Pilgrimage to Assisi

Arrival in Italy

debraocn — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 06:04:00 GMT

I can hardlybelieve thatIhave been here a week. <my last post from the internet cafe near the <hotel antonelli did not make it online for some reason and i am having trouble with the keyboard here. it is late at night after a most incredible day. let me tell you that there is snow on the hills here in Assisi and it is very cold and raining tonight. <last night it snowed in la verna. we were there the day before. we froze in florence yesterday as it was very windy and the cold just went right through you. i will have to fill in this journal from rome,if they have better internet cafes or else when i get back. we leave for rome tomorrow afternoon with a couple of stops along the way. today we had lunch with the rena cavata friars way up in the mountains of the marches, then prayer, snack and some fun time with the san severino poor clares. it was raining and cold and we were afraid the road would ice over so we left there before dinner. took a while to get home as we went very slowly around the hairpin turns int he mountains.

i am very frustrated with this keyboard so will sign off fornow.

Assisi and La Verna

debraocn — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 03:05:00 GMT

<our journey started with very long lines at SFO. We were pulled out as a group to make it faster but then the printer at our station broke and it took more than an hour to get our boarding passes. Then on to the line at security, which was like a line for the best ride at disneyland. Long and winding, but moving quickly. We had a 747 but there was very little leg room per person. Three seats on each side and five in the middle. The flight crew was great and all alcoholic beverages were FREE!!! When we arrived in Amsterdam we had to hike from terminal F to terminal D and we had to go through customs. Out of the group I was hiking with, I was the only one to be pulled out and searched very indelicately while everyone watched. There was a sign that you could request a private room for the search, but they grabbed you and starting patting you down so quickly, there was no time to react or even to remember the sign. This woman was inside my pants looking for things. She found my mediport and my prosthetic boob and asked me about both. After I explained those two things, she lightened up a bit. I have no idea what set off the alarm, but I hope I never have to go through that again.

Our flight to Rome was delayed about 45 minutes and then delayed again when 4 people who checked in did not show up. They offloaded all of the luggage searching for any luggage belonging to those 4 people. Then - finally, we could leave. I slept some on this flight.

We did not have to clear customs in Rome and Bret met us at the baggage claim. This was when I finally changed the time on my watch. Counting the change in time zone it took us 26 hours to get to Rome from the time we took off in San Francisco.

Everyone has been super helpful and they are looking out for me. I, in turn, am worried about Colleen's knees, Vince's tremor, and Father John. <i think we are all exhausted, but physically okay.

We are at the <hotel antonelli which is directly across the street from the cathedral of st mary of the angels. we took the city bus to the basilica of st francis on the first day and had mass by fr.john and fr. joseph in the crypt chapel where francis is buried. it was a very inspirational mass and a great way to start our pilgrimage. because the plane into Rome was so late, we were all exhausted and we had missed dinner at the hotel. So we got a light meal on the way from Rome to Assisi and then everyone pretty much went straight to sleep the first night.

<i will try to post again tojorrow. i'v been online for an hour, checking for any urgent emails, trying to figure out how to use the different keyboard, and reading josh's blog postings from the last week. i need to get back to the hotel for dinner and our evening sharing session. <just wanted you all to know that i am safe and sound in italy and having a great time.

by the way, the value of the dollar sucks!!! <i got £140 for my $200 the first day. i'm trying to make that last as long as possible.

albert i get into sfo at 1305 on oct 26 on klm flight 0005.

Debra

Getting Ready - or Panic Time

debraocn — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 00:05:00 GMT

I leave for Italy on Monday morning and I am not ready. Came back from Atlanta on Friday, then went off to lecture in San Francisco Saturday. Had to catch up and prep for Quality Council and my 4 month check up on Tuesday, but ended up sleeping all day Sunday and part of Monday. Worked through the mail from the past week Monday afternoon and then worked on Tuesday and Wednesday and prepped for the first Chemo Quality Council meeting on Thursday. Still have reports to get done for work before I leave, have to pack and get to the bank. My computer is being picked up today and will be rebuilt and upgraded while I am gone. I am hoping my meds come from Canada before I leave. In case they don't, I have been rationing that prescription and taking it only when I really need it. I want to pack on Sunday and then take half the stuff out Monday morning. We are not supposed to check any baggage in case it gets lost. Patrice is going to take me to the bus so I can leave my car at home. I am excited about going, nervous about my physical ability to keep up with the group and about being ready on time, and overwhelmed with all I need to do before I leave. I am working the night shift tonight and tomorrow and again when I get back.