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Day 42 (7/16/11):
I couldn't buy my train tickets to Assisi online, so I knew it was a little risky going to the train station in the morning and hoping to get on the train I wanted (silly transportation issues... they cause so many problems!). I figured getting there an hour in advance would be enough time, though. Apparently, that's not the case, and I couldn't get on a train until 11:28 a.m.! It's not a bad time, but considering I got up at 7:30 a.m. to get there, it didn't feel too good.
Eventually my train came and I found it without a problem - woo hoo! The ride went smoothly, even with a train transfer at the Foligno stop, and I arrived at Assisi around 2:00 p.m. I took the shuttle up to the top of the city, and walked down from there. I had read that it's a nicer day if you're walking downhill to get everywhere, rather than walking uphill - makes sense to me!
My first stop once off the shuttle was the Tunnel Romano, which lead from Piazzale Matteotti to the San Ruffino church. There were some beautiful views of the valley and other parts of the tiny town from up there. The church was small, but had a lot of history to it. It was all set up for a wedding too - how wonderful to be able to get married somewhere with so much history to it.
I eventually left this church, and followed the decline to the town center. I recognized it from the large round fountain on the side. There is also a pulpit where San Bernardino of Siena would give his sermons, and the church of Santa Maria Minerva, which is surprisingly small inside for how big it looks from the front. There was a flutist sitting in front of this church playing a song on his flute, which added a lot to the atmosphere. It was really great to be there for that.
From there I walked down a small side street to Chiesa Nuova. There is a very, very small room inside the church where Saint Francis' father locked him up when he announced to his family that he wanted to live a life of poverty. It was really interesting to see. Outside the church is another small building that used to be a part of Saint Francis' house, where he grew up.
On my walk through the town I stopped into some of the shops, and also got myself a giant pastry from a pasticceria called "La Bottega Del Pasticcere". It was tasty, but far too big for me to finish!
All of a sudden, I found myself at the bottom of the hill and saw the front of St. Francis' Basilica! I can't believe how small the town is, and how large the basilica is!! Wow! Unfortunately, I didn't have much time before I needed to get down to the train station, so I couldn't linger for too long in each section of the church. The part that really struck me in the upper chapel was the color in the paintings. The ceiling had several panels painted blue with gold stars, and the color was just SO bright and vibrant! It was really gorgeous. The lower chapel also has such amazing detail in every part of it, and was really beautiful to look at. I also went downstairs to the crypt, which was really moving. The altar with Saint Francis' tomb was a caged in area of stone, but inside the cage were placed several snapshots of people. Some people were leaning against the cage saying prayers, and I saw someone add a picture to the growing collection inside. It was so moving to watch them. I wish I knew why the pictures were there… I'm so curious!
I had to leave, which was a bummer, but I did make it back to my train on time! I was exhausted when I returned to Rome, but also very hungry so I went across the street from my apartment to "Pizzeria Napoli" for a quick pasta dinner while I caught up on my journal a little.
- comments
Auntie Rosanne, I hope you can print your commentaries about each area you visited...along with the pictures. It would make a best seller. Of course I have enjoyed all your shared experiences. It has been wonderful. Thank you!!! xoxoxoxo Zia