Journey of Transformation;experiencing some of my family's Italian traditions…

Here I am in the village that my parents grew up in meeting a cousin for the first time. A real childlike emotion overcame me, I imagined my parents running around the cobbled streets with their friends, laughing, playing in the fields, coming back from their farm on the back of a donkey…

I yearned to experience a little of the life that my parents had, the differing family expectations, the celebrations, the way of life, and also meet up with my Italian family…

On Sunday after my arrival, my cousin’s son was having his First Holy Communion, which in Italy is a very notable occasion.  When we arrived in Mafalda, where the ceremony was being held, the church was overflowing with people.

As a result Sergio & Daniela decided to take me to my Dad’s old family farm house, here the air was crisp, and the scenery incredible for as far as the eyes could see there were olive groves, vineyards, rolling hills…breathtaking.

After we soaked in the serenity and beauty we went to the Restaurant where we met my family for lunch.  Well this in itself was an experience; remember that we started to eat at 1pm….

We commenced the day with Antipasto that was laid out on a table as we entered the restaurant, then it was time to sit down, another Antipasto was placed in front of us, delicious and enjoyed every mouthful, then out came Spinach and Ricotta Crispelle, enjoyable (for me a little rich), then I noticed other people being served spaghetti??? Sure enough we then get served a bowl of spaghetti as well…and it is now 3pm.

We get up and walk around a little Sergio is having so much fun with the young boys, taking them for “safari” drives in his Defender…lots of giggles, laughs and fun had by all.

Then out comes another dish of veal with porcini mushroom sauce, once again delicious, here I am thinking that it is nearing the end!!! Wrong, a little while later we are served with roast lamb, potatoes and salad….my stomach is ready to pop…

No wait there’s more, now out comes the fresh strawberries, homemade Italian biscuits, then the First Holy Communion cake, which really was delicious, a type of Mille Fuille (puff pastry sheets with Italian custard cream in between each sheet)…YUMMY.

The time is now are you ready for this!!!!

9.30 pm, we have been eating, drinking, laughing, talking and having fun for over 8 hours.

This is what we have missed being brought up in Australia, the traditions, I loved the experience and know that I will have this day as one of the incredible memories of my journey…