June 1 - July 12, 2016 Carema, Picciano and Bari

June 2016 Carema, Picciano and Bari and part of July

This photo is of Picciano, Italy taken on the drive back to Bari. Maria spent the night here with her family and Natalina and I went on up the road a short ways to her brother's home in Pescara. More about this later, but first here are the photo's of and near Carema.

No hillside is wasted. They grow grapes and olives everywhere here in Italy. These were taken in Pont-Saint-Martin in the Aosta Valley. These were the views from my Hotel room balcony.

My Hotel... well back side of it

Directly behind the hotel, they were building a new house... very interesting how they build here as compared to the USA.

Construction began in 1883 on a rock overlooking the ancient burg, by Pietro Annibale Baraing, one of the most important figures in Pont-Saint-Martin. It was built in neo-gothic style, according to the style of the era, and was surrounded by a large garden with greenhouses and fountains. Construction was completed in 1893. In 1931 it was donated to the municipality of Pont-Saint-Martin, which turned it into the town hall.

The Pont-Saint-Martin is a Roman segmental arch bridge in the Aosta Valley in Italy dating to the 1st century BC

Many ancient castle ruins in this area as seen high atop this 'hill'.

After we all got checked into our respective hotels/B&B's, we went to Romolo's.

Mariano Piccolo and his Giant candy bar

 Danny's sharing it 

Maria & Romolo's

Daniele giving back massages to several.

We had four wonderful days together here. Most are just random people shots.

Anita transporting soup from the kitchen

Also Jess

which we all then proceeded to happily eat

Radu and Angi's father

Daniele

David and Ralf

Lena and Messie from Switzerland

Allyson Whyte and Giuliana Bellone

At five o'clock, we have drinks and biscuits with just an hour break before the last meeting of the day starting at 6pm. After the last meeting, is when we have dinner at 7:30.

In the evenings after dinner, many of us would go down the block to the local Gelato shop and sit and visit and eat gelato! During these days we would generate a fare amount of business for them ☺ These photos taken over the course of a few nights... just lumped them all together.

Was so nice to get to meet this family from America! They have spent a few months in Spain and are on their return to USA, but making a few stops first visiting other countries.

Matt & Kerry Accola and family from Seattle.

Accola's and Victor & Michela and Lorenzo (originally from Romania but now living in Venice) I will be seeing them again soon at the end of July when I spend the weekend with them.

Jessica is from Australia, but working as a Nanny in Switzerland. The little girl she cares for is with her here.

Joan & Ian from Ireland (I stayed with them in March) and Marcy Pettypiece from Vancouver, Canada

Christelle on right from Switzerland.

Lorenzo. Adorable little guy.

Jess again, and a young man from Ireland

Resco's from Kansas. Traveling in Germany and made a detour to the north of Italy ☺

Heidi Resco from Kansas and I

Mariano here in Italy and Dan Nejely from Arizona/Calif.

Victor and Michela from Romania, but living in Venice for a few years now.

Me, Messie and Christelle

Sonia and Adrian originally from Australia, lived in Italy for about five years, then moved to London, England. I spent some time with them when I was there in April.

Geta, from Romania, but living here in Italy near Livorno.

Daniele came up from Bari with Mariano and I. Jasmin is from Switzerland.

The Kitchen crew, Sonia & Adrian, Georgeta, May Chambers and Ian Black and the two ladies in red shirts are M? and her sister. Sorry I don't know how to spell her name, but I think it is spelled Medal, but pronounced differently. However, I have been wrong a few times, and this is probably one of them!

Peter Zurcher from Czech Republic and Graham Snow from Germany

It is quite sad to think this was the last convention her at Carema after 60 years.

Sunday evening after most had left, those of us remaining, after supper, sat around and sang a while, then Allyson, Dan and others shared some of their experiences. Marcy playing a tune for us.

Saying our goodbyes on Monday, those of us who left the next day. Getting the white sheet treatment ☺

Bye Bye Carema

Monday morning June 6th I took a car with Natalina and Maria and we headed south toward Picciano & Pescara. Also on this day, my thoughts were in California... my second daughter's 41st birthday. 

Taken near Pescara, Italy on the return drive to Bari

We arrived here in the early evening. We stopped in Picciano first. After leaving Maria at Picciano, Natalina and I went to her brother Donato's place just up the road in Pescara.

Natalina's brother, Donato, sleeping while Anita was making dinner. He has not been too well.
Their home here in Pescara. Donato built this home himself. This is where Natalina and I spent the night.

The next morning, around 10am we left to go back to Picciano where Maria was staying with her family.

Here her sister-n-law had prepared lunch for us.

Then Maria and Elisa took me around to show me all the things here, where the original Italy convention was, having started in 1949 here. Last conv. here in 1997?  It is now at Petacciato for the last 19 years?? (not sure about the number of years). Had a nice visit with them about the original convention here in Picciano. This was my first time to visit this area, so was very special for me to get to see it and hear the story of it.

Maria's family home

Elisa's family home, where Elisa is now staying, as she is not so well now.

The original convention here in Italy was at Picciano. This is one of the early workers photos taken there. I took a picture of the photo Elisa had.

This was the view from the house there in Picciano. From this convention, is where Maria Sigismondo, Natalina Degl'Innocenti, Elisa di Pentima and her brother Pasquale lived and started in the work. Elisa professed here and was baptized the next day. She has now been in the work for over 60 years.

This house across on the other hill is where the brothers stayed during the conv. It has since been turned into a 'chicken house'.

This tiny kitchen is where they prepared food for two hundred people or more.

Elisa showing me 'how it used to be'

Now back in Bari on Tuesday evening, June 7th. I have an early morning appointment tomorrow with the Questura for my Permesso renewal. I brought the car into the city with me after I dropped Maria and Natalina off at Caputo's. I needed to unload all my traveling things. Wed. I will be going to Caputo's anyway, so will take it instead of the bus.

Sunday, June 12th. This chalk board was Aurora's creation... so cute. She was doing this just before the meeting, then when she hung it, here is what it said, "yes/no" for who would be in the meeting this morning. Marco was in the USA for work near Detroit, Michigan, this day and would actually be returning late this evening. She didn't have all the names on here, but interesting how children's minds work.

Was I ever glad to see these kids again. Seems like every time I am gone for a few days, they grow and grow.. especially Davide.

My Italian 'grandkids'

Back to Bari and my usual... well always something a bit different...

Freda was not back yet, after leaving from Carema on the 6th, Freda was gone to Russia etc., so while she was gone, on Tuesday evenings, I would catch the bus to Caputo's and pick up the car and Natalina and Maria and we would go to Capurso. Since Natalina and Maria were staying at Caputo's, I would return them and the car there, then catch the bus back into town. I could have taken the car into town with me, and used it to come back the next evening, as I would be coming for the bible study, however, parking is so difficult to find in the city and also very expensive. It was just easier for me to take the bus, even though, it took me many hours in total more. Freda is back now, and Natalina and Maria are staying with her in the bach, but this added a level of difficulty for transportation, as now, it would be necessary to take the bus out of town, get the car, take the car back into town, pick up the ladies, go to Capurso, return the ladies to the city, return the car to Caputo's, then catch the bus back into the city and walk the 20 minutes home. After analyzing this for a half day, Freda and I both finally decided to simplify and just have Mario pick them up and bring them home!!! And people ask me what I do with all my time!!

Now, however, today, as I am typing this, it is from the Caputo's. Freda and Maria went to Manfredonia for the weekend and Natalina is staying at Caputo's again. Then the Caputo's all decided to go to Napoli, so now I am here at their place staying with Natalina. One thing I can say for sure... it is definitely cooler here than in the city! It has really gotten hot here and so very humid!

The rest of the month was all the usual for me, with the exception, I am planning to do a bit of traveling in the next couple of months, so have been extra busy getting sorted out for that and making all the necessary arrangements to cover for six weeks and of coordinating stops and visits here in Italy, and also with the other ladies who are coming to travel with me... so lots of 'skyping' and messages. Who knew having 'fun' could require so much work!

During this time, my Permesso needs to be renewed, so I had my Questura appointment early this time (June 8th). Good thing too, as I needed to take care of some things before it expires in August. As usual by the time I was done this day with the Questura, it took most of the day. I had an appointment and an assigned time, however, doesn't mean much here. Then I had to go to the city hall and get another paper and another long wait. The rest of what I needed has taken me a whole month already to get sorted out... hope I get it before I leave on 13th... If not... hmmmm not sure, since I won't be back until after my expiration date.

In addition, I will need to renew the contract on my apartment, so was busy with making sure it was all cleaned and presentable before I leave. I have needed to do some decorating and sewing (had to sew a tail on my curtains, because when I washed them they shrank about 6 inches! This 'tail' fabric that I used is an old table cover from Carema and I love it! Gives me a great memory of Carema. There were four of these curtains and I sewed it all by hand, so took a stitch or two.)

 Did some other shopping as well, as I definitely needed some personal touches here, some photos and frames, wall pictures, bedding for my bed, small cupboard for the kitchen, hall table and lots of fans! Definitely got my walking and arm exercise from finding and carrying these things home. One of my excursions was to IKEA where Lili picked me up and helped me bring things home and up to my apartment.

I will put pictures of my travels in the frames on the sides there, and I have lots and lots, however, will have to take new ones now, since the ones I have are mostly the other direction! Imagine... I will have to take more photos... such a challenge for me... hee hee

Liliana picked up the glass cupboard at IKEA for me and delivered it at my house on her way to work at 7:30. I had the coffee on! She loves my coffee and I have sent a thermos of it to her work before, so now they want her to take some every time she comes.

Here are some random shots of lights I installed, photos, etc. 

Seems like I am collecting WAY too much stuff again though... I really do like living simply!!

My street where my apartment is located. All the trees are in bloom and it looks so lovely and smells so nice.

On the 16th was Cristina's birthday, so she and I had a ladies day. She got a massage and we both had mani/pedi's, then a bit of shopping, lunch out and then gelato! Marco and his mom kept the children this day, so Cristina had a complete day without kids. Rare happening for sure! Happy B'day Cristina!

Then Sunday lunch at Caputo's as usual July 3rd

 

Sweet sweet Davide. I love him to bits!

Then Sunday evening at Mafalda's for Italian homemade Calzones! 

Tonia taste testing

Marco, Natalina, Maria, Freda

 Peno, Tonia, Mafalda, Giacinto

sweet Aurora

 Maria, Freda, Luigi, Mariella, Davide, Cristina

Freda, Luigi, Marco, Cristina

July 8th, Lili is working a twenty minute walk away from me, so came and joined me for lunch... however, it was a very hot walk. Lucky for her, that even though I don't have A/C, I now am the proud owner of 10 fans... not a mistake folks... count them... 10! Every room and hall, and then a few! I had made a zucchini lasagna, which we both enjoyed. Then I sent a thermos of coffee back to work with her ☺

July 9th. I am at Caputo's today with Natalina, but brought my computer, so I could work on this blog. Want to give a Happy Birthday wish to both my sister (56) and my cousin (63) on this date. I will spend the night here, as I don't expect them home until late, and also, I just have to come back early in the morning anyway, so might just as well stay over. Besides, it is cooler here!

July 10th, after church today, Marco and Luigi brought me home today. Told everyone goodbye... won't see them again for a few weeks. Really going to miss Davide... he grows and changes so quickly. Cristina, please send photos!

July 11th Liliana came for lunch again today, and helped me talk with Vodafone and Wind to get my phone sorted out for traveling. Don't want to have the same difficulty I had with it in Ireland and England. Today, I got my packing finished and bed sheets washed. Then did my daily hour+ swim at the beach too. Getting a bit tan, but that is good; at least I don't have to worry about getting burned when I get on the cruise.

July 12th , which is tomorrow, I will do all  the last minute stuff. Also, hopefully I get my document this day, as I really need to take it to the Questura before I leave. Since I am posting this blog on the 11th, I will update this date and also the 13th later. Just wanted to get this posted before I leave.

July 13th... Flying to Barcelona, Spain today. Meeting great friends from Canada and we go cruising! Getting excited! Really looking forward to traveling with friends.
My Itinerary:
Back to back cruises, (a 9 day and an 11 day). Four of us on the first cruise, then we have to say goodbye to Angharad and Myla in Venice. From there, Juanita and I will do a second cruise for 11 days to Greece, Turkey, etc. As soon as we get back from this one, we will spend a few days in Florence, then we are off to Petacciato for a week. Juanita will be with me until Aug. 23rd! Yeah!

Next blog will be of my travels and I'm sure a few thousand more photos ☺ hee hee