Today, August 15th Nonno is feeling much better, back to his old crazy self! We thought we should make our way to Montevirgine nearby in Avelinno and Tony Canadese offered to bring us and give dad a day ALONE to work on many projects around the house. Montevirgine is a church on the top of a mountain nearby. People have been making pilgrimages there for many nears and still do. They often dedicate the time of their pilgrimage to a family member or friend who is sick or injured and pray to the Virgin Mary. In the church there is a large room filled with drawings, photographs and metal figures representing many prayers that were answered during these pilgrimages. In fact, a friend was telling us that on September 8th every year they walk from here in Castelvetere to the top of the mountain. He said it takes about 12 hours and they walk through the night. I couldn't imagine the walk but i would like to try it. The mountain has a road that we drove up through all the switch backs; nonno wasn't feeling so great after that! There was a sring fed fountain at the top and some pizza so that made him happy again! Ofcourse, we chose the busiest day of the year to do something that many italian tourists do. August 15th is Fer Augosto, a national holiday; busier than Christmas we were told. We did however make it up the mountain, through the church and museums and picked up a few souvenirs.
After we retuned, we took it easy at the casa and then went for a walk in the evening. The moon was a crazy bright orange; it has been for a few days now.
The four of us squished in the back seat of Tony Canadese's car!
Cars lined up to see the church.
The church.
Dedications and representations of prayers to the Madonna.
Dedications and representations of prayers to the Madonna.
Dedications and representations of prayers to the Madonna.
a Chapel within the church.
The original steps to the church. People often walked up these steps on their knees.
Another small chapel within Montevirgine.
The procession of the Madonna after mass.
Market place filled with religious souvenirs...and toys.
The orange moon from our balcony.
Ash and Zia lounging.
Nonno giving me a kiss.
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