Monday and Tuesday

We are settling into our hotel and preparing to eat our first Italian dinner in Assisi. For the first time in about 36 hours, we've had the chance to shower and change clothes. What a busy two days we've had! It's 6:30 PM here, which makes it only around noon at home. There's a six hour time difference. I'm exhausted!

We met up with our group in Louisville for our flight to Atlanta. From there we boarded our plane for a nine hour flight to Rome. We were given a wonderful menu in Italian for dinner - it turned out to be chicken or pasta. Everything sounds better in another language!

When we arrived in Rome, I was very disappointed to discover that the Rome airport is not actually in the city of Rome. It was more like landing in a cornfield. Parts of Italy look just like home - the leaves are changing colors for the fall. Then, just when you think things aren't that different, up pops a castle or crumbling villa or vineyard. Then we know we're not in Indiana anymore!

We hopped on a bus to Orvieto immediately after leaving the airport. The city is way up on a hill, and the roads are so old that no busses are allowed. We had to take a little train to the top, and then another shuttle.

It was worth it - we visited the Chapel of the Corporal, which is inside the most beautiful church I've ever seen. Here are a few pictures:

After having Mass, we had lunch at a pizzaria. From there we left and headed to Assisi. One interesting landmark was a McDonald's! We are settled in for the evening at our hotel and headed to dinner now - have a great afternoon!