The Most Beautiful Place on Earth: Assisi

That’s right, Assisi is BEAUTIFUL! Rebecca and I arrived here yesterday afternoon extremely exhausted but content nonetheless. We are staying in a Guest House run by American sisters called the Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement (which means they speak English: bonus!) Our room features a bathroom / shower that rates a full 15 out of 15, featuring a shower with doors, a hairdryer and a shelf to put our stuff on. When we arrived and began to explore our room I started to say that just once, somewhere between here and home, I wanted to have a second pillow. Before I could get the word “pillow” out of my mouth, however, I opened the closest to find a second pillow waiting for me. I let out a scream, causing Becca to think I saw a mouse and to scream as well. Our temporary home only got better when we discovered the gardens, the breathtaking view, and the not-too-hot chapel. The icing on the cake was breakfast this morning: joyful service by the sisters and YOUGURT! This FREE breakfast wasn’t just a bun and Nutella, it had juice, cereal, 3 different buns, toast, coffee and yogurt. I was wiped yesterday and completely crashed at 8:30 – sleeping like a baby on my firm mattress and soft pillow. . Oh the small joys in life!

Anyway, enough about our beautiful accommodations (did I mention it’s only costing us 30E per night??), Assisi itself is incredible. It is built along the side of a mountain, which makes for difficult walks but breathtaking views. Some of the architecture here dates back to the first Century and there are endless little stairways, alleys and piazzas. The highlight for me, besides the scenery, was mass this morning at San Domiano Church. This is the Church St. Francis of Assisi built after God asked him to “rebuild His Church” (which he took literally, actually re-building the building where he was praying at the time: an old church that was in ruins!) Today also happens to be the feast of St. Clare of Assisi so there are Franciscans ALL OVER the place, and there was a huge procession through the city this morning to the Cathedral of St. Clare. We also visited the Cathedral of St. Rufino (Patron of the Town of Assisi, we think, whose feast day happens to be tomorrow) and the Basilica of St. Francis which houses his tomb.

Tomorrow morning we leave for Florence for the day, and then we will spend the night in Pisa. Thursday it’s off to Torino for 2 days. We spent a LOT of time here resting and planning for the rest of our trip. We still don’t have too many concrete plans made beyond Turin, but it looks like it’s starting to come together now. I’m very excited to see what else God has in store for me in the 11 days to come!

PS As I was waiting for my pictures to upload Rebecca and I heard bells going (AGAIN) outside the cafe. I commented that it sounded like every Church in the city was ringing it's bells and wondered how people ever sleep here. About a miunute later Becca asked "are those drums? Is there a band?!" She went to the entrace to have a look and exclaimed "Kathryn come quick!" There was a huge procession going on from the Basilica of St Rufino to the Basilica of Santa Chiara (St Clare)... who's feast day it is today. AND WE MISSED IT BECASUE WE WERE ON THE INTERNET! We didnt know it would be happening - too bad! She got some pictures, and a video though....

Photos: Me in front of the Basilica of St. Fransesco (St Fransis of Assisi); Becca and I outside San Domino