Stolen Figs

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Taste and Feel the Splendor of Old Italy - Rated
Experience the adventure of exploring one's family roots in a small village in southern Italy: taste the food, kiss the relatives, explore the terrain, climb the mountains, visit the castles, learn the history (Greeks, Bruttians, Romans, Visigoth conquests) ... The village, Gimigilano, is located in Calabria, the region that looks like the foot on a map of Italy, which everyone knows resembles a boot. The author, Mark Rotella, describes his very *first* visit to this village with his father and later subsequent visits either alone or with his wife, who is of Engish and Dutch heritage. He captivates the reader with descriptions of nostalgia and heart-felt longing when he emotionally connects to the traditions, customs and life of the village. He is befriended by Giuseppe, a photographer, who produces postcards that he sells to regional shops and businesses. Giuseppe becomes his personal driver and tour guide to Calabria ...

The author intersperses memories of growing up, recalling how his grandfather made wine, which he traded with a Portuguese farmer, who raised pigs ... his grandfather slaughtered the pig in the old-fashion way and provided the family with the same cuts of meat that the author saw on his visit to the village. The author includes memories and discussions with his father. One of which is the family story when his grandfather retuned to the village to find himself a suitable wife. He married her in the village and took his bride to live in America. Both his grandmother and grandfather practiced old world ways, the author was able to trace many of the family traditions back to the village and culture of the region. Favorite dishes, foods, spices and their preparation, Italian hospitality, importance of family and the sense of belonging, are all aspects of the Italian culture of which the author is proud.

The continuation of customs and traditions in Calabria persist ... kneading and baking bread in communal fashion, making wine, eating rabbit stew, tending an olive grove, stealing figs from a neighbors tree. The author wished to be viewed and accepted as the "returning son of the village" ... even sought Italian citizenship. He was disappointed to discover he was seen as "the American visitor". He found out ...one had to be *born* in Calabria, to be viewed as Calabrese. While Calabria has a depressed economy compared to Rome, Venice and Naples, northern cities ... it has a proud and resilient people who continue to live in the region helping the area to slowly develop. This author captures the feelings and lifestyle of the village and surrounding towns and cities so that the reader is captivated and wants to experience it first hand. The imagination of the reader is captivated by the sights, sounds, tastes and smells of Calabria ... one feels and senses this part of Italy is unspoiled in its splendor and beauty. You want to go there before the modern world intrudes and destroys it. Erika Borsos (bakonyvilla)