July 13, 2007  

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.

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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.

4 Responses to “A note from Italy”

  1. clintonjames9 says :

    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.

  2. Drew Detolve says :

    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

  3. Jennifer Bowen says :

    I am interested in any information that you have on this town, my grandparents came to NYC from Potenza, and my grandfather was from Tolve with the last name “Stigliani”. I understand it is quite a small area with a very small population…..so happy to find this site/blog and that someone else has this heritage!!!!!!! When my aunt visited there and mentioned the family name, she said that half the town seemed to come forward, oh my….I can’t imagine what happened with the last name “Tolve”……thank you!

  4. Caroline Filitti says :

    I also have relatives in Tolve, Italy with the last name Filitti. My family and I went to see our relatives in 1994 and then again in 2000. They showed us a wonderful time but we actually only stayed in Tolve for 2 days, 1 night. The communication was almost impossible considering there was only 1 person (that we knew of) in Tolve that spoke English. They fed us delicious food and drink and even gave up their bedroom to us. They insisted that we stay – not taking “no” for an answer. It was an incrediable experience. They made us feel so special when we were there. The only sad part was my Uncle Donoto Filitti passed away after our last visit to Tolve. We was crying when we were leaving. He was adorable and we will miss him on our next visit.