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| Area Towns | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Back in LaRocca we drove through the narrow streets as Horst interpreted Antonio's tidbits about different buildings and history of the area. Along the way people stopped to speak to Antonio who seemed to know everyone, and we surely got the impression that he was well liked. We learned that Horst's brother delivers bread from one of the towns below, because there is no longer a bakery to make bread. I told Horst I was sad about my grandfather's town not having a bakery, and if I baked good Italian bread I would move there and open one... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| We drove to and around the towns of Caramanico Terme, San Valentino and San Tomasso, where we visited churches. I thought it a very humbling experience to visit churches older than anything we have in the United States. Antonio was rich with historical knowledge and it was obvious to me that Italians love their churches We entered the very beautiful early 12th-13th century Church of San Tomasso near Caramanico... |
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| Typical village street in the mountains of Abruzzo | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| The main portal was magnificent with carvings of Christ and the Apostles. Above the carvings was an ancient fresco. Antonio told us a story about one column inside that was visibly unique and different from the others, and how it was miraculously hoisted onto it's resting-place. We ventured down into the crypt directly underneath the main altar. I was awe-struck at this church, but the one thing that stood out above the rest was a life-size, realistic statue of Christ laid out in a glass coffin with a statue of the blessed Virgin Mary "guarding" over Him. It was splendid and I told Horst that I have never witnessed anything of it's kind in America. He explained that it is a part of their religious culture in Italy, and is very commonplace... I was so envious of both his knowledge and residence, and I imagined living in one of the small towns we visited... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learn about the church in San Tomasso | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Crypt under main altar | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Main Portal of S. Tomasso Church with ancient fresco resting above the carvings | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Speaking of gelato... Both Horst and Antonio told us that the town where Horst lives has the very best gelato in the entire area, and did we want to visit and have some. "Absolutely!" We arrived next to the gelateria where there were no parking spaces available. Antonio pulled up behind a few cars in what appeared to be the middle of a side street and turned off the ignition. Of course I asked about the parking and was told "this is the way we park in Italy." Both Pamela and I had a good chuckle - there was no need to worry about a parking ticket from roving policemen. So very unlike city life in America... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| We entered the quaint La Gelateria di San Valentino, a charming little shop complete with tables, chairs and video games. This little ice cream shop was so unique, and unlike any "Baskin Robbins" I've patronized! Several young boys from the town were playing games and I felt like a child all over again, giggling in anticipation. I asked Antonio which flavor was the favorite, and I ended up with two different scoops on a cone which was different from the one's I was used to at Baskins... Hands down - this was the best gelato or ice cream I'd ever had the pleasure of eating, and we four adults sat around our table licking our gelato, savoring the taste and the moment. Pamela and I tried to work out a way we could take some back to America before it melted! I tried to get my bearings on how each town we visited related to each other, geographically, and because of the language barrier Antonio drew a map on a napkin illustrating the area for me. I still have that little napkin and I imagine I always will. |
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| Antonio's illustration of the towns | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| While we enjoyed our gelato we taught Horst the word "yummy" and I don't think it's a word he'll soon forget. It was a long day filled with wonder as our hosts kept us out touring till well after dark. My heart was warmed by their commitment to show us what we came to experience, and they knew without a doubt, "This is why I came..." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| San Valentino in Snow - I just received this photo today (02/01) from Horst who lives in San Valentino. He hasn't been able to get to Roccamorice with his car due to the heavy snow they had, so he hoped this would be almost as good. I think it's just as good! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Next ~ My Family | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Train ~ Arriving ~ Tholos ~ Hermitage ~ My Family ~ Back in USA ~ Roma ~ Roma II Roma III ~ Venezia ~ Venezia II ~ Venezia III ~ Journey II ~ Tribute ~ About Me ~ Links ~ Email Me Washington DC ~ Home |
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