This is the third in a series of posts recapping my trip to visit family in Italy through the notes in my journal. You can read the previous post here. The notes have been edited for clarity, and to avoid making you want to drive an ice pick into your eye.

Day 7 – A Visit to the Other Side (of the Family)

A quiet start to the day, I finished the book I was reading, called Senlin Ascends. A great book to be sure, and I’ll write about it in the future. The ending made my heart ache, though.

We were picked up by Pepe and Stella and taken shopping. It was an unsuccessful trip – none of us found the leather goods we were hoping for – but it was fun nonetheless. We ended up at their property for the night. They own a full rental building, which was cool.

It was awkward at first because mom and uncle Amadeo stayed back to get pizza with Stella, leaving Jess, Adam and I to fend for ourselves with Ortenzo and Pepe. They speak quickly and with a bit of an accent, making understanding them a bit tricky, and responding even more so.

The tension was cut with beer, wine, and moonshine – all of my favourite social lubricants. Unlike many homemade wines, these ones were really good; something special, in fact. Adam and I were just starting to feel good when we were all each served nine slices of pizza. Not a typo.

When we were all ready to burst, we went down to Domenic’s place on the next floor. Mom and uncle Amadeo looked at pictures while Ortenzo showed us the fine woodworking in the kitchen.

We gave Davison Super Hot VR – a virtual reality game that’s fun to play and hilarious to watch – when we got home. A great day all around!

Day 8 – Lazing on the Beach

We went to the Sunday market today. They sold all manner of merchandise – pots and pans, food, clothing, flowers and more. The only trouble was that the only thing not of questionable quality was the food. Adam didn’t realize that when he bought his leather sandals, which turned out to be made in Ukraine when he wanted Italian-made – but hey, they were affordable, well-made, and comfortable… so who cares?

After the market, we were dropped off at Zio Pepe’s house. His wife, Zia Maria, cooked us a simple, but delicious lunch that consisted of beans, seasoned chicken, bread, and tomato-and-cucumber salad. It was much-needed, after the heavy meals we had been eating up to that point.

After lunch, we went to the beach with Fatima, our cousin. While we saw no flounders in the water this time, we did see a large, edible-looking fish. We also saw a fish called a flying gurnard, which can use its pectoral fins to turn over rocks in search of food.

Back at the house, we couldn’t do much but sit around and chat, since Fatima and Zia Maria weren’t allowed to walk along the street or stray too far down the beach. The instruction worried me a bit… but the conversation was nice either way.

Zio Pepe and I went for a walk before dinner, most of which happened in silence while I staggered to find the words I was looking for. Zio Pepe is old-fashioned, and I didn’t dare pull out my phone while we walked. Unfortunately, that choice also meant that I was handcuffed to my woefully-incomplete Italian vocabulary in my own mind. Still, I can’t help but feel like as much was said in the silences as when I was responding. I can only hope he felt the same.

Back at the house, I was lucky enough to beat Zio Salvatore 2-1 at Brischola while everyone else sipped Limoncello before turning in for the night.

Day 9 – The Return to Grotteria

We started with a trip to the mall, where I finally found a shirt that fits. I’m noticing that clothes this time are to me what Granita was last time. The hunt for ones that fit just right has become an obsession!

After having a nap at home, we visited Zia Lina in Grotteria. We spent longer there this time. As a matter of coincidence, family from Australia was also visiting the village of 500 people at the same time. How cool is that? After snapping some photos and exchanging contact info, we went off in search of mom’s grandmother’s home and property.

The trek took us higher up the mountain, to the top of the village. Along the way, we stopped to talk with the locals, one of whom it turns out knew my grandfather, Nonno Saverio. He was able to tell us more about how he and my Nonna met, as well as direct us to the property we were looking for. After thanking him and checking out the property, we began our descent back down the mountain. We passed a picturesque piazza along the way, and stopped to snap some photos there.

Dinner was, somewhat surprisingly, served by Zia Lina’s son, Francesco. It was equally as surprising to learn that it was freaking delicious. Dinner consisted of crab claws, mushrooms, cucumber and tomato salad, and bread to sop up.

You’d think the day was done, but no; Adam and Davison had a soccer game at 9pm. They were against each other, and Adam’s team won 15-12. It was halfway through the game before the other players realized that Adam didn’t speak Italian. Davison didn’t explain it to anyone, and as a result the other players just assumed Adam was deaf. I couldn’t stop laughing.

After coming home and chatting for a bit, we turned in for the night.

To be continued next post…