Monday, November 2, 2009

We Explore our Family Roots: Portalbera



Trip to Italy - Journal Entry #22 - September 28, 2009 - 8:15 am

On Sunday morning, we slept in and did not go down to breakfast until 10:00 am! Awaiting us was a beautifully set table. Breakfasts are usually light in Europe. We had orange juice, coffee and tea, and biscuits with Rosita's homemade marmalade - peach and apricot. Molto bene.

After breakfast, Roberto drove us the few short miles to Portalbera where Dad's mother and her brothers and sisters (including Zia Chiara) were born. Portalbera is a very small town that has a mix of very old and very new homes. This was historically a farming community, and we passed many farms on our way there. There is a single church in the center of town, and Angela's house is right across the street from the church. Angela immediately came out of her house to greet us, and her daughter Antonia was right behind her. We hugged and kissed and then took a quick look inside the church. This is the church were Dad's mom and all her siblings were baptized.

Next to the church is a World War I monument to those local men lost in the War. Dad's Uncle Angelo died very early in the War, and his name is on this monument. While walking through the tiny park where the
monument stands, we were joined by Carluccio and Luca. Luca spent a month in San Diego in August and he speaks English pretty well. It was nice for Chris to have someone to talk to!

No comments:

Post a Comment