Blogs from Calabria, Italy, Europe - page 2

Wow. Blown away by walking in my ancestral town, meeting and talking and eating with people who knew of my grandfather and his ancestors. The mayor of the town signed a book of the town for me, a gift from a family member of my cousin. Pictures below are the home my grandfather grew up in...very late 1800s/early 1900s (home to rear right of monument). Followed by the mountain river, Esaro, and town spring, churches and patron saint of my grandfather, and family. A blessed day to be remembered always. ... read more

We need an early start today because we have some driving to do to get to our destination. First we have to cross from Sicily to the mainland of Italy. Today we take the toll road to Messina. It is fast and cuts through lush bush country. We quickly get to the exit, insert our ticket, to be informed payment is two euros. This was far less than we expected and saved us time and diesel. We arrive in Messina towards the start of a busy working Friday. Jane has plotted our way to the ferry terminal. As we approach the ticket office we follow others before us, leave the car in its lane and purchase our ticket. That’s how it is done. No one toots, drivers negotiate parked cars and move on. We join the ... read more

We knew we had to make kilometres to get to the next destination. We made sure we had fuel for that is not everywhere available. To fuel the car is also a story. There are two fuel prices that have a difference of 20 euro cents. On arriving at a station you have to be quick otherwise they have the nozzle in their hands and fuel your car. When you quick enough you are there before them and fuel your own car will make it 20 euro cents per litre cheaper. You learn quickly I can tell you. We reached Cosenza in the afternoon but had to find a place to sleep. Not very hard. We found one and was not expensive even included parking. Very important in Italy. now for a place to eat, there ... read more

Another example of bad bringing good. The button to push to make the train door open didn't work, so we were stuck going to the next town, which gave us a chance to meet the engineer/driver who helped us figure out how to get back to our destination. She spoke pretty good English, too. Scilla is a town built on rock starting from the beach up. I wanted to swim, but it was a bit too windy. We've walked the "passagiata" along Corso Garibaldi several times. People walk, talk, shop, etc. Dogs are welcome.... read more

I love the way a seemingly unfortunate thing often will lead me to a fortunate outcome and remind me to greet life's little annoyances with curiosity instead of getting my shorts all "tied in a knot," as Art would say. This morning, the lighter to light the burner on the stove wouldn't spark. So, no coffee. Had to go out. Passed a shop window with lighters. Went in. Bought a small bic while Anita looked around and began checking out the books in the window. Struck up a conversation about books with the couple who ran the shop, Antonella and Domenico, discovered he's a writer and a bit of a philosopher with thoughts similar to ours. We are now each the proud owner of signed copies of two of his books.... read more