17th March
I reached Cortona yesterday after a fairly short trip from Assisi- train to Terontola and then bus.
I had e-mailed Sergio at San Marco Youth Hostel a few weeks ago and booked for 3 nights. But Sergio had a full house when I arrived.
Fortunately his off-sider was able to drive me around to a few convents and we found one which could accommodate me. I have a very simple room with attached bathroom. It's a bit more expensive than the hostel but worth it to have my own room. From the window I can see the rooftops of Cortona and the valley below. I can also watch Italian TV if I want to. The nuns don't speak English, so it's a bit different to the friendly atmosphere created by the American nuns in Assisi. There are 2 young Romanian girls staying, I think they work for the nuns and apart from them I haven't seen any other lay people.
I have been walking all day today. I got lost, found myself above the tree line, chanced upon some men who took me in their truck to where I had meant to go in the first place. I finally made it to anoher Francis holy place, Le Celle, one of the many places in the area which he stayed. The monastery was built shortly after his death in his honour and has been run by the Cappuchin monks for the last few hundred years. A very awe-inspiring place.
The weather remains idyllic.
Having already lost this e-mail once I won't tempt fate.
I think I will sleep well tonight.
Gerri
I reached Cortona yesterday after a fairly short trip from Assisi- train to Terontola and then bus.
I had e-mailed Sergio at San Marco Youth Hostel a few weeks ago and booked for 3 nights. But Sergio had a full house when I arrived.
Fortunately his off-sider was able to drive me around to a few convents and we found one which could accommodate me. I have a very simple room with attached bathroom. It's a bit more expensive than the hostel but worth it to have my own room. From the window I can see the rooftops of Cortona and the valley below. I can also watch Italian TV if I want to. The nuns don't speak English, so it's a bit different to the friendly atmosphere created by the American nuns in Assisi. There are 2 young Romanian girls staying, I think they work for the nuns and apart from them I haven't seen any other lay people.
I have been walking all day today. I got lost, found myself above the tree line, chanced upon some men who took me in their truck to where I had meant to go in the first place. I finally made it to anoher Francis holy place, Le Celle, one of the many places in the area which he stayed. The monastery was built shortly after his death in his honour and has been run by the Cappuchin monks for the last few hundred years. A very awe-inspiring place.
The weather remains idyllic.
Having already lost this e-mail once I won't tempt fate.
I think I will sleep well tonight.
Gerri
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