We're going home :(

We said our goodbyes at the airport. My Mom, Aunt and Uncle are there for another 4 weeks ! We are very sad to see this trip end, but there is always the chance of another trip to make new memories.

Last Day in Pietracatella

Well, can't really count it a day since we got up at 4 a.m. this morning to drive back to Rome. Enzo is driving us and my Mom and Aunt are in the back with Grace. We got to bed a little late last night and it is a 3 hour ride to Rome. A little out of the way actually.

Our flight is at 11 A.m. and we are meeting Zia Maria and Zio Pep at the airport as we are on the same plane back.

Windmills !

The region actually has quite a few Windmills, and on days where the wind is strong enough the region is a net producer of electricity for the power grid.

Arguments there are the same as in Canada. Those renting out there land to host the windmill are for it. Others complain that it takes away from the landscape.

Grandmother's Home in Italy

Front of house (right side is ours).

The Cross

Just outside my Grandmother's House (the hose in which we are staying), there is a cross that was placed by my Nonno Di Iorio's Grandfather, Pasquale Di Iorio in 1902. So that would be my great, great Grandfather.

I remember as a child that it was a communal place where everyone would gather to chit chat. When we were there this time it was a little cold so we were rarely outside.

Nazi Built Parking Lot

As the story goes, the line created by those two black cars once had houses in the same spot. The the left was one of the main roads through the city. The retreating Nazi's decided to blow up the house to block road in order to impede the advancement of the Allied forces.

My Mom tells me that as a child the rubble was still there and they called the area "i Casi Cascatti". Her and her friends would forage through some of the rubble and pick up clay bulbs that they used to use as piggy banks.

In the background there is a walking path to get to the top of the village and you can notice the houses built on the tuff rock.

Today the area is a parking lot.

Grandad's House (on Dad's Side)

My Dad's side of the family spent most of there time in the house in the field's. This was there house in the city.