Canterbury to Rome to Assisi Days 87-90:
Feeling at peace 4 days onto Via Francesco. The vibes are different on this pilgrimage versus the Via Francigena. Perhaps it is the beautiful fall weather or how quiet it has been. Walking through Tuscany was beautiful but a bit crowded relatively. Somehow the gentle and kind ways of St. Francis seem to pervade in the people and the landscape. Beautiful.
Met my first fellow pilgrims, Michelle and Ronald from Holland coming the other direction. They started from home and are about 2400K into their journey.
My last 3 accommodations have been excellent. In Monterotondo I was welcomed at Santa Maria Maddalena Parish Hostel by sweet Antoinette as friendly as can be who also prepared a delicious 4 course supper just for this sole pilgrim.
Last night Christine of Ponticelli hosted me at her home where she has a beautiful small coach house I had to myself. She also prepared a delicious dinner that included her homemade white and rose wines.
Today I am at a municipal Casa del Pelligrino in Poggio San Lorenzo where Francesco also gave me a St. Francis token to hang on my backpack.
A kind woman with two small girls helped me out making a reservation for tomorrow night in Rieti.
Rome was spectacular of course but I am grateful to have the opportunity to continue to Assisi and enjoy the serene aura of Francis all along this most wonderful pilgrimage.
