Assisi was a truly magical, inspiring, and mystical place. The town was beautiful and quaint, full of winding alleys, with flower boxes brightening each nook and cranny. Our tour of St. Francis's Basilica was led by a friar from Philadelphia and was truly inspiring for each of us in its own way. The lower church, which was designed to be a humble, contemplative sanctuary was just that - if not so much more and we all breathlessly stood at the altar where St. Francis's bones rest fifteen feet beneath us and admired the dark, mysterious, but spiritual paintings of the Romanesque vaulted church. The upper church, whose altar also aligned with St. Francis's resting place was true to Gothic architecture - more open, bright, and full of hope and optimism. We learned more about St. Francis's life as Michael, our friar, explained the meanings behind the early Renaissance frescoes that were just beginning to incorporate elements of dimension and perspective. And then there was the view - which was astounding as we left the Basilica refreshed and inspired in our own ways to suddenly look out over green pastures and sleepy blue mountains, each personally vowing to be better to each other and to take better care of all of God's creatures.
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We ended our day with our arrival in Rome - we ate at a yummy restaurant, settled into our hotel, and checked out the neighboring town before all heading to bed before our crazy, crazy Rome day!
