Day 8: Florence,Italy to Rome, Italy

Day 8:                        Florence, Italy to Rome, Italy                   6/25/14

Wake up call at 7:00, breakfast at 7:15, ready to go by 8:00 was how we started our day. Everyone got up in time and we did well. 

Before going, I went to the Tabac store and bought 3 postcard stamps to send to the U.S. I bought the stamps, mailed them and got back in time to get on the bus.

The bus ride was nice and quiet as we headed towards Assisi. We made it with no problems and were impressed with the wonderful views looking up at the mountain. 

The weather was cool and it looked like there would be a 50-50 chance of rain, but the wind blew the clouds away.

One of the views from Assisi

We got as far as we could with the bus and started walking up the rest of the way. We paused to look at the spectacular sites over the country side. We met at the front of the cathedral and broke for lunch and free time.

We went up the hill a little bit and ate at a restaurant. Half of us ate inside and the other half enjoyed the windy weather and ate outside. I had a panini with coke for 7 euros.

Gavin with a nice view of the countryside and olive trees

Becky with the basilica in the background

After eating, we walked back and looked around and went shopping. We arrived ready for our tour of the facilities.

The friar who gave us the tour was from Texas. He was there for the summer to help out and learn Italian. The four main languages of the Franciscan friars are Italian, English, Polish, and Spanish.

He started with the lower basilica, mentioning it was built in about 2 years. We went around the basement part and saw the tombs of St. Francis and four of his close allies.

Then we went upstairs to the new part of the basilica, which took about 11 years to build. The speed in which both basilicas was built was unheard of. In fact, the basilica is the only papal one that is outside Rome.

The new basilica had paintings on the walls that talked about the history of St. Francis.

·       As a young boy, his rich dad gave him the tools to become a knight during the crusades.

·       On his way to the fight, he had a vision from the Lord who said, “Do you want to serve the Master or the servant?” Francis turned around and went home.

·       He was stoned for coming home and not fighting. He shamed his father and family and the village.

·       The Lord gave him a vision to restore the church of Assisi. Francis sold all his materials as well as horse and stuff his father gave him to help him do it.

·       With the Pope’s favor, he started the Franciscan friars and rebuilt the church.

·       He passed away at 40 years of age. The reason for his death was inconclusive, but it was surmised he put his body through a lot of physical stuff between fasting and his work. He also had the full stigmata.

The basilica was noted for showing scenes that included ordinary people. Francis wanted to show how the good news was for humanity, not certain individuals. There were scenes of Assisi in the church to drive the point home.

We went back to the bus and took off for Rome. We got closer and discovered the computer route could not accommodate a bus because of low overpasses. We arrived at the Belvedere hotel in Mentana around 6:45. Everyone arrived at dinner at 7:30 and we had lasagna as starters, followed by bruschetta and salad. Dessert was cream brulee.

The meal was done by 8:15, which is probably very typical for a European meal.

We had the rest of the night free to rest before the last big day tomorrow in Rome. The schedule will be full as we plan to see the Vatican in the morning and a tour of Rome in the afternoon.