The Passage of Time

It is a joyous passage of time. We drink cappuccino and eat breakfast in the morning and then away we go for the day of adventures and making new friends. Internet has been sparse lately, but we will be writing more about our experiences and posting pictures soon.

Cava de' Tirreni

Our week in Cava de' Tirreni was amazing. It is a challenge to fully capture the sights beheld, the history interpreted, the meals shared, and the lessons learned. Our activities included visiting:

Abbazia Benedettina dell SS. Trinita (Abbey), Corpo di Cava (historic city), Ercolano (Roman ruins), Mt Vesuvio, the Almalfi Coast, town of Ravello, Salerno, Ciro's mother's apartment (she is a great artist!), Vietri sul Mare (ceramics), and a boat ride along the Almafi Coast. We met Rotarians from several clubs and gave a full presentation to the Rotary Club of Cava de Tirreni. We also watched the Giro d'Italia and a Jazz Quartet. Our vocational day was spent at the University of Salerno and the Pasticceria Tirrena di Tagliaferri (very rewarding to taste your work). Our week ended with a train ride south to Cosenza in Calabria.

Sunday Shuffling

Our first Sunday in Italy we had a pranzo magnifico (wonderful lunch). After 4 courses (anti-pasto, pasta, meat, and dessert) we had an espresso and went for a stroll in a park in the hills of Naples. We were delighted by the day and the brilliant sunlight.


This past Sunday in Cava we ate a delicious lunch at a charity event for La Nostra Famiglia and afterwards we went for a Sunday ‘Shuffle’ (it is called this because people shuffle their feet while walking at the slow pace). Ciro and his family guided us through the town center and the pedestrian way. The Senatore family is from here so they saw many friends and acquaintances. As we walked, observed the scene, and discussed the traditions with Laura (Ciro’s daughter) we were informed that the large lunch and stroll is customary for Sundays. The evening ‘shuffle’ is when everyone is out to see each other.

Everyone is nourished, the chores should be done, and the week has yet to begin again so it is an ideal time to stroll and converse. Of course in this process it is customary to stop for a slice of pizza and/or gelato. (There are many varieties of pizza, but the classic margarita stands strong; it is beautiful in its simplicity – tomato sauce, mozzarella di bufala, and basilica. For gelato my latest favorite is two scoops of fruiti di bosco and noce (fruit of the forest (berries) and nuts.) As night over took the sky, we made our way back to the hotel. We retired for the evening with an appreciation for city design that includes many gathering piazzas and time with family and friends.

Happy Birthday Elisa!

Buon compleanno! Celebrating Elisa's birthday at the Pompei Resort.

May 15, 2010.

I Vini Dei Feudi di San Gregorio, Avellino

The province of Avellino, Italy, surrounded by vineyards, offers wines of international reputation. For instance, we found a bottle of wine at the I Vini Dei Feudi Di San Gregorio priced at more than $500.

The hills surrounding Avellino are covered with vineyards. Here, the vines are being tended during the afternoon on May 14, 2010.

Exploring the I Vini Dei Feudi wine cellar with our new friends in Avellino. (May 14, 2010). On the left is Tatsuhiko Ozaki from Japan. Front row, center, Tonia Coppola. Back row, center, Rita Paola Maietta. The Rotary Club of Avellino hosted the GSE Team and made special arrangements for the private tour of the winery. Tonia's brother, Nello, is a member of the Avellino Rotary Club.

Cultural Immersion

Each day we learn our Italian Lessons as we observe, absorb, and inquire:

• The best food is FRESH and SIMPLE. In Italy we have been eating produce that is in season, bread made that morning, cheese made within 2 days, and fresh herbs. We can name every ingredient on our plate and at times can see the field where it was produced.
• To cut the Italian way: fork in the left hand, cut one bite with the knife in the right hand, eat one bite, then repeat.
• Once you get used to eating dinner between 22:00 and midnight it seems early when someone suggests eating at 20:30.
• When driving: everyone has the right of way!
• Everyone drives a manual car and uses their bumpers
• When learning a language just try
• The key to the Mediterranean longevity is a combination of nourishment, less stress, and climate.
• ENJOY EACH MOMENT!

More on Paestum by Alex

We are often somewhat unsure exactly what we will be seeing each day. We were told we would be seeing some Greek and Roman ruins but none of us expected anything this spectacular. One minute you are walking past a resturaunt and the next you are seeing something that seems like its from another world. This happened to us a few days ago when we visited the ruins of Paestum.

The site consists of three Temples constructed by the Greeks after the founding of the city around 650 BC. One temple (the Acropolis) sits on the cities highest hill and is dedicated to the Goddess Athena, another temple is dedicated to Hera and the deity the third temple is dedicated to is uncertain. It could be another temple to Hera (Goddess of fertility) or to Poseidon(God of the Sea). Each temple is constructed in the same style with huge columns surrounding a rectangular enclosure which would have originally been closed to worshipers. Each temple would have had a wooden roof but those have not stood the test of time like the giant limestone blocks that make up the columns and temple floor.

The whole site is connected by ancient Roman roads. Really large stones sunk into the ground. While primitive now these roads were the lifeline of the Roman Republic and Empire allowing trade to flourish and troops to be quickly moved for defense.

The surrounding environs of the site are Roman (having torn down the Greek style houses after taking the city). One can see the remains of tombs, houses, the forum (open air public meeting place), amphitheater and even a swimming pool.

Paestum Rotary Club Banner Exchange

GSE Team Rotary banner exchange with the Rotary Club of Paestum, Italy. We were invited to speak to the club about our team. Although we had an interpreter available to assist, we all spoke Italian for the presentation.

The GSE pins, which feature an Italian/U.S. flag and Rotary symbol, are very popular items which we share with our Italian hosts and friends.

The Day of the Buffala...

Yesterday we spent the day experiencing the products of buffalo (buffala in Italian). Buffalo milk unlike the cow milk we are use to is a very important industry in Southern Italy. We started off our day touring a local farm with over 250 buffalo ranging from newborns to mature prize winners. It was amazing seeing their efficiency. We then went on to the mozzarella plant where they made, you guessed it, mozzarella made of buffalo milk or mozzarella buffala. If you have never had the opportunity to travel to this region than we recommend you disregard any thoughts you may have had on what “fresh mozzarella” may taste like. I don’t think any of us have ever had anything that even remotely compares to what we have had here and I am not sure if any of us will ever be able to look at mozzarella the same way again once we return to the states. Elisa being the agricultural enthusiast that she is did make a valid point…Why don’t the dairy farmers in our area specialize in cheese? We think there could be a market but maybe that is just us? Besides for the mozzarella we also had the chance to experience buffalo ice cream and even buffalo meat. The meat of course comes from the poor unfortunate animals that cannot produce milk. Apparently buffalo meat isn’t as popular as the milk however we still managed to find it on our plate at the end of the day. For whatever reason we found yesterday to be the “day of buffala” but we’re OK with that since I don’t think any of us were disappointed.

Mozzarella di Bufala, Campania, Italy

Andrew samples the fresh mozzarella di bufala and salad at La Basilica Cafe, Paestum, Italy (May 11, 2010)

Mozzarelli di Bufala served fresh at La Basilica Cafe, Paestum, Italy.

Bufala at the Bellelli Farm, Campania, Italy, May 11, 2010

Mr. Ettore Bellelli at the family owned Bellelli Farm, Campania, Italy, May 11, 2010. Ettore, a member of the Paestum Rotary Club, provided the GSE Team with a tour of the farm.

Making fresh Mozzarella di Bufala at the Azienda Agricola Casearia Barlotti, Campania, Italy.

The mozzarella di bufala manufacturing process is a popular educational and tourist attraction in Campania, Italy.

Paestum, Italy

The GSE team visits the ancient Greek temples of Paestum, Italy, courtesy of the Rotary Club of Paestum, on Tuesday, May 11

Look, Listen, Taste, Hear, Touch, Intuit

What do we do each day?

We adventure from sunrise to sunset so it is logical to wonder what we do in all of this time. A sample of our daily routine in the city:

Simple breakfast (la colazione) consisting of a pastry and coffee, typically a croissant with marmalade or chocolate and a cappuccino.

Each day we are hosted by a Rotary Club, who organize visits to cultural sights and/or their members’ places of work. Cultural sights include: churches, castles, museums, natural beauty, etc. Vocational sights are tailored to our particular interests; during our visits we have conversations about how we each practice our field, meet with colleagues, and tour facilities to see the infrastructure.

Between 13:00 and 15:00 we eat lunch, this meal will definitely vary by region. In Naples we had antipasto platters – mozzarella, articokes (sautéed in olive oil), and variety of fried treats (rice balls, potatoes, and zucchini) and pizza (typical toppings include tomato sauce, mozzarella, mushrooms, arugula, and proscuitto).

We continue in the afternoon with cultural and/or vocational sights, but also include a stop for a caffe, typically an espresso or macchiato, and occasionally a gelato - exemplary creaminess.

As the sun begins to set we return to our ‘homes’ to rest, shower, and dress more formally for the evening.

Around 20:30 (8:30 p.m.) we head to dinner. Dinner is at a Rotary meeting, with Rotarians, or with Rotaract members. Dinner consists of antipasto (similar to lunch), a pasta course (always freshly made), a meat course (fish is common here), and dessert (typically light cakes that the area is known for).

The evenings linger with conversations and perhaps a stroll afterwards.

By midnight dinner winds down and the pillows beckon us to rest for the upcoming day.

As we transition into some more rural areas we will see how the schedule and meals compare! We keep all of our senses opens to absorb the excitement of cultural exchange to see the differences between countries, regions, and even neighborhoods.

Ciro and Laura

Ciro Senatore, GSE Chair, District 2100, and his daughter Laura with Elisa during a brief stop along the beautiful coast of Italy.

Valentino!

The team with our Naples GSE coordinator, Valentino Valentini.

Rotaract Napoli Nord Est

Our Rotary club banner exchange with the Rotaract Club of Napoli Nord Est. (from left) Armando Caputi, president, Jeff Helsel, GSE team leader, and Sabrina Di Carluccio, GSE team Italia.

Buona festa della mamma! (Happy Mother's Day)

Naples, Italy, May 8, 2010.

Sunday Walk

Walking in the park after a Napolese lunch

Joy di Vivere

While driving the hillsides of Naples and Pozzouli we were discussing daily habits - hours of work, meals, spending time with friends and family, etc. Our new Italian friend told us the best lesson he has learned to this day is "Joy di Vivere" (the joy of living). He worked in Tanzania and he was amazed by the sheer joy of living amidst such supposed poverty. The lack of material possessions and struggle to meet daily needs was everywhere, but the spirit was strong because of the relationships between people. There was a deep gratitude to wake up and simply be together.

As we our on a journey of making new friends and sharing of experiences, it seems apt to reflect on the 'Joy di Vivere.' It is a great saying, but it is even better to intuit and live these words. Each day we see, hear, and taste many amazing things, but it is a joy to do these things because of the people we are with amidst this journey.

A day in Pozzuoli

The Rotary Club of Pozzuoli hosted the GSE team on May 6, 2010. (from left) Raffaello Mastrantuono, Tamara, Nicole, Bruno Lapicceralla, Elisa, Jeff, Alex, Lucio Marcello Falconio (Misha), Andrew. Photo by: Leandro Petracca

Elisa takes a swan dive into the bay....

(May 6, 2010, Pozzuoli) The GSE Team in Pozzuoli, Italy, from left, Andrew, Elisa, Alex, Nicole, Jeff.

Naples, Italy, May 5, 2010

Rotarian Nicola Forte and his son describe the historic sites of Naples.

Pizza! MMMmmmmmmm!

Rotarian Valentino Valentini shows us the sites of Naples.

Narrow streets, historic scenery, watch out for that scooter!

Both GSE teams fly to Italy.....

(Pittsburgh International Airport, May 4, 2010) Our GSE Team shared the flights to Italy with the Italian GSE Team. (pictured from left to right) Elisa, Elisa, Nicole, Sabrina, Alex, David, Andrew, Giuditta, Vittorio.

We Have Arrived-Nicole

Well we finally made it to Naples and we have sure been busy! The only problem is that we have been having a very hard time finding Internet access but hopefully we can fix that soon and update you on all that we have been up to over the past 48 hours or so. The trip has just started yet we have already done so much! Look forward to writing again but right now I must cut this short and continue socializing with more Italian Rotarians.

Arrivederci!