I told you the blogging from yours truly would be light, and I dont like to disappoint. The hotel that had an "International Business Center" was more like an International Janitors closet, complete with a wire hanging from the ceiling where you plug it in. Suffice to say that the writing conditions have not been ideal from a technological standpoint.

Also, I must tell you that at first I thought I would want to share and write about all of the amazing places I am going to so you could feel like you were going along with me, and I do, but I need more time to give it justice. So many of the things I have seen and heard are ineffable, a fancy word for things that can not be explained by words. I promise to do my best though.

As you can tell, I found an internet cafe. I am in the middle of a beautiful place, San Giovanni Rotundo. Last night I walked in the feast of Padre Pio, a beloved saint. I was one of about 60,000. People from all over the world, Africa, Europe, America, even South Philly. Most were Christians, but there were nonbelievers and many from other faiths as well - people who wanted to share in a fun and festive night, capped off with fireworks.

In fact, the internet cafe I am in right now is owned by a Bangladeshi man who is a devout Muslim who reads the Koran daily. When I asked him why he was at the Festival last night he told me, "because I love Padre Pio and I believe in him" I then followed up with what I thought was an obvious question, "don't you see a conflict between being a practicing Muslim and believing in Padre Pio?" He looked at me with a bewildered look and said Perque? "Why? But everyone who sees Padre Pio believes in Padre Pio and everyone who comes here knows that he performs miracles, during his life yes, but also now in death."