And the final cousin count = 48!

This will be my last post.  In a few hours I will begin my journey via train north to Roma.  I will stay at a hotel at the airport as I have a 6:20 a.m. flight tomorrow morning – Roma to Amsterdam to Minneapolis. 

I can’t believe my trip is almost over.  The last few days have been just as exciting as the others.  On Saturday there was another family festa at Cousin Antonio’s.  There were 4 musicians this time – so there was singing and dancing.  The food was fantastic -  complete with a beautiful homemade torta (cake).   Antonio sure knows how to throw a party!!

The musicians and Angela play while I show some of the cousins my family tree album (a work in progress).

Mariangela with a plate of bruschetta (it was fabulous)!!

Anna assisting as I cut the homemade torta

Dancing and singing made the night very special!

On Sunday many of the cousins attended an event for cousin Giuseppe.  He is an editor/writer and was introducing a new book.  There was a panel of his academic colleagues who spoke about the book along with Giuseppe.  I had absolutely no clue what was being discussed but was happy I could attend and be supportive along with the other family members.  There was a lovely buffet after the discussion.  It gave me a chance to say my goodbyes to many of the cousins. 

This trip gave me many wonderful memories and again solidified my wish and hope that I can live in Italy someday soon.  I feel at home here!  I was amazed on this trip at how much better I was able to speak and understand the language.  I had taken Italian lessons years ago but then started taking Italian classes in Minneapolis again the past few years and they have helped – I will definitely continue them. 

I hope you have enjoyed my blog.  It was fun sharing my experiences.  I look forward to seeing and talking with many of you once I am back home.  Until then……. Ciao and Arrivederci Italia!!

Cousin Count = 47

Friday was another day of new sites.  Tour guide, Antonio, took us to some new places within “the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park”.  This is the area of southern Italy that comprises 95 towns.  This is where most of the Gentile family resides.   (The map from my earlier post shows the park area). As I have mentioned it is full of wonderful sites of nature.  Today we would first visit the Grotto di Castelcivita (Caves of Castelcivita).  The village of Castelcivita is medieval and there is a legend that says that Spartacus hid in the caves as he was escaping from his revolt against Rome around 73 B. C.    There are 30 some grottos within Italy, two in the Cilento Park.  The pictures didn’t turn out to well so I have only included a few.  The temperature difference had to be 30 to 40 degrees - a refreshing (but a bit chilly) change from the hot Mediterranean sun. 

This is the village of Ottati - which we drove through on our way to/from the Caves.

We then visited Roscigno Vecchio.  (Roscigno Old).  The village of Roscigno is divided into two sections, old and new.  The new was developed after the old town was deserted after many landslides.  The old town is now visited by many tourists and its one resident tells you the story, invites you into the small museum which houses many old artifacts from the town along with many old photographs and asks you to sign the guest book.  When hearing I was an American he pointed out that just recently he had visitors from Santa Barbara, CA.    It is the Italian equivalent of a ghost town.   The structures are beautiful even in their deteriorated state. 

The only resident of the old village

We head for home as there is another family gathering this evening.  This one will wind up having 27 family members.  And on the menu…… homemade pizza from a wood fired pizza oven!!!  OMG!  I thought I had died and gone to heaven.  The meal started out with wonderful antipasto – many different types but then the pizzas started to come.  36 pizzas in total were made – all different types - Margherita, olive and anchovies, zucchini, broccoli and cheese – the list goes on.  I captured quite a few still photos but the best is the video I took of the entire process.  The Pizzaiolo (pizza chef) is the brother of Cousin Angelo’s wife, Carmela.  He does this in a restaurant and once you see him work – it is magic.  Now if I could just figure out how to get a wood fired stove in my backyard!

 

3 trays of pasta (pizza dough)

The fire and paddle are ready

The dough is worked only with his hands - no rolling pin for him!

Notice the other paddle - he uses that one when he needs to spin/turn the pizza while it is in the oven

Ready for the fire!!

Carmela with Margherita pizza - my favorite!!

Some pizzas require oil on top prior to cooking

Olives and anchovies, zucchini and ricotta!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0KXw2IVr98&feature=youtu.be

Cousin Count = 43

Yesterday I was a tourist.  Cousin Antonio took Angela and me on a drive along the southern coast.  We drove from Marina di Casal Velino (just south of Acciaroli) to Maratea (far right lower corner).  I have included a map so you can see where we were. 

This drive made me just wonder in amazement why more Americans don’t come to Southern Italy.  The coastline is dotted with fantastic little villages and some pretty spectacular views.   Along the way we would stop, both by choice and sometimes not by choice.    Our stops by choice were to take pictures or look at cork trees along the way.  Italy produces 5.5% of the world's cork, third behind Portugal and Spain.  Our stops not by choice were due to a film crew producing a commercial for Ferrari – they had the road blocked for awhile and policed stopped traffic.  We ran into this both to/from Maratea.  Of course as we drove by filming, the Ferrari was covered so no chance of pictures – darn!

Our main destination was the Statue of Christ in Maratea. It sits high atop Monte San Biagio and is made from Carrara marble – a pretty spectacular (and very large) sculpture with amazing views.

Our drive there took quite a few hours so on our return we took the superstrada (highway) as we had a family gathering to attend that night.   Below are quite a few photos of the journey there. 

The town of Pisciotta

View of Cape Palinuro

Antonio getting me a souvenir sample of cork

The police stop us due to filming - Angela and Antonio (on the right) are picking oregano!!

Does everything in Italy require climing up a hill???

Spettacolare vista!!

Angela, Angelo and Me at the base of the statue - check out the toes to the right!

After our return which was quite late we quickly got organized and left for our dinner with a group of the cousins.  We would have dinner on the terrace of one of the old homes in San Bernadino.  This home originally was owned by Emilio Gentile, a brother of my grandfather.  Emilio’s grandson, Angelo, has renovated the home and uses it for family outings.  The food was provided by all the different family members and we drank Angelo’s homemade wine.  It was all spectacular!  Here are a few photos of the gathering!  Another great day that didn’t end till well after midnight!

Typcial Italian gathering - the women are in the kitchen!

...and I wonder why I talk with my hands - must be a Gentile trait - check out my two cousins in the center!

Bella Luna!

Just some of the 43 cousins - in this picture - 1 first cousin to my mom, 8 second cousins and 3 second cousins once removed

Cousin count = 39

Yesterday was a special day – “La Festa in onore di Maria SS. Delle Grazie” – the patron saint day for Acquavella.  I would spend the entire day in the village.  I arrive just in time to see the start of the first procession.  It is a very short one that only walks about 1 block.  The procession is bringing the 2 gold crowns to the church so they can be placed on the head of the Madonna and baby Jesus.  In the church everyone is waiting as the statue is taken down from its normal place high above the alter.   The gold crowns are then placed on the heads in place of silver crowns.  A large frame of flowers is then placed around the statue.  I was a bit too slow and was unable to get any pictures of the procession but I do have one from inside the church. 

Inside the curch

Also, after the crowning the church bells peal and the band plays - a quick video gives you a flavor of the sounds - almost a bit confusing but very normal for the festa. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq6QPSJ17z8&feature=plcp

After the procession and ceremony inside the church everyone chats for a while then returns home as later in the evening the grand procession will take place. I take the time to walk around the town and take photos – this town is so beautiful.

Everyone visits today!

Views of Acquavella, Italy

 It is wonderful to see that there is some construction going on.  You might think you don’t want to see new buildings but for the village to survive it must progress.  It still embraces the old but there are quite a few changes since my last visit.  As I am walking through town I meet a few cousins I have not seen yet.  They don’t live in the village but the family house is still owned by them and they are returning to spend the day in Acquavella for the festa.

 They invite me to spend the day with them and I agree.  This is also the birthday of one of the cousins so the family will all be together to celebrate - a great opportunity for me to spend time with all of them.    I find out that one of the younger cousins is now engaged.  No date has been set for the wedding – possibly in one year.   Celeste (engaged cousin) is an engineer and recently graduated from college.  Her fiancé is a soccer player for a team in Avellino.  The family has brought everything they need for the afternoon lunch to the house.  It was a great lunch and fun to spend time catching up on everyone’s life.  The husband of one cousin has been a lead person helping with the aftermath of the earthquake near Bologna.  He is a structural engineer (I think) and is working to help inspect buildings to determine the extent of the damage.  They tell me many people are still without homes and living in tents.   We talk a bit of politics (icky) but mostly fun topics – even American sports! 

 Cousin Rosanna (cooking pasta)

Cousin Marinella with two Birthday tortas!  The white one is a very local (Acquavella) speciality!

 As it gets close to 8 p.m. we move upstairs to an outside terrace so we can have a great view of the procession as it passes by the house.  I took a video of the entire procession. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfaQQMuILKA&feature=youtu.be


The flower displays are made by each person to show her devotion to the Madonna.  They are to only be carried by this person or a family member.  They are carried on their heads and many walk barefoot to sacrifice for the Madonna.  This procession will walk throughout the entire village and I find out later it takes more than one hour - and it was very hot with no breeze!  After the procession passes the house we head down to the center of town where all the activity is and everyone mingles.   The town has now been lit up with beautiful candles to light the small pathways as well as the beautiful light displays along the main streets.

Nearing the end of the procession they have been walking for over one hour!

Pathways are lit with candles

Many people come back to the village for the festa, like my cousins.  They grew up here so they are seeing many old friends and of course lots of family. I see many of the Gentile cousins and we greet and chat a bit.  It is a special day for the village and it is wonderful to see so many people support it.   This is a very important tradition for this village and for Italy – one we most likely would never see in the U.S.  This is what makes this country so unique and special – traditions live on!