January 23, 2004

It has taken me over a week to begin to feel as if I am finding my way around. It is very different being here "trying to get something done" instead of simply being a tourist. The phones, the banks, the language become very difficult once one tries to do something more complex than order dinner!

My first challenge has been accommodations. I secured my apartment over the internet and while I tried to communicate "small, inexpensive, old part of the city," etc., I got new, huge, on a street that is being torn up to re-install power lines. Fortunately I met a wonderful woman named Anne Robichaud who is an American married to an Italian and living in Assisi since 1975. She is the supreme English speaking authority on this area and everyone and everything that goes on here. I am so fortunate to have found her!

With her help, yesterday I moved into the small apartment I dreamed of having when I thought about coming here. (Okay, it could have one more window, facing the view, but I have not a single complaint.) The apartment comes with an adorable couple and a wonderful cat--as neighbors. I have everything I want/need and more. Last night for the first time since I arrived I walked around the whole evening whistling, laughing, and singing. It's the first time I haven't felt as if all my energy needed to go to "getting by." This morning as I left my casetta I noticed a lot of white fluff floating around and wondered what kind of renovation resulted in that. The sun is shining brightly so it took me a while to realize it is snow!!! Too beautiful to describe. I am exceedingly grateful.

Anne invited me for lunch at her house, one of the best Italian meals I've ever eaten--and I've eaten some good ones. She specializes in simple, country food of the region and with her neighbor, a delightful woman who grew up very, very poor in this area, outdid herself putting on a local spread.   Anne's husband Pino is a contractor--very qualified to re-furbish an old hotel into a peace center, and he even offered.

It was Anne who suggested that one of the first people I should talk to in Assisi is Father Max. He is the founder of ecumenical dialog, first beginning to organize inter-faith conversations forty years ago! He has met with every religious leader in the world--there is even a local rumor that Yassar Arafat met with him secretly here in Assisi. A lovely man--truly everything one would hope a Franciscan Priest working for peace would be. Charming and willing to speak with me even though as he indicated, he has worn himself nearly to death working so hard for all these years. In fact he has been ordered to step down and a Father Adam, an American, will be taking his place. Father Max made it clear though that he is not giving up his work completely. I hope he lives forever!

He, as has everyone I've spoken with, mentioned the Ananda community that lives a few kilometers outside the city. They are the only non-Catholics anyone has ever heard of around here, and there is a mix of feelings about them. This of course is not particularly good news for a group of equally strange foreigners wanting to come in to do something odd! (Well, maybe not so odd: Even here I hear from people, "But what you want to do has already been done." Then of course they can't think of where or when or by whom. Ah well.)

Father Max suggested that as soon as we have concrete information together we meet with the local bishop. He was pretty clear that we should not expect a welcome, but I heard also from Sister Sue, a wonderful Franciscan Sister from Vancouver, Canada, that it would be very good for us to make every effort to introduce ourselves and to become a part of the community. I will, therefore, be participating in some of the evening prayer groups and generally becoming a familiar face.

Tomorrow, now that I am settled into my little casetta, I will search out the East/West retreat center folks and see what they have to say.

So, that's the news from here. I am glad I have come ahead to try to figure some of this out. I think I can guarantee a smoother trip for those of you who are planning a visit in the near future. I have often heard it said that "it's a who you know world," and I now surely understand the truth of that statement. Without the wonderful folks I've met here so far and the help they've given me I would still be trying to work the public phones! More soon.

Ciao

A PS from the Assisi team: You might want to check out Anne Robichaud's (mentioned above) website: www.annesitaly.com.

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