I was unsure what retirement life would look like, so I really just let it happen, I did not think that I would spend most of the first year traveling and have some really great trips, but you know me, have suitcase will travel.
Over a year ago, my older sister asked me if I wanted to take a trip with her church to Italy. While Italy is a big one on my bucket list, was just not too sure if I wanted to do a group trip with a bunch of Catholics. I was raised Catholic and it was without a doubt the most important thing in my parents’ life and thus my childhood was centered around the Catholic church. In my late 20’s, I left the Roman Catholic Church and discovered the Episcopal Church. It had all that I loved and knew from the Catholics and social justice policies that were more aligned with my own beliefs. I had already filled the roll of the Black sheep of the family (which was not a bad thing and something I embraced as being true to myself), but my dear mother always struggled with her belief that she had somehow failed with me since I had left the church. With both of my parents gone, connection to them in anyway is something I crave. After giving it some thought, I decided to go, but by then there was a waiting list and I was not sure I would get a spot. It worked out that I got a spot and thus the planning began. It would mean another trip that changed hotels most nights and had lots of time driving (this time on a bus). I do so enjoy cruise travel and unpacking once, but there are just some places that ships cannot take you to!
I did what I could to prepare for a 11-day trip to Italy for November of 2025. I stressed over my luggage as we were limited to one bag weighing 50 pounds and were told to plan on not being able to wash unless it was in the hotel’s bathroom sink. I planned and read and shopped, and shopped and ordered from Amazon. In the end more than a few of my new things did not make the final cut. I got my Euros and knew how to ask where the bathroom was. I had highlighted Rick Stevens travel guide on Italy, but, still was not sure where we were going to see, so just decided to let the trip happen.
We all met at DFW airport to begin our trip or as they called it the Pilgrimage. There were 44 of us, the vast majority were from Lubbock, Texas and went to the same church, but there were a few odd balls like me and my cousin from California, who got a last-minute spot to go. I have to say there was not a better group to be with, that this group. They were all so friendly and welcoming me with open arms. It was great to meet and get to know my sister’s friends and to make new ones for me. Most were a little old than me, but in the end, we were just a bunch old West Texans traveling to Italy.
We got to the airport (DFW) at 11:30 am on Monday and did not get to lay our heads down on a pillow till about 7 PM Tuesday, it was a long day, but there were no major incidents, and the travel was not as hard as I feared. We flew from Dallas to Paris direct, then had to run all over the Paris airport to get to our flight to Rome. The flight was already delayed which was good as it took us over 2 hours to get to our gate and go through all the hoops of customs, but we were off to Rome. When we landed we got on our bus and drove for 5 hours to Florence and a hot shower and bed!
We were up early for our day in Florence, with the big stop of the day was the Academia Museum to see David. It is breathtaking, so large and such details. The painting and other works of art were just wonderful. Of course, it was very crowded, but we had a good guide and they got us to all of the high spots. We had daily Mass each day and most of the time, it was in a fabulous place. In Florence it was at the Duomo Cathedral. We spent time in several of the plaza, Piazza Michelangelo and Ponte Vecchio were two of my personal favorites. We saw the home of the author of Pinocchio and views of the city. The Neptune Fountain and the Church of Santa Croce were also seen. We had time for shopping and lunch and dinner at great little outside café. I did manage to find a Italian Leather bag to buy !
The next morning, we were off to Assisi, to learn all about St. Francis of Assisi. We were so lucky that we had a hotel within the walls of Assisi for that night. It was very simple, but I loved it, along with the community dinner where we had dinner. Of course, our bus could not go into the village of Assisi, so we had to walk up to the village, but our luggage was taken, let me tell you it was worth every step and each stair I climbed! There is a small church within the Basilica of St. Francis, which is the church that he first started. There was so much to learn about the Franciscans and their way of life and traditions. Having been a social worker it was so fascinating to me to see how he reached out to help the poor. More to come next week.
