Abbey Mt. Oliveto Maggiori is a Benedictine monastery with a long, long history. As I mentioned in the previous post, the cloister walls depict scenes from the life of St. Benedict. The abbey chapel has traditional art. However, more modern depictions both of Biblical scenes as the life of St. Benedict can be found there …
Author: sabbatical2017blog
221. Abbey Mt. Olivetti Maggori: Off Route
I arrive at Abbey Mt. Olivetti Maggori. Six miles from Asciano. A Benedictine monastery founded by Sienese nobleman turned monk Bernardo Tolomei in 1319. I am here to rest and reflect on my pilgrimage. Although I have stayed at several monasteries, I am disoriented at first. I am aware that there is a restaurant close …
220. Water, a Walking Necessity
I need water as I walk. My skin, muscles, heart, and my plumbing system simply will not work without water. Isn’t our body composed of 60% water? At home, I take water for granted. If thirsty, I pour myself some filtered water from the fridge. If the hydrangeas or native azaleas need water, I turn …
219. Siena Rest Day, more
Besides the Siena Duomo, I simply love visiting sites, wandering around the streets, eating delicious Tuscany food, watching a snare drum and flag waving procession of one of the Contrade’s (neighborhood association). The Piazza del Campo is the gathering point for Siena. Like a sea shell, the brick plaza dips toward the lowest end of …
218. Siena Rest Day
After the accumulated effects of walking, my body wants a rest. Siena is my designated rest space. In my opinion, I find Siena to be captivating. I still can picture walking down a stone street, looking out and up, and seeing the sloping, brick, shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and the slender, majestic tower of the …
217. Pilgrim’s Searching for More
She is in her early 50’s. She may be 5 feet tall; she may weigh 100 pounds. She declares “My pack weighs 5.8 kilograms; I can’t carry anymore.” There is a quiet, melancholy confidence to her. Similar to other chance meetings between pilgrims, a small group meet along the trail. We walk together and then …
216. Pilgrims’ Shame
Milano- Turin train and mts background During the first week of my walking the Via Francigena, two older women sensibly took trains to avoid the cold rain. Yet, they felt apologetic. They felt shame, not for a prior act before their pilgrimage, but for these actions during their pilgrimage. They had internalized a value judgment …
215. Revisiting Lucca
A refreshing, low-key rest day in Lucca. The desire for such a day is strong. Managing each day, finding the trail, staying on the trail, wondering if I’ll be able to take a break on a bench or stone wall, searching for an open bar or cafe for lunch, managing an entrance into town, locating …
214. The Feet’s Perspective, Part 2
The nights lodging at Berceto is refreshing. When I have these feet resting level with the brain, whether it is ten minutes or ten hours, I feel better. The rest and another breakfast with two yogurts, an orange, and coffee, get me ready. The brain upstairs has always liked Thich Naht Hanh’s quote “Walk as …
213. The Feet’s Perspective, Part One
It’s my turn. I get to describe the two days walking to and over the Apennines. I want to let you know what it is like being feet and carrying a 200 pound fellow to the Passo della Cisa. Before the first day begins, I hear concerned chattering up in the brain. Bardone to Berceto …
