Valle dei Templi

Valle dei Templi - 11 Luglio 2016

P-day fun to the Valle dei Templi in Agrigento. Sorella Anderson and Sorella Keglovitz asked/invited/hoped we would go with them to Agrigento and visit the Greek Temples there. The invite came on Sunday and I said most likely but let me talk with Craig. When I said yes, I had no clue that Agrigento was on the other side of the island. They thought it was a 1 ½ hour bus ride but I am sure it would have been longer because it was a 2 hour car ride.

Palermo is on the north side of the island of Sicily and Agrigento is on the south side. So now we have been on the north, south, and east side – Catania when we met Presidente and Sorella Pickerd. I have seen the Mediterranean from all those sides. Before our 18 months is up I am sure I will see the west side of Sicily too. Although Craig informed me that Sicily is more like a triangle.

We did a lot of walking and wandering at the Valle dei Templi today. It was 5 km down and back, and we could have seen more but it was time to head home. There was several templi ruins, mostly columns and walls, lots of broken down walls. There were a few places with stone after stone in rows, I wonder what those are used for. The museum was closed, a lot of tourist places are closed on Mondays. It was fun, tiring, and interesting. The templi were built around 450 BC by the Greek but some were converted to Christian templi around 600 AD. One in particular was mentioned to have been dedicated to Saint Peter and Paul after it was cleansed of the gods.

The first temple we saw was attributed to Hera or Juno but that might not be correct according to recent discoveries. The templi were built on a hill overlooking the Mediterranean Sea looking toward Greece. We walked along the walls to guard the templi and it was said tombs were later added into the walls.

Hera's Temple - arms length

Ancient olive trees

Tombs put in the walls by Christians around 600 BC

The next tempio was the Tempio de Concordia. After that walking through broken walls and finally we reached a large tempio area that was filled with the column ruins of the Tempio of Zeus Olimpico This area was much larger than the other templi but mostly there really wasn't any columns standing.

Tempie de Concordia

The foursome

This fallen angel was sculpture in 2011

Our white dove blessing our adventure

We threw Sorella Anderson in the dungeon

Ruins from Zeus' temple

The last columns belong to the Tempio of Descurio. The path continued on to the Gardens of Kolymbertha but we didn't have time to wander there. Although looking down into the gardens it looks like it would have been lots to see and explore.

Tempo de Descurio

The Gardens of Kolymbertha

We enjoyed our day with the Sorelle and our adventure out. Sicily is beautiful.

Ciao!

Giorno dell'Indipendenza

July 4 is an American holiday. Most of our missionari are from the United States and our wise Zone Leaders ever so kindly suggested that we hold a BBQ at our la casa so both the sorelle and anzaini can celebrate together, since neither can be in the others' apartment. And we so wisely took the bait.

For the bbq Craig and I purchased carbone– briquettes, watermelon, paper goods, all the hamburger fixings such as formaggio, pomodore,onions, and lettuce, buns both hamburger and hot dog buns (our local Lidl store had both but we were ready to make some adaptions if needed). We bought the meat from the local Conad store because they had a macelleria – butcher shop - inside. There was 4 kilos of ground beef and 2 kilos of sausage, both were so good I threw together a simple pasta salad and the rest was brought by the missionari.

We put them to work preparing the burgers and cutting up the watermelon

They know how to work hard

Even cutting tomatoes and onions

Craig was the best - grilling all the meat in the hot sun

There was plenty of soda, chips, and desserts – even a delicious homemade cheesecake from Elder Whiting. We ended up with 3 watermelon so ours was saved for a ward activity a couple of days later. S'mores were attempted but the carbone had cooled off too much. The marshmallows still melted from the heat. Lots of yummy fun.

Plenty of good food

Yum

So grateful for real bbq burgers

The young man waving, it was his first hamburger besides McDonalds

Now that is how you slice watermelon

No messy faces

S'mores

We pledged allegiance to the flag, stuffed our faces, and enjoyed being together. Since fireworks are not permitted to be handled by missionari and everyone had to be back to regular missionari mode anyway by 6, we just imagined them. 

Front, left to right - Romero, Roberts, Kelgovitz, Anderson, me, ??? Carroll, Garrett
Back, left to right - Ridd, Alessondro, Rey, Whiting, Moraes, Jenson, Grizzell

Just a little Independence Day cheer

It was really good to be together. Probably the last time for this group because transfers are coming up this week and the chances are pretty high that some will be changing.

We are grateful for our friends and our free country. 

These sorelle have captured my heart

Andiamo

Giugno 20, 2016

Andiamo! 5:00 am and we are on our way to the Salt Lake City Airport, our gracious driver Anthony. Our check in was smooth. Two checked bags each, neither too heavy that it was an extra cost and maybe because of Craig's silver elite we didn't have to pay any extra. Here in our mission field they call it another Italian Mission Miracle – that makes me smile thinking about it.

Before our flight we, mostly I wandered the airport to see about 40 or so other missionari headed out to their mission field – there was Portland, Oregon; Spokane, Washington, New Hampshire, Lima, Peru (una sorella all by herself) and Nicaragua. The last two sets were traveling on our plane to Atlanta where we parted ways. Young, excited missionari ready to serve.

A four hour layover in Altanta and then on to Roma with an overnight flight arriving at 10:15 am. Roma is 8 hours ahead of Utah, which means our morning is their going to bed time. And our day is a good part over when family in Utah are waking up.

Giugno 21, 2016

Arrival in Roma! Off the plane, through the visa entry (we passed), and onto luggage. Two delights in the Roma airport; 1^st all our luggage made it and 2^nd to see our tall Presidente Waddoups and dolce Sorella Waddoups! We passed so many people standing with a welcome sign and a name I wondered who or how we would be found. So I was extremely grateful to see them.

The Roma airport is about 20 miles from Roma and I don't know if we were driven by a direct route but we went via the Roma Temple. Most are wondering when the Roma Temple will be completed. If has had a few setbacks and the latest on LDS.org is projected for 2018. But if will be beautiful when completed.

Tempio Roma

We are so delighted to be here

Lunch was provided by Presidente Waddoups at Big Pizza what might be considered “a hole in the wall” restaurant but that is like a lot of stores, restaurants, eateries, etc. Here the meter pizza was served; thin crust, tomato sauce, and cheese wood fired. It was very tasty.

Now that's a pizza!

A quick visit to the Mission Office with a quick overview of mission business then off to a very nice B and B for the night. We were spoiled. A two hour nap, obviously we were tired. We wandered around the neighborhood to orient ourselves and find something to eat for supper. Gelato and pastries, I would say that is the perfect way to start eating here in Italy.

A park near our B&B, we met an investigator here

The beautiful view from our B&B

Giugno 22, 2016

Off and running today. We received more mission information about staying in Italy. First off we need to apply for a permesso which gives us the right to stay in Italy. More stuff that sent my head spinning – maybe being tired, jet lag, and lots of information. Presidente and Sorella Waddoups along with Anziano and Sorella Bullocks – who I had communicated with by email thanks to my cousin Jane connecting us – took the metro to Trevi Fountain where we met up with Anziano and Sorella Thompson for lunch and a very quick getting to know you tour. Craig's lunch was wonderful starting with fresh cantaloupe and prosciutto and a very good pasta. My caprese salad was amazing with fresh tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fresh basil – I think I ate about a half a pound of mozzarella. And of course gelato again. The Trevi Fountain was beautiful having been cleaned recently, sparkling white was sparkling clear water.

Busy tourist season

Trevi Fountain

So pretty

I had to say hello to Pinocchio

The Bullocks were leaving for home on Friday and the Thompsons were serving in Roma, specifically in the Pathway Program. Craig and I were looking forward to hearing our assignment. In our welcoming interview with Presidente he confirmed we were headed to Palermo where we would serve under the direction of President Nudo, our Stake President, but mostly like working in the GANS program - Giovanni Adulti Non Sposati. We had a sweet visit with the Waddoups at their villa – what makes a home a villa apparently if it has a yard or garden. The Mission Home was beautiful. And of course more gelato.

The Mission Home, built by Mussolini

Giugno 23, 2016

After another amazing restful night, more office business – specifically Craig had to pass a driving test. Anziano Sears had Craig drive around testing his ability to parallel park where there is particular no space, handle the pressures of narrow one way streets, read street signs, and not crash with the “go anywhere at anytime even if your light is red” Italian drivers. He passed because we drove off with a car to Palermo.

Our car would be considered a midsize van but I think grande by Italian means. We have trunk space, backseat for 3 and a TomTom. The TomTom is a life savor finding our way around. Unless she tries to direct us down one way streets through the middle of town or can't find the address or just sends us up and down streets instead of the autostrada. But really with out TomTom we would be totally lost.

Sorella Waddoups had a brainstorm and decided we shouldn't have to drive all the way to Palermo and she had the office arrange for us to take the overnight ferry from Napoli. Napoli was only a 3 hour drive from Roma. A short drive off the toll roads to the port, another wait on the port amongst the line up of numerous cars and trucks until we drove right onto the ferry, parked the car, and spent the night in a small but very nice room with a private bath.

Leaving Napoli and the west coast of Italy on the Mediterranean Sea

Our Ferry

Panorama of our berth

The front end, look at all those ropes

Gunglio 24, 2016

6:45 am arrival in Palermo and off and running!

Our first view of Palermo

We are pretty excited to arrive in Palermo