Bob’s Sabbatical
October 23, 2009
We woke
to rain again this morning, but decide to go to Assisi anyway. We had a beautiful ride through the
mountains, especially when the rain would let up so we could see the fields and
farms below. 
through town one way, then back through the other way before finally finding a
parking lot. There is still a pretty
good walk before we get to Piazza San Francesco. We arrive looking down at the entrance to the
Upper church and the rose window of the Basilica di San Francesco. 
begun in 1228.
The
painting, windows and style of the Upper Church is unbelievable. But then we went below to the Lower Church,
where the paintings seem even more complex and the colors are richer and
deeper. Finally, we make the trek below
to the Tomb of St. Francis. For someone who led such an austere life, this
Church is quite a tribute to his influence.
We exit
the Church, and find that the rain has started again, so we duck into a little
place for some lunch. After lunch, we
wander around the streets for awhile, but it is clear that the rain will
continue, so we head back to the car.
Before
leaving, we want to go up to the top of the mountain to see Eremo della
Carceri, a former Etruscan Prison where Francis would go to pray, according to
Alex Wilkerson, who loves the place. It
is now a Franciscan Monastery and Retreat House. It is still raining, and looks like a good
walk from the gate, so we do not go inside –
cannot even get a good picture of the Gate for Alex because it is so
cloudy and we are so high in the clouds.
We
return to L Terre de Verde, and decide to just stay here for dinner (it is
still raining). The food was good, and
the price was good the other night.
Tomorrow we head for Tuscany, where we will spend six nights in the same
place – a record for continuity on our trip – one we are looking forward to,
for sure.
Peace,
Bob
THANKS FOR TRYING!!!
ReplyDeleteJust so sorry for so much rain. Blocking out the tourists, for me it was such a wonderful place to wander around and the trails around Eremo dell Carceri so peaceful. But you have already had so many little hill towns. At least you got to the Basilica. I have been told St. Francis is the most well know of the saints and his life the least followed.
Now just enjoy 6 nights in one place one day at a time doing what you want when you want...and if it rains, hopefully just curling up by the fireplace.
And if you don't blog, we'll know why.
Hey, guess what it's doing today in Franklin, Tennessee--RAINING.
ReplyDeleteI can feel the weariness of suitcase living in your recent letters. Six days of just already knowing how the shower works will be reward enough, won't it. I wish you the blessings of feeling the sun even if it's above the clouds--maybe in the wine at dinner, maybe in a walk in the rain under the same umbrella, maybe just hearing no bad news.