Not every building Is a religious structure. Here are a few more photos of other buildings that struck me. In Pavia as in Sam Gimignano, there are extremely tall towers. In the Middle Ages and later, families used these to project wealth and status. These towers also provided protection, even protection from their neighbors. So …
Continue reading 561. Buildings, Piazzas, and Deserted Farms
I’m anxious. I’ve thought about the next day for months. Samwillie, my BnB host’s son, makes the phone call. “Si, si, 10 AM.” Contact with the legend! He agrees. Tomorrow, I’ll be able to cross the Po River in Danielo Parisi’s boat. Danielo has been transporting pilgrims across the Po River since 1998. While the …
Two from the USA Pilgrims. Moving. To a Destination. We are a motley group of individuals. In almost three weeks, I’ve met approximately 25 folk. Our ages have varied. One couple is in their 30’s, four or five in their 50’s, most in their 60’s, with several of us in our 70’s. While our ages …
Paolo morning coffee We often are silenced by those unmatchable acts of kindness. A person donating a kidney to a stranger. A person anonymously giving to a college so that kids who could never afford to attend, can attend. A physician voluntarily spending weeks in Jamaica or Honduras year after year. Yet, not all acts …
Pavia bridge duomo washing woman I love Pavia. Besides the impressive churches, there is so much more to Pavia. Before I crossed the Ticino River on a covered bridge into Pavia, I simply had to admire the view. I could tell that I'm going to enjoy my first rest day since Milan. Pavia demonstration Pavia …
I’m no architect or sculpture; however, I do find features of northern Italian religious buildings fascinating, intriguing, beautiful, and historically important. I've collected some photos of Ivrea, Pavia, Piacenza, and Fidenza. The very plain looking Church of San Pietro in Pavia is such a church as the church is the burial place for St. Ambrose …
No way! I’m not walking 18 miles. I don’t care if it is perfect walking weather, sunny and low 60’s. I googled RometoRio, one of my go-to sites for alternative traveling. No buses, but hourly trains from Santhià to Vercelli. I got to walk though. The weather is perfect. “Can I train partway and walk …
Walking the Via Francigena, I realize that there are three components, at least, of my being a pilgrim. I, the pilgrim, am moving to a destination. I the pilgrim. Movement. Destination. Regarding destination, I, like others on the Via Francigena, hope to make it to Rome. It is our ultimate goal. I guess that I’m …
There is a truism of long-distance walking. The first week, one gets to know one’s body; the second week, one gets to know one’s mind and emotions; the third week, one gets to know one’s spirit. As I near moving into my second week, this truism may or may not fit me completely. Because of …
Who is this Guy. First Morning Okay, I’ll keep this short. I’ll have to figure how to insert photos at the appropriate spot later 1) My first complete day of hiking, ten miles in five hours. No speed record here. 2) My first day of sunny, wonderful weather, albeit my weather app said there were …
Journeys: Explorations in Body, Mind, and Spirit 