Kitty arranged for a car to drive Baba to Assisi. The trip was to start at midnight on the 5th, but the small five-seat Fiat arrived late and they ended up leaving at 2:30 A.M. on Saturday, 6 August. Accompanying Baba were Chanji, Kaka, Quentin and Signor Pavese (the proprietor of the villa Fiorenza , who was driving), and the usual loads of luggage.
Baba had not had a moment's rest before they departed. There were instructions he had to give each in the group. He called all into his room before he left and told them to stay awake near him. With a faraway look in his eyes, he lay down while his hands gestured continually in the air. (When his fingers moved like this, he had once explained, he was putting his "seal" on an order.)
Baba had explained to those present that before he could do his work in Assisi one of two things would happen: "Either there will be a storm or I shall be ill."
True to his word, Baba suffered from stomach pains that made him quite restless throughout the night and he rolled on the bed from one side to the other in anguish. "Inexplicable is the Avatar's suffering!" Age observed. "How can we understand how he suffers for the universe?" His lovers' eyes filled with tears upon seeing their Beloved suffer.
Baba's pain increased and he remarked, "The pain I am bearing is like that of a mother about to give birth."
The expression on Baba's face reminded them of the poignant paintings they had seen of Jesus suffering on the cross.
Some of them cried out, "Baba, transfer some of your pain to us; let us suffer for you!" But only the Avatar can bear such pain, which he does for the whole creation! Yet, this longing from their hearts pleased him, and feeling their love eased the acuteness of his suffering.
Baba's pain gradually decreased during the drive, but Quentin and Chanji became ill. During the drive, twice an accident was averted by Baba's grace. Arriving in Pisa on the morning of the 6th, they refreshed themselves at the Nettion Hotel. Starting out again, they passed the Leaning Tower of Pisa. At about two in the afternoon, they reached Siena where they ate lunch. Kaka slipped on the sidewalk and was at first thought to have incurred a serious injury, but was not hurt severely.