Assisi

I left Vallechiarra before light on Saturday. I almost stayed through the weekend but decided I really really wanted to visit Assisi. Assisi was really good of a different way. I was very alone for these two days in Assisi. There were hords of tourists though and several huge groups from Korea and the USA. They were all on expensive tour type trips. I can see the value in those now!

I had rained the whole time I was at Vallechiara and I had a break from rain at Assisi. I walked around this city on a hill surrounded by a wall for most of the day. I saw the church of Saint Francis and Saint Clare. It was odd to me however. The churches were built after their deaths as a place of rememberence. AH, ha, no wonder there are so many churches in Europe. If a church is built not for a space to worship in but a place dedicated to a Saint's veneration then in a place like Europe there will be a ton of churches. People do worship in the churches in Assisi but it does not seem like many people. The fresco paintings were outstanding. THe art I have seen has been great. I just love how the stories of the gospels and even the stories of the lives of the saints are portrayed on the walls of the churches. Just by looking at the art you learn. Art definately has a way of directing the heart towards God and prayer. I understand icons better than ever as I have visited these amazing churches. It really is not the worhip of a graven image it is a directional piece for the heart.

I stayed at the hotel. AH, a hotel. However, it was like staying in a dorm at about 11pm. There was a large group of American college students visiting. They are all doing a semester in Rome and had a weekend trip to Assisi. They were so loud and partying or on their way to a party. They were incredibly rude too. It was one of those moments where I was ashamemed of being American. They were just trying to have some fun yet they had no concept of the other guests who paid good money for a night of rest. (that being me) Good thing I had ear plugs! After putting in the ear plugs I had a great night of sleep.

Today I got up at 10am. I could have slept the rest of the day. I left the hotel and walked 4.5 km up hill to a place where St. Francis used to go and pray. It was a tough walk with all my stuff with me and I was so overdressed. I de-layered and took my time. I was worried at times I was going the wrong way. How awful it would be to be going the wrong way up hill...especially when it was for 4.5 km. But I was going the right way. I walked up overlooking the valley. I heard birds chirping. It was so good to be in the countryside and on my own left to my own thoughts. I really enjoyed the walk. Then I finally got to the destination. I got to see some places where Francis of Assisi prayed and where they think he might have written his famous canticle -- Brother Sun and Sister Moon. Ha. Visiting that place made me understand Francis of Assisi a little better. He is called the patron saint of animals I hear. (thanks Dad) In the setting of Assisi when a person has heart for God the beauty of the surroundings and the sounds too definately would make people a lover of life in general. Beautiful.

I took the earlier train back to Rome today. I leave for Palermo in the morning. I look forward to staying in one place for a few days. The trip is coming to the end which is ok with me. I will enjoy time with a friend and then a few days in Paris and I think I will be so ready to return to Korea. Wow. I look forward to getting into a routine.