While Kevin is in Guatemala studying Spanish, I find myself in a small Italian town called San Giovanni Rotondo: population around 27,000; not a soul speaks English.
I'm living with an wonderful Italian family [Pictured above... photo is from when Kevin and I and a mutual seminarian friend made a weekend trip in May]. Again, no one speaks English so the experience is strengthening my Italian a quick pace.
San Giovanni Rotondo is the town where St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) lived, died, and was buried. One can visit the old church were he celebrated Mass, a bigger church he commissioned (above-right), the hospital he founded (above-left), and a huge new basilica where he is buried. There is a great devotion to Padre Pio among the people. Many of the more elderly folks have vivid memories of Padre Pio's life and have many stories to share.
The town still has a friendly small town feel -- despite the daily influx of pilgrms -- since the basilica is located up the mountain, far enough away from the center of town. Every night during the summertime, nearly the whole town goes out for a stroll up and down the small historic road in the center of town. Young families with babies, elderly folks, teenagers, young adults... it's what everybody does to enjoy each others company and the cooler evening temperature.
All the food is fresh and local. The buffalo make the best mozzarella cheese I've ever had. The countryside is gorgeous. The people a very generous and hospitable. All this is icing on the cake, however. The experience of learning amount a completely different way of life from what I've always known back in Phoenix is truly priceless. It definitely not easy. It demands a lot of patience and humility. Two virtues I can never have enough of.
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