Back to where it all began for Lauri.....Vizzini....his parent's home town.....

This morning we drove down to Vizzini, the town where Lauri's family came from. It is a farming town, surrounded by fields and some market gardens. And very, very old! So much like a lot of the lovely old towns and villages we have seen so far. With cobblestone roads and tiny terraced houses built on the side of the hills. Just gorgeous! There are many many steps as you wind your way up and down the village. It was a much larger place than we had thought though. When we arrived it was about 12.30 and quite sleepy in the main piazza. Very quiet! By the time we left though it was about 7pm and the town was busy, people everywhere, shopping, chatting, driving, eating!

First of all we went to huge church which dominates the whole town and is visible from almost everywhere. San Giovanni di Battista was the church where Lauri's parents were married. It is a beautiful church, but unfortunately it was locked so we could not have a look around it. We then made our way down the winding road of Via D'Afnica where Lauri's mother lived as a girl. We think we found the right house, number 14. We had seen it on the Internet before we left home. But when we get back we may find out it was not it! We'll see! Anyway the house was lovely, painted a pale yellow, and overlooked the fields below. As we were taking some photos of it a woman came out on to the balcony of the next house and asked if we needed any help...in English...and in an Australian accent!!!! We were gobsmacked! We explained to her why we were looking at the house, and she said yes that the Giarrusso family used to live there. She was such a lovely lady and very helpful and friendly. Turns out that Maria grew up in Ascot Vale!!! But she then married and returned to Vizzini when she was about 20 in the 70's, and has lived there ever since. All the rest of her family, her parents and siblings remained in Australia and she goes back often. But she said that she loves it here in Vizzini and this is her home. She has 3 children and they all prefer it here. Very surprising that after more than 30 years she still has her Australian accent! She even invited us up for a coffee, which we would have but we were a little pressed for time to see everything.

We then walked up to the tiny little house where Lauri's aunt Nella had lived. She died 8 years ago and her husband had died before her. They had no children so the house is left there deserted, which is quite sad. We had the keys to it so went up the steps to the door... And suddenly a couple of old Nonnas appeared on the balconies opposite!! And proceeded to give Lauri the Spanish Inquisition! Who are we? What are we doing there? Why don't you ever visit here in 50 years? On and on went the questions!! Lauri kept his cool though and joked around with them. They would laugh along with him but they were also just a couple of gossiping old Nonnas who would have been letting everyone know we had been there within 5 minutes.

Eventually we got into the house, it was like time had stood still. Things left on the table. Photos on the dresser. Was a bit dusty but not too bad. Just two rooms and a kitchen - well almost a kitchen! We had expected it to be unrepairable but it would not take too much to do up a bit. We thought it would even be good to do up and people from the family could stay for a few weeks if they wanted- but probably not while the old signoras next door were still there, they would do your head in I think! After we had left we were just up the road and were suddenly chased down by a guy wanting to know if we wanted to sell the place! He probably wanted to get it for a couple of thousand euros... No idea what it would be worth but certainly not much I would think. Anyway Lauri took his name and number and said he would speak to his mother when we got back home.

Later we came back and went up to the Rocca Madonna just up the road for dinner which was delicious.