11 November 2024: Larry’s birthday, Laundry Day, and Montecassino—First and foremost, today is Larry’s birthday! Happy and healthy birthday to Larry! Secondly, this is Veteran’s Day in the United States (I recognize that Italy celebrated this holiday earlier this month). Thirdly, we HAD to do some laundry today—and make sure it dried today—before we move on to Rome tomorrow morning. This meant going to the laundromat in town rather than washing clothes and hanging them out to dry—or almost dry. Finally, this was a good day to drive to the Abbey of Montecassino, not too far away from our B&B in Frosinone. The Abbey in Montecassino is perched way at the top of a mountain. The Abbey structure is beautiful and much more modern than other medieval towns or forts we’ve seen in Italy thus far. The reason it is much more modern is because it has been bombed and rebuilt several times, been rebuilt from an earthquake, and been brought back from conquests throughout history. It was founded by St. Benedict in 529 A.D., and re-built most recently after WW II. During WWII, it was completely bombed by the Allies in an effort to stop the Germans from shooting away at Allied forces trying to advance toward Rome via the mountain pass way below. The structure is said to hold the crypts of St. Benedict and his twin sister, St. Scholastica, right beneath the main altar. The church itself is absolutely gorgeous—and, of course, it is much more modern than many historical duomos, basilicas, and cathedrals we’ve had the privilege to visit throughout this trip in Italy. The message posted on the grounds and the very front of the Abbey is Peace/Pax. White doves fly about in the Piazza of this Abbey complex. A short distance away from the Abbey but on the same mountain, is the Polish Cemetery, i.e., where about 1,000+ Polish soldiers perished in WWII during the bombing mission of the Abbey at Montecassino. They are honored here near the Abbey because they took over the Abbey after the German forces retreated. Dinner was at a restaurant in Frosinone recommended by our Hosts. Dad had tagliate of beef (steak cut into chunky slices), and grilled potato rounds. I had Cacio e Pepe pasta, i.e., cheese and pepper cream sauce on spaghetti-like pasta. We were also served complimentary Ciambella di Pane a la Ciociara, which means a hard round wreath-like bread, broken into chunks, and, in this case, seasoned with olive oil, vinegar, and some herbs. Tomorrow, we will leave Frosinone and drive to the outskirts of Rome.Rome is our last stop on this incredible journey before pausing in Civitavecchia to board the Neiuw Staatendam for our Transatlantic Crruise.
Our Travels 