Aug-1993

Despite Anna being 6 months pregnant, we decide to travel to Italy with my parents in August of 1993.  As my wife’s parents were already in Rome during that time, it was a great opportunity to meet in their home country.  As I’m writing the blog 26 years later, several events are still quite clear as others are completely forgotten that only looking at past photos trigger faint memories.

With every Italy trip, the usual first stop for tourists, in that area of town, was the famous Monte Cassino Monastery.  Perched high in the mountains, it was heavily bombarded during World War II.  Being very  close to my parent’s village, stories of how they lived through it surely was interesting to hear. To honor over 1000 Polish soldiers that died during the assault, the city has maintained the cemetery which sees their share of visitors.

From the onset, all my relatives seemed to be more relaxed and followed a poised routine.  Stress, from an outsider, seemed to not exist as every local had truly no concept of time.  Their pass time was to enjoy every moment, attend ritual café gatherings and all with the philosophy that what can’t be done today will be continued tomorrow.  This was so different from my Canadian culture and the North American busy lifestyle.  One could easily get acclimated to their living regiment.

The nightly routine would be to visit different family members and recount stories while seated around their porch listening to the sounds of crickets.  At times we’d even sit on parked mopeds as if riding 100 kilometers per hour.

We attend my cousin Christina’s wedding and were amazed on how the same culture was brought to Canada when our parents migrated.  Food, more food, topped with more food was served.  What a great tradition. There village is so tiny that the bride and its guests would simply walk to the church.

We continue our tourist visit to La  Montagna Spaccata and Sperlonga Beach.  Two beautiful areas with gorgeous landscape.  With Anna being pregnant, we had to be careful with the locations and altitude we’d venture to.

On our 2nd year wedding anniversary, 31st of August 1993, we decide to drive to Rome to meet Anna’s parents who were staying at her aunts Sister Laura’s monastery.  The highway driving passed fairly quickly, however the trouble in finding her convent was extremely challenging.  From many locals not abiding the street signs, to others making up their own, one had to develop the philosophy of when in Rome, do like the Romans.

After lunch in the convent, we visit all the top attractions that Rome had to offer. While my father-in-law  rode statue lions, my father waved  from inside the Roman Coliseum.

Time has surely passed and looking at the pictures spark up so many emotions. In remembering clearly on how proud both parents were speaking of their birth country; a country they  had to ultimately flee from for a brighter future.

As the day was winding down, we continue to a few more sites and bid our farewell.

We head back to Cassino for the few remaining days and complete a great family vacation.  More pictures are taken with family members that will serve as great memories.

Aug-1993