Regulars may recall this past post (when I returned from Italy) opening with a picture of my mother standing on a small bridge in her hometown. I eagerly anticipated walking across that bridge toward the apartment and strolling through the city center, but my cousins kept us busy – besides, I started each morning by visiting my aunt.
It was day 8 and my time was running out, so I declared the morning as mine, and solely mine. I was out of the house by 9 AM for my journey, and after a short walk, the bridge stood before me. I quickly saw the sign for one-way traffic, and noticed drivers using is as a shortcut. Knowing the aggressive nature of many Italian drivers, I carefully watched and waited for a few minutes and recognized that alertness would be paramount after crossing the street.
Suddenly, there I was – standing on the bridge looking around at the fast-flowing stream, the surrounding hills, the valley, the small town of my grandmother above, and the walk ahead – all with tears rolling down my face.
I walked down the street toward the old apartment building. Besides asphalt replacing gravel, it was just as I remembered – greenhouses were still there, as were some houses, and a large old factory behind the apartment. Some carnation fields were still present, but olive trees now occupied some of their space.
In a short time, I arrived at the apartment. Today, the U-shaped structure is vacant and the courtyard entrance is blocked – but the blockade did not hinder my view of the third-floor windows (not the top) where I had images of my handicapped uncle spent much of his day – or where my grandmother lowered a basket to receive something from below.
I climbed a small wall to see the courtyard where I played and the stone opening that led to the walk upstairs. As tempted as I was, I didn’t go further.
The house across the street still stands, but the small lot of carnations is now a grove of olive trees.
The emotions of this walk along were many as I thought much about my family. I looked at the small village on the hill knowing that my grandmother, an aunt and uncle were smiling from the cemetery I earlier visited – as were the family members from the city cemetery across town.
On this day, I came, I saw, and left feeling content. Because I had my peace, it was time to continue my walk away from the apartment toward city center. Ciao!
Beautiful and touching. I love everything about Italy but the familial connections and history you have there would surely make it unique and heartfelt.
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Rachel,
Well said. The beauty of the country is one thing, but having a personal connection brings it more to life … and I know you feel the same about your homeland. 🙂
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wonderful!
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Jackie,
Many thanks!!!
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This must have been a real trip down memory lane for you… I must admit I’m enjoying the trip with you…
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Bulldog,
Many thanks for the validation that I seem to reach the tone that I wanted! BTW – another interesting walk coming on Thursday!
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question about this line: “As tempted as I was, I didn’t go further.” what was tempting you? why didn’t you go further? looking back, was it the better choice to not go further? would you do the same tomorrow?
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Rich,
It’s a U-shaped, C-shaped building, so the front was blocked by a locked gate. I was tempted to climb the gate, but wisdom prevailed. As much as I wanted to go in, I simply wouldn’t … after all, I don’t want to hurt myself!
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a wise move then.
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Fortunately, there was a small wall allowing me to see over the top of the gate.
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I am so glad you took this walk, so you can continue your own journey with more peace and contentment. Thanks for sharing.
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Patti,
The peaceful feeling at the end was a pleasant surprise … thus I wonder about the feelings on the next time!
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Beautiful! Thank you for taking us with you on this walk Frank. How old were you when you left Italy?
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Rosie,
I was born in Italy, but came to the US and the ripe age of 3 months. At age 5, I returned with my mother for her first return trip, and we stayed 6 months. As I like to say, I arrived knowing no Italian, and left knowing no English. We return as a family in 1964 for a 3 weeks …. and this was my first trip since.
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I am pleased you had a little time to yourself to appreciate your early life in Italy.
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Debra,
Many thanks … and just so you know, another walk is on the way.
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Going back to childhood places is such a strange experience isn’t it. The memories can be overwhelming. My paternal grandfather was Italian, but it’s not a country I’ve really explored, I’ve been twice, but as a child, I really want to explore it more as an adult. I spent a couple of years living in France as a child, and one of those years was in the French Alps in a completely self-sufficient community, just me and my mother and another family, no electricity or anything. I so want to go back and visit that place! I remember it really well.
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Vanessa,
I imagine any foreign country is best appreciated by adults. The oldness of Italy catches my eye a great deal!
Thanks for sharing your personal story about your time as a child in France. If you want to go, I say go because it will serve you well – although it could be so different now.
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Glad you were able to experience this.
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TBM,
Yep – As simple as it was, this was one of the special times of the trip.
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Amazing. I can imagine how emotional this visit must have been. Incredible how it’s all still there, just in a slightly less lived-in state. Childhood memories can be so vivid xx
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Spiced,
The entire trip was full of a wide range of emotions. I was amazed to see it still standing because I know it’s been vacant for some time. Then again, Europeans don’t tear down buildings as Americans do.
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What a journey you where on that day – I can see you … in front of me as I was reading you story. I can image your emotions. Wonderful post …
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Viveka,
I’m glad to know that I achieved what I was aiming for with this post. Thanks for letting me know.
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Your story are very real .. and visual. Great job, but that is was emotions to with us.
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Many thanks … and another walk is planned for Thursday!
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Fantastic story Frank, and your photos are wonderful. I really do think people declare days entirely for themselves much too seldom.
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Good Morning Alex,
Taking that walk and strolling by myself was something i was looking forward to a great deal … and at that point, it was the next to the last day. Good thing was the peace that I got after the walk. Hope you morning coffee is treating you well this morning.
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Taking time for ourselves often has that effect, and good morning to you as well! The coffee is a good example of that — heading towards my second cup. 😉
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🙂 … and I know that coffee is your best friend in the morning.
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What a charming custom to lower a basket from the upper floor windows to bring up something from below.
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Georgette,
Yep … a basket with a long rope …. mail, someone bringing tomatoes, whatever …. easier than climbing the steps!
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I realize reading this series that the time will come (if I survive long enough) that my ‘elders’ will all be gone and I will look to cross my own version of ‘the bridge’.
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Cyclist,
Interesting perspective. As you say in the other post, the trip was sparked by the fact that I have only one left in the family line before me. Thanks for sharing your insight. .. BTW … another walk on Thursday.
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Frank that was lovely. And I especially love the image as the bridge to your past, to your grandmother and that very special trip you had as a little boy.
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Elyse,
Glad you appreciate this walk down a road that actually isn’t very long.
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I’m glad you were able to find peace on this morning where you went by yourself to your ancestor’s homes. A touching tribute to those who have gone before and beautiful writing, Frank.
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Cathy,
That walk was a personal mission for the trip, thus my feeling of content. Thanks for the kind words.
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This is great meeting and experience. I am glad you did this travel dear Frank. I can almost feel how it was… Of course so touching, emotional but at the end it is a peace in your heart now. Thanks and Love, nia
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Nia,
I’m not surprised that you enjoyed this post … so thanks for the kind words.
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I got a little teary-eyed myself reading this, Frank! What an important trip this was, and the opportunity to re-visit memories and be in tune with the past was the perfect experience for your Diamond Jubilee! I am so glad that you found the apartment and surroundings recognizable and that everything hadn’t profoundly changed. I’m truly so happy for you!
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Debra,
The surroundings hadn’t changed, so everything was easily recognizable. Nonetheless, thanks for letting me know that my emotion came through! Meanwhile, I have another interesting walk for Thursday.
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I’m sure they were all smiling…you had come home…sniffles…
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Zannyro,
No doubt in my mind! 😀
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You did an excellent way of describing this walk – felt like I was scrambling along- hearing all the sounds. What a beautiful area. Thanks for taking us along ( really – it was delightful)
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Mouse,
It is a beautiful area … I especially like the surrounding hills with the small villages dotting the landscape. Thanks for coming along … and I’m hoping for another one on Thursday.
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Very nice, Frank. It is always nice to look back. Things may be different today, but there is always something that will bring back a memory or two. Nice post.
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Tom,
Well said … thanks!
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Thanks for sharing such a moving personal experience. It encourages me to seek out opportunities to visit places and people from my past.
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Tim,
And we’ll talk about that … and get ready for another walk on Thursday.
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I am so glad you declared a ‘me’ day Frank.These harvested memories, the walk and visit to your personal history is clearly something your heart needed. Thank you for sharing with the rest of us, both the journey and your emotional response.
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Val,
I even only took the morning, even though I would have preferred more. Glad you appreciated the walk.
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Completely beautiful. I loved picturing your grandmother lowering the basket from her window. Amazing, moving pictures.
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Shrinks,
To add to the picture, make her a short, a bit heavy Italian grandmother with a smile. Glad you enjoyed the post … and another walk coming in a matter of hours.
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Can’t wait!
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rumor is the EB is replacing SO soon.
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Oh no … say it ain’t so. Oh well … the network has been shifting people in that slot like they are rolling dice.
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EB teaming up with andrew cuomo i think. SO was promised a night show, kind of like EB has, but that’s not going to happen.
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I read Chris Cuomo … but who knows. SO is a good journalist, too bad … then again, good journalism doesn’t necessarily get ratings … after all, the top morning show is GMA – which does mostly entertainment.
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chris cuomo, right. i think SO is fine, occasionally pushy but i like that too. this week, slightly darker lipstick. just happened to notice. saw that leather jacket monday. interesting.
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That’s beautiful, Frank.
And I’d imagine having walked the same ground gives you an even stronger connection to your family.
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Guapo,
Very much so …. and with the last time for being being 48 years ago and all the changes in life, … absolutely. But, when walking away, I was very content.
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