Five of the men in our family (Tony (dad), Tony (s0n), Steve, David (son-in-law) and Bruce (nephew)) went to Rome last week for an 8-day visit with relatives. They had a grand time...just the men. They were hosted by Tony's first cousin, Maria Giaccaglia and her husband at their 
home in Rome. They took a "Hop-On/Hop-Off" bus tour of the city, spent some time exploring a few special spots, visited some cafes, the Vatican, Villa D'Este at Tivoli, went to Tony's birth-town (Lettomanopello) where they were excorted on a grand tour by non other than the mayor himself. They also spent one day and night with another cousin in Rosciano, then back to Rome. Abruzzi (Lettomanopello and Rosciano are in the province of Abruzzi) is about a 3-hour drive from Rome. They also got a special gift of elegant sunglasses from cousins who own an eye-glass factory, and were treated to a special 'good-bye' dinner in a little hillside town outside of Rome with a spectacular vista overlooking Rome at night. Since Rome has no skyscrapers, the view of a golden-lit city was one to remember.
home in Rome. They took a "Hop-On/Hop-Off" bus tour of the city, spent some time exploring a few special spots, visited some cafes, the Vatican, Villa D'Este at Tivoli, went to Tony's birth-town (Lettomanopello) where they were excorted on a grand tour by non other than the mayor himself. They also spent one day and night with another cousin in Rosciano, then back to Rome. Abruzzi (Lettomanopello and Rosciano are in the province of Abruzzi) is about a 3-hour drive from Rome. They also got a special gift of elegant sunglasses from cousins who own an eye-glass factory, and were treated to a special 'good-bye' dinner in a little hillside town outside of Rome with a spectacular vista overlooking Rome at night. Since Rome has no skyscrapers, the view of a golden-lit city was one to remember. Oh, yes, Steve lost his luggage on arrival, it was returned to him the day before they left to come home. Fortunately, he and Ivo are the same size, so he was wonderfully dressed for the week.
Then....in Chicago, at customs, the worst part. David was held up for 1 1/2 hours and interrogated about his passport. They kept asking him where he was born, checking the computer, then asking again. Apparently his name is too common, and there are probably thousands of David Andersons in their data base. Bruce, too, was 'flagged' for extra inspection and questioning because of a carefully bubble-wrapped stone that he had in his baggage (from the family home in Lettomanopello). Sooooo, they missed their connecting flight, were re-scheduled and got back to Mendon at 1 am, a little tired, but happy from their whirl-wind trip.
David with Giulia...(Giulia will spend next school year with us.)
David, Steve, Bruce
Dejana (Bosnian exchange student of the Giaccaglias) with Tony in a cafe.
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The house is being painted, and we have a new screen door at the back entrance. Today we are grooming the gardens and yard. Peas and lettuces are up, lettuce looks like another week or two will bring first salads. Other seeds are going into the ground on the assumption that we'll not have any more frosts (generally we consider ourselves 'safe' from frosts after Memorial Day).Phew!
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