Assisi - part 2

I thought I'd begin this entry with a cultural question: what is it with showers in Europe? In Caceres, in Madrid, in Rome and now in Assisi the showers are barely big enough to turn around in. And if there is a shower curtain it degenerates into a macabre dance of the seven veils. There is no way Psycho could have been filmed here (google it gen y). I was thinking about it the day when we were still in Madrid and I happened to be having a shower at the time and I had to step out of the shower to change my mind. Now at 163cm (save the short jokes peeps I've heard them all before) and 67kg, I can hardly be described as a big person and I have found the showers difficult to negotiate. Sympathy to those bigger than me ... and that's everyone. Lol. I got in first with the joke.

We had Mass scheduled for 8am so it was a reasonably early start again. Thankfully the hotel kitchen accommodated us an opened half an hour earlier than usual. Once again Mass was a special occasion. This time in a semi-underground Chapel at the Basilica of St. Francis (sorry about the misspelling of Basilica previously, if I can summon the energy I will return to earlier entries to correct it). Fr Suresh reminded us of the early Christians and the affinity we have with them through experiences such as this, although we have not had to make the sacrifices they did for their faith. It has been amazing traveling with our own spiritual coordinator, Mass was possible just about anytime.

I know I've talked about the history previously, but trying to put time into perspective has been challenging. The churches we visited today were all built in medieval times, around the year 1200+. The white history of Australia pales in comparison, although our indigenous history stretches back much further.

After Mass we went on a guided tour of the Basilica of St. Francis. The reliefs inside were mostly painted by Giotto and told the story of St. Francis. They were wonderful. Sadly, Fr. Luan left us at this point to return to Rome. For the remainder of the day we visited San Damiano and a Franciscan monastery and the fort above Assisi. I know these descriptions have become shorthand but, we are all suffering from Cathedral overload. Each one has been an awing experience and there is truly nothing to compare to in Australia and whatever words I have are inadequate to describe them.

Then lunch and our second only free afternoon in almost three weeks. Our group splintered into smaller groups and wandered the streets of Assisi searching for presents for our loved ones back home. As is usual for me, I went search of an extra suitcase in which to pack all my presents. It was a relaxing afternoon and we returned to the hotel for our last dinner together as a group.

Post dinner Fr. Suresh invited the group to attend a discussion on relationship. After the talk and the long day we had had, most of us retired reasonably early. Tomorrow will be generally spent making our way to the airport to commence the long journey home.