Two Guys & a Car in Italy (Part 3)

So we have left the Mediterranean coast of Italy and are heading inland toward the home towns of Joe’s parents. It’s going to be a fairly long drive without stopping, and with Joe doing all of the driving thankfully, I was in charge of the music. While Joe and I could certainly keep conversation going, we both enjoyed sitting back sometimes and taking in the scenery while listening to some tunes. Oh, I was also in charge of snacks!

As time went on and I had to program music for a few hours a day, it became a great challenge to get creative. Joe and I grew up in the New Wave and punk era, but you can exhaust those sounds after a couple of hours. I love the Ramones, Clash and Sex Pistols, but it did start to seem out of place from the countryside scenery that surrounded us. I started coming up with triple plays(3 songs from the same artist) or songs whose’ title had a person’s name, even songs about weather. He would often challenge me to find some obscure artist and I got him every time. By the last couple of days I was playing the latest hits in Italy and began to use that to better my knowledge of the language. Of course I would have to sing my order for a “small pistachio gelato please!”

Our next stop would be Joe’s fathers home town of Quaglietta. To say it’s a small town might be an understatement. Let’s say on any given rushhour morning there are probably more people in two cars of the A train in NYC. As of 2011 the population was 443. I’m sure everyone knew everyone and their business in this town. As we rolled in, we stopped at one of Joe’s Aunts home, who of course was cooking up a storm at 11AM in the morning.

After a couple of espressos and biscotti it was off to explore. Joe wanted us to take a hike up to the castle to see what it was like. After meeting with the curator of the town and its beautiful quaint church we were told the castle was gated and locked, and we probably weren’t going to get the key.

Well I’m not sure if you’ve already gotten the gist of my friend Joe’s personality. He wasn’t going to take no for an answer so easily.

We strolled into the center of the town. After showing me the street he would play in as a child visiting Italy in the summers, we came across the town benches. I have to tell you this was like a scene out of movie. I’ll let the next couple of pictures paint the story.

To this day I’m not really sure what Joe said or did but somehow, some way, someone came up with the keys to let us up into the castle. When Joe said the words ” we’re going in” I can’t explain it, but it was as if I was going to get a tour of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. I was 10 years old again, hanging with a buddy and sneaking into something and someplace where I wasn’t supposed to be. At my age that conjures up memories of childhood and innocence that had long been put to bed, but now were awakened. What were we going to see? How far could we climb up into it? Would we discover some secret? Some treasure? OK Chris, get a grip.

It really couldn’t have been a more perfect day. It was warm and sunny, but ideal temperature and humidity for a climb (yes, I’m still a weather guy). The castle was certainly left unattended for awhile, but a project to refurbish it and turn it into a tourist experience had begun in spots. The funds coming mainly from Italians in the US were running low, so things had slowed. As we climbed we came across many little rooms that were often in piles of old rubble. Some had old fresco paintings on the walls, which was amazing just trying to imagine who did this and when, and what the world was like when it was done.

Needless to say this experience was something that was a huge step in helping me realize there was so much more life to live and experience. Through friendship and love I was allowing myself to feel good things again. I started my healing process in earnest at this point. I had much more to do in life and it was ok for me to feel this way.

I’m going to leave it here for now. If you’ve gotten this far there is a little more to come on this journey. I thank you for following along. Sunshine always.