7/21 We left Rome behind this morning, traveling south by train for three hours to Foggia, and then after a bit of local lunch, onward by bus , to San Giovanni Rotundo - a pilgrimage site made famous by the work of Padre Pio - a monk who was inspired by his own afflictions, which included the stigmata - to help alleviate the suffering of others by establishing a medical complex in this small mountain village.
An afternoon siesta helped us catch up on our last three sleep deprived days in Rome, and then we were out, walking towns narrow streets - curious what wonders a small town miles from the bustle and historic wonders of Rome might have to offer. What we found were hundreds of people strolling the streets and parkway in the early evening, greeting each other and the old men occupying the benches that lined the walkways who were likewise occupied in animated conversations we could only guess the meaning of. It almost seemed as if the entire town were out - enjoying the cool evening and reasserting their membership in this highland community. We joined them, strolling, until hunger finally forced us to seek refreshment in a small pizzeria where Lyn once again unintentionally fooled the locals into thinking she was fluent in Italian!
Then it was back to our hotel for a relatively early bedtime - something we haven't had since striving….
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