Is there no end to these weeds? That's what I thought on Thursday, because again we went up on the roof of the shop to do more chopping. This time Clara was more prepared and brought a saw with her, along with some scissors. Our main job today was to cut down this cactus tree we came across while cleaning weeds.
This thing had to have grown for years, because the base of it was huge and almost as thick as a small tree. We first had to find our way inside, taking into account all the possible thorns we would run into if we just ran in blindly. So Clara took one end and I took the other and we worked our way to the middle. And that is where I found it. Some people find out that they have a green thumb, but I found out today that I have a green heart. I found it perfectly lying in the middle of the huge tree. It was a surprise and of course had to take a photo of it. Clara asked if I would keep it, but in the end I knew it would only stick me and wither away, so I tossed it back into the pile.
While clearing away some more weeds, I noticed a set of stairs that were leading to this door in the distance. I asked Clara what the door led to, but she didn't know. I smell another possible adventure for yours truly; that's if I can manage to clear a path to the door. You should see the amount of weeds we have already cut down and we aren't even half way close to being done.
Today had to be the quickest and smoothest lunch I have ever had here at Sacro Speco. The main reason was because Don Carlo and Mattia were not present. They are usually the ones who have these long stories to share, holding us from finishing lunch and cleaning the dishes. Don't get me wrong, I sometimes enjoy listening to the stories, but other days I just want to go so I can either clean my room or sleep. Today was one of those days where I was just wiped and wanted to recharge as much as possible.
When Don Carlo is gone we begin to clean house. The first thing Don Luigi did was throw his little napkin into the fire, because it was dirty and had not been washed in so long. Don Carlo is very particular with things, so in order for them not to upset him, they wait until he takes a vacation somewhere and begin cleaning. He is very old school and has his own way of dong things.
I noticed the Abbot looking at me in a strange way today in the shop. Little did I know he was thinking about who I reminded him of. He asked who was the actor that I said looked like you before. I just lowered my head and said Eddie Murphy. Looks like not only has John come back to Sacro Speco, but also Eddie Murphy. Here we go again.
This Friday morning was a little unusual for me, considering I was the only one at morning prayer. I sat down and waited for the others to come, but no one showed up. I decided that I would do silent reading on my own and maybe someone would finally join me. Apparently I was not told that there would be no prayer this morning, considering Don Carlo was gone and Don Luigi was tired after picking Matt up from the airport. Yep folks, Matt is back. So now we are finally complete here at Sacro Speco and things have returned to normal, or as normal as things go here.
Another day spent on the roof cleaning up after the weeds. This time we were trying clear some of the rocks from the ground so we could use the weed wackier and make life a little easier. We were halfway through when a group of nuns showed up in the shop. Since it was only Clara and I in the shop today, we had to run down and open up. I don't know if I have stressed this enough, but the language barrier is a huge problem when we have guests visiting the monastery. well this group of nuns did not speak any Italian or English. Clara and I went down the list of languages we know to try to communicate until finally they understood. The language Clara and the nuns knew, and lucky for us, was French. Unfortunately that left me completely out of the loop, so all I could do was just stand behind the counter and point to the total. When I did ring someone up, she apparently changed her mind and wanted to switch some items that she bought. Well of course I didn't know this at the time and rang up another separate receipt. I now had to stop handing out receipt until the totals matched up.
While we were cleaning up the weeds, Clara noticed something delicious: asparagus. She took out her little scissors and began cutting away. This was now her own personal little garden where she could find asparagus to put in her pasta dishes. Well I for one can say that she doesn't have to worry about me stealing asparagus from the roof of the shop, because it is not on my list of things I enjoy eating.
Later that night we had to go down to Santa Scholastica for vespers, dinner, and a discussion with Walter Kasper. The only problem was that since Don Carlo was gone and Don Luigi went down early, we had to ride with Mattia, or should I say cling for dear life while Mattia drove. Matt and I both jumped into the back seat, figuring if something happened we would be safe for the most part. Well poor Don Heriberto was the only one left and had to sit in the front. We all told Mattia to slow down and drive carefully, because we wanted to live and make it to the discussion. On our way back I reminded ohm again about being careful while driving, because on our way down, Mattia thought it would be funny to let go of the wheel for a few seconds, but he was the only one laughing. I think he was a little offended when every doubted his driving skills, but what can you expect when I hear the week I get there you totaled a car!
It has to be spring time now considering the chaos there was on Saturday. We had three groups in the morning all requesting mass and a visit, along with a unscheduled group of kids. Well I was in charge of setting up all the masses and directing traffic. Things got a little hectic when no one wanted to stick to their schedules. Everyone wanted to completely switch which they would be doing first. I tried to persuade some of the groups that things would be cramped in the church if they all went on tour now, but they didn't seem to understand what I meant. So here I was stuck directing traffic in the lower church, trying to get people to their respective spots and along comes the other group wanting to do mass first.
Well the problem here was that neither one of the groups that arrived at 9:30 were done with their tours and would soon need to use the chapels. I had to switch the books, run around trying to prepare another room, and clean up after each group as they finished so the next one could file in. I was again the one man army doing everything. So you can understand if I am a little burnt out right now writing this journal entry. Why can't people just stick to the schedule they set up before? Why must things always be so difficult? These are the unanswered questions of my life.
On a positive note, I finally got to meet Walter Kasper. Don Luigi was giving him a tour of the monastery and introduced me. We shook hands and Don Luigi mentioned I was from St. John's. His eyes lit up because he visited the monastery once to see the famous St. John's Bible. I wish I had my camera with me then, because that would have been a great photo for you all to see.
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