Wednesday, March 23, 2011

ITALY REVISITED




A good friend that I've had for quite a few years recently returned from a trip to Italy with his cousin.  He was able to return to his grandfather's hometown and meet some of his relatives and cousins for the very first time. He is a very sharp and funny guy who remembers every detail and has a keen appreciation for things that your average tourist might miss. His account of the trip was intriguing - but his wit and humor, along with TONS of photos, made it all come alive.
This temple is actually a fairly recently excavated Greek edifice built just below the town his family hails from. He also found out that he is descended from these Greeks that settled there.....he had one fascinating revelation after another. Reminds me of that TV program "Who Do You Think You Are?"  Pretty cool!

He was thoughtful enough to capture this chair - he said he knew when he saw it that he needed to snap a photo of it for me!

 

He attended the New Year's Eve Mass at St. Peter's which wasn't exactly a low-key affair....



He even got close enough to get a great picture of the Pope in his distinctive ride.


He didn't forget the "Umbrella Pines" of Rome - I love these trees!  Seeing his photos made me want to go back again and now that I've found I have some family roots in Lucca, it would make another trip to Italy even more interesting. Andiamo!

10 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh ....I too want to return to Italy....I threw those coins in the Trevi Fountain.....hope it happens soon....smiles.

Kirsten Steen said...

Roots in Lucca? Lucky you! Beautiful shots. While I like the Friday nite show, "Who Do You Think You Are?", I really LOVE Henry Louis Gates' series on ancestry on PBS, both of them. They have given me a pull to study my ancestry that I've never felt before. But the time involved is daunting! Anyway, thanks for sharing these. Beautiful Greek temples!
Kirsten

Sarah B said...

Italy is such an amazing country I have only visited once, over 12 years ago and will never forget it. St Peters is incredible. I remember being told that those letters on the gold in the interior image you posted are as tall as a man.
Finding out you have some Italian heritage is a great excuse to plan a holiday :)

lisaroy said...

Great photos! How exciting to meet relatives and experience Italy from such a personal perspective. Happy Wednesday! Xo

Claudia Lane said...

Oh Anne, the last image takes me back to my youth... I was born in Rome and I just adore seeing pics of my home town...such beauty, such charm...Thanks for taking me back there for a few minutes tonight...:))
xo

The enchanted home said...

Stunning pictures that make me want to return to Italy..such a beautiful and inspiring country. I can't believe how close he was to get that great picture of the Pope! Neat..thanks for sharing!

Acanthus and Acorn said...

Anne,
Wonderful photos! I never knew what these trees were called...dubbed the broccoli trees by me...I was facinated with them and took several pics from a 2005 trip!

Sarah said...

Anne, what fabulous pix, especially the Pope...I LOVED Italy and would love to go back someday in the not too distant future. Great food, friendly people and beautiful scenery! :))

Kate Coveny Hood said...

I haven't been to Italy in seven years (and I haven't been to Rome in 15!) I SO want to go back again...

Irene said...

How wonderful!
I very much want to visit Magna Grecia. Maybe you could ask your friend to guest post, and then you could be inspired to create some lovely renderings.

Wishing you a perfect weekend.

 
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