You have to understand... Assisi is an Umbrian hillside town so to get there, the walk was uphill... the whole way... with 40 pounds (or more) on you back! Then, add the fact that the wind is howling, your nose is running out of control and it has started to snow. Halfway up the hill we located the hostel only to discover that it was full. By the time we’d found a suitable hotel within our budget, we had reached the highest point on the mountain, the sun had set, and we were freezing, exhausted and starving. If that’s not a pilgrimage, I don’t know what is!!

Visiting Assisi was something that Mark had wanted to do for some time. He had taken the name of St. Francis as his confirmation name and was curious about "Big Frank’s" hometown. And he’s not alone. Christians (primarily Catholics) come from far and wide to see the Basilica and other Christian relics of the city.

It really is a unique place... a sort of "Christian Disneyland" if you will. You wander around the "attractions" (a various assortment of churches, Christian museums, and Christian artifacts), take part in the "entertainment" (We enjoyed an evening mass said by the Bishop. It was all in Italian so we understood very little, but it was still the highlight of our stay!) and browse through the shops! (All full of Christian plaques, posters, music, rosary beads, etc. Some of the little "boutiques" are a bit tatty while others quite nice. The thing that got me was that they are all the same! You won’t find a GAP in Assisi... we were hard pressed to even find a grocery store!)

All in all, our 2 days in Umbria were some of the most relaxing we had while in Italy. From here, we will head into Tuscany to visit the beautiful city of Florence.

Next Entry: December 12, 2003