skies were scattered with glimmer, where the only light came from the crescent-shaped moon that cast a creamy white softness on the cold, navy blue sky. Now, it was sunrise. Rich, groomed hills of green and texture rolled like desert dunes in the gleaming sun, covered in luscious hues of

pastured green, beige, and red, glistening in the bright summer sun. Different hues gave shape to the vast and bucolic countryside, like an oil painting with vivid colors. The hills were smooth, ebbing and lulling, moving in motion like soft waves that gently rolled towards land.

At last, we approached the city. From afar, I could already sense the vivid liveliness of that city. On the left side of us, facades painted in muted tones of creamy beige, soft caramel, and mellow hues were sunlit in the golden veil of the sun. On the other side, a green sea with slow, lulling, mounding waves of greenery spread throughout the landscape. A bright hot globe of intense fire cozily lay in the rolling, textured mounds, but its bright beams of light

still penetrated the vivid expanse, including this city. Although I was tired and exhausted, the city instantly changed my emotions, along with the majestic countryside sun, I could not help but feel blithe. When we were further into the city, the atmosphere of excitement and activity was even more apparent. From the majestic concert halls of this city, melodies strummed by string, tunes played by a passerby, and of course, the great mixture of the textures of sounds played by an orchestra. We came here, on this bus, along with other musicians to play music. A music festival was taking place in this city, and already I could see that the festival had

started. I was also there to join the festival. It was a common tradition for my teacher to bring her students to this festival, to play in halls, to experience, and to learn. I played the piano, along with other students too, and throughout this intensive 2-week festival, was to learn from other teachers, play in front of audiences, and most importantly, to experience a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Throughout the weeks, I performed, engaged, and learned many unique and valuable lessons, both for music and also for experience. The week was truly incredible. I

experienced a new aspect of beauty, diversity, and a very unique atmosphere, formed by the amazing city, music, and vivid memories.