What a magnificent day. We spent it in Passagno, a town I have longed to visit my whole life and especially since we arrived in Italy. My Nonna and Nonno were born here and I grew up listening to stories about this blessed place. Francesco, Sara and Sara's mother Marina (a lovely surprise), came from Padua to take us to see their first cousin Alessandro. Their mothers were sisters. Their grandmother was my nonna's sister Theresa, who stayed here in Padua. I think she was the only one who stayed in Italy in the end. Alessandro also lives in Padua but holidays in Possagno each year in my Nonna's house. His father renovated it some years ago and its lovely. Alessandro was so warm and welcoming. "I am happy to serve you" he said when we arrived. He was just divine and his English was pretty good so the conversation flowed and he had much to tell us about the house and my family history. He served us an aperitif similar to the spritz we've be inhaling and some crisps which the kids promptly munched down. We all sat around the dining table and he spoke so fondly of the visits from mum and dad and Lisa and David. He proudly gave us a tour, including my Nonna's bedroom and then showed us some beautiful hand crafted chairs by my Nonna's father that are still in mint condition. They must have been 100 years old. I felt emotional but a sense of belonging, which probably came more from their warmth and fuss they were making. Gorgeous Vittorino and Elizabetta live next door. Vittorino's father and my Nonna were first cousins. He couldn't speak any English but he had much to say. I think he thought I could understand every word, so he just kept talking. Sara was very busy translating. He was divine and happy and they reminded me of a couple from Griffith. They hosted lunch at their house next to Vittorino's vegie patch bursting with tomatoes, zucchini's and lettuce. First came the mini pizza's and bread, then the prosciutto and melon, pasta, meat, cheese, tomatoes, carciofi (I had to restrain) and salad from the garden. Beautiful Elizabetta had gone to so much trouble and she worked hard to bring it to the table in the heat. Rick and I got busy eating and her efforts were much appreciated. After lunch came the home made grappa's and limoncello and dessert. The kids were a little restless from all the sitting (and soft drink), so they started to play hide and seek in the garden. Vittorino went to his workshop and pulled out some antique bicciclettas (bicycles) and the kids were in heaven. Zachie played on a gorgeous old gogo car that Vittorino had restored. He was a Mr Fixit and had a few homemade delights including an external cellar accessed by a lift that in Australia would be deemed a health hazard. Rick loved it along with his collection of rustic antiques (pots, butter churner, coffee grinder). It was a splendid lunch and the conversation flowed with much translation by gorgeous Sara and Francesco. We headed up to the Tempio which is like a mini Pantheon only not so mini. It is the church of the locals built by famous Canova in 1819 and it was breathtaking. If it had been in Roma it would be swarming with tourists, but instead we had it all to ourselves. My Nonno's family were caretakers here for many years, so it was very special to see. Again Vittorino had much to say about the history of the church. I could only nod and wait for Alessandro and Sara to translate. On to the much anticipated "via Biron", aka Biron street and I couldn't stop smiling. We had the obligatory photo underneath that Alessandro said my parents and sister did the same. The kids thought it was pretty cool. Back to Nonna's house for a final refreshment and a quick hello to Elizabetta's mother (93) who had met mum and dad. Despite being born in America, she couldn't speak a word of English, so again obliging Sara translated. We saw photo's of mum and dad from their visit in 1996, and Eizabetta spoke so fondly of them (in Italian) but I got the gist of what she was saying. Vittorino gave me a lovely plaque of the Tempio and we said our fond farewells. I hope to see them again one day. Francesco, Marina and Sara then took us back to Bassano for some pizza. We saw the famous bridge built by the Alpini's and wandered through the streets trying to find a restaurant. All but one were closed as tomorrow is a party and they were resting up. The pizza's were good and Max had his first Hawaiian pizza in Italy (specially made because Sara could request it in Italian). Georgio joined us and the kids suddenly had enough energy to stay out for a gelato. It was a beautiful day and had to say goodbye. They have treated us like royalty and made us feel so welcome and important. Marina couldn't speak any English but she listened and tried to be involved as much as she could. It was very special. Sara is hopeful to come to Australia next year, and Alessandro the year after. I hope they do and we can return the hospitality. We stumbled into bed at midnight and I felt very happy to be Italiano (well sort of).
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