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.