My home is northern California, but my heart is European. As much as I adore my native golden state, I feel an incredible pull from Europe, especially Italy. My paternal grandparents immigrated from Lombardia, the region of Italia north of Milano, in the early 1900’s. I always wondered why they left, what they left, who they left. I knew someday I would retrace their steps and find out.
After years of dreaming, in 1996 I finally made my first trip “over to the other side.”
I have had many incredible experiences on these amazing trips: exploring the Amalfi Coast on my 50th birthday, finding relatives in Italy that we knew had to be there somewhere, watching my dad embrace first cousins for the first time…and noticing they were dressed exactly alike! It’s been a wonderful dream.
Ten years and six trips later, in 2006 another first — the digital camera. Now, thanks to technology, I can share my memories with you. However, the real thanks goes to my Cosmic Twin, Marie (of Alexandria Daily Photo and Doorways Around the World), who cajoled and pestered me into creating Melinda Trips. I, who must be the last person on earth without a cell phone, was able to follow her impeccable instructions (all via email), and the result is now offered to you.
Put on your walking shoes (because we do a lot of that) and…ANDIAMO!
Melinda and husband Gino in Siena
Email me: m_brovelli at hotmail dot com
© 2006 text and images by Melinda Brovelli
January 2, 2007 at 5:06 pm |
This is incredible. Great job.
July 3, 2007 at 1:15 am |
Bravissima, Signora Melinda!!!
You made me homesick……..I was raised near Venice and I went to school in Venice!
You did a great job in capturing the essence of Italy: the bread and pasta store; the colourful little houses in Burano and the gondole in Venezia!
I am glad that you joined the Gruppo Italiano. Looking forward to meeting you soon: you are a great resource for travelers and a very light packer, I may add!
Arrivederci a presto.
Patty