A note from Italy
Hello, readers. Been a while, no? I'm about to depart Italy for home after a week doing for this blog none of what I had intended. I had hoped to write about the trip, celebrations, meetings, and sights in near real-time, but no, it was not to be. A lack of a non-iPhone internet connection until the very end combined with packed days and, um, needy parents basically made it impossible.
But there's another thing. This trip deserves a smart write-up. Not blog-style, but organized and thorough. I need some time to digest it all. So much has happened in such a rapid-fire manner that a few quick morsels simply won't do it justice.
I do want to answer a question I've gotten a few times from pals back home. The recognition ceremony in Barile was unbelievable. And I mean that baldly: it defied belief. Not because it was lavish or unexpected, but because I still cannot believe how much I was made to feel like a member of the town's 4,000 citizens. I was recognized in two separate ceremonies -- once in the mayor's office, once at a public ceremony -- and was greeted nearly everywhere by happy townsfolk. I've never experienced anything like it and probably never will again. I get choked up just thinking about it.
So, hope you don't mind that I am going to take my time on this. Look forward to at least a few videos (including me almost getting creamed by a bus on the Amalfi coast highway) and hundreds of photos stitched together with the tales of Ravello, Barile, Potenza, and Matera.
Tags: barile, basilicata, italy, travelogue
Posted on July 13, 2007 to the category called Return to Barile .
Comments
Much congrats on living life to the fullest and making every moment count. This is a great story in the making and I am glad I could be along for the ride. Can't wait to hear all the juicy stuff that happened. Again congrats on taking the road less traveled and doing something "great!" . All the best. Travel safe.
Posted by: clintonjames9 at July 13, 2007 8:30 PM
Very interesting web site my great great grandfather left Tolve Italy in 1898 his name was Luke Antiono Tolve wass wondring if there is any relationshi[p there
Posted by: Drew Detolve at July 28, 2007 9:30 PM
