After a couple of days of R&R on the Amalfi Coast we flew into Catania, Sicily. Richard, Amy, Mary Susan, and I rented a car and drove to Palermo where we stayed. Driving in Italy was pretty hysterical. We don't know the language, rules of the road, or how to use a roundabout. Richard did great though! We were set up with this Italian American guy that lives in Sicily (and is obviously bilingual) that could show us around the town of our very own relatives.So we drove about an hour and a half outside of Palermo to this little town called Bisacquino. Both of my Mom's grandparents come from Sicily and this town is the place where my grandmother Mama C's family comes from. This whole journey to the homeland was pretty hilarious. We roll into Bisacquino and meet up with Leo, the Italian American, who happens to be cousins of Matt Graffeo! It really is a small world. Leo showed us all around the town from the churches to the cemetery. It was actually really neat going to the cemetery because the names and pictures were on the tombs and I recognized all the names of my Italian Stallion cousins. We had the privilege of going into the home and talking with one of Richard's cousins! Leo translated for us because they didn't speak English. It was so sweet. They were the cutest little Sicilian couple. Sicily reminded me of Spain. Nothing can beat the slow-paced and laid back way of life. The next day in Palermo we went into the catacombs and saw a tons of mummies! Yes, you read correctly. Mummies. It was in the bottom of a church. So strange.
Monday, May 23 we began our 22 hour journey home. This was a bittersweet day for me. I wasn't sad about leaving Italy, per se, but I really can't believe my time in Spain is over. It was the greatest experience and I wouldn't trade it for anything.Maybe one day my dreams will come true and I can pick up this blog for round two of me in Spain!
Adios!
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