Greetings from Italy

Hi to everyone.....

I have been away from internet access since last Sunday. All is well. I arrive in the Cinque Terre area of the Italian coast on Saturday afternoon. I was there until Wednesday morning. This area is a collection of five small towns built literally on the moutainside coast of Northern Italy. On Sunday, I did a boat trip of all the cities...on Monday, I hiked the distance from city to city. It took me five hours. The views are awesome, the trail is not too easy...at least at times! Once again, I kept saying to myself....others have done this, I can do it! It was a great experience. Afterwards, I threw away my hiking shorts and sent my hiking shoes back to Indiana [the postage cost nearly as much as the shoes]!

On Wednesday, I drove to Parma, Italy. It is the famous place for their cheese and ham. I visited and stayed with a family that lived close to the old city. Because of driving laws, only those who live in the 'old city' can drive in the 'old city.' So, to see the city we had to either walk....or bike. The bike I used is the one I am posting. Nice model, don't you say?! I have a great bike back at St. Jude....which I have not ridden except around the property...and here I am riding this through the busy streets of Parma! For those who remember the Laugh In days, I was a picture to behold! Watching out for buses, taxis, cars, other bikes and not trying to run over people walking before me, I made it out alive! It was a good time. The Churches are awesome...the artwork beyond imagination. And the food.....!

Today, Thursday, I drove to a town close to the Milan Airport. Tomorrow, I will fly to Greece to begin my tour of the footsteps of St. Paul...to all the places he visited. I cannot wait....

As always, you are in my prayers and remembered in a special way at my daily Mass.

Peace,

Fr. Steve