So, what you should first know about Mola Di Bari is that this town is where my grandparents are from. I have extended family still living there, and it has been my dream to visit since I was small.
My uncle and I left Saturday morning and it's about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Pozzuoli. Once we got there I was embraced by Giuseppe, my grandma's cousin. I remember meeting him at a wedding in New York. He is a vivacious man with a lot of spirit and love. We followed him up to his aunt's (Zia Giovanna) apartment.
Zia is 90+ years old. She saw me and immediately started crying and repeating, "You look just like your mom" (in Italian of course). Needless to say, it was a VERY emotional moment.
Giuseppe took my uncle, Luigi, and myself out for wine and little appetizers. We drove around the town of Mola and I got to see the Adriatic Sea. When I was young, my grandma and grandpa had a painting of a fountain that was in Mola, and it has been my dream to see it ever since I was little. I got to! It was a really profound moment for me. Then Giuseppe drove us to my grandma's old apartment. I cannot express the sort of waiting I have experienced to see this place, and I finally got to!
Everyone embraced me with such love and kindness. Some of the family I had met before, others I was meeting for the first time. There were about 14 of us at lunch on Saturday. Everyone was speaking in mostly Italian, but they tried to slow down and speak as much English as possible. And, let me tell you the food was amazing.
After lunch, Giuseppe took us to his home. We hung out with his daughters, Gaia and Ilaria, and his wife Titi for the rest of the evening. We went to this place:
And then we had crepes in "Alberobello" (meaning beautiful tree) and walked through this cool town:
The next morning we went to see "Via Vitulli" the street named after my family:
We visited with some more people, ate a lot of figs (SOOOO YUMMY), had homemade wine at 10am, and a lot of espresso. It was a really nice trip, and I am very thankful for the opportunity to visit Mola and I hope it's not the last time.
That is beautiful Jenn. i am thrilled that you got to spend some time with your family. i am sure that it was healing for them also to see you after your mom died, as you are so much like her and your spirit reflects hers. it is cool to discover your heritage and find a part of who you are. Looks like tons of fun!
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