Calabria - Page 1

Lynn's mother and father were both from Calabria, the southernmost region in Italy. Picture the toe of the boot and you'll have the region in your mental map. Calabria is poor and thinly populated, but blessed with miles of beautiful empty beaches and spectacular mountain scenery. There are mountains high enough to support ski resorts, and the first Italian National Park. Although English language guide books rarely mention the region, or warn against travelling there, German and Italian tourists flock to the beaches in the summer.

This region was really the reason for our trip. Lynn has a number of close relatives still living in the area around Scalea, Diamante, and Buonvicino, and most of them had not met Fran. We were off to spend several days on the farm where Lynn had spent the most memorable summers of her childhood.

Nearly every hill we passed had a quaint town perched on its side and peak. We've left the autostrada at Lagonegra and are following a nice two lane road winding down to the sea.

We needed at least on picture of the car - our faithful Ford Fusion turbo-diesel.

Another of the gorgeous hill towns perched among the mountains of Calabria.

Scalea means "stairs" and this town certainly earned its name. New Scalea is a resort with high rise condos and hotels, lots of restaurants, and a large boat harbor. Old Scalea is set well back from the beaches where the brigands came ashore to raid, and is laid out on these vertical alleys.

Looking down from old Scalea across new Scalea.

Our guide through old Scalea, Gabriella Maiolino.

Cousin Ciriaco, named for Lynn's father. Now the proprietor of "this side" of the farm.

Filomena, Ciriaco's wife. She baked the bread in the brick oven behind her.

The Maiolino brothers with their mom, 98-year-old Zia Palma.

Zia Palma is senile but still the grand dame of the farm.

Ciriaco and Filomena with their son Salvatore and his nephew.

Fran entertaining the family with slack key. They wanted "Arrivederci Roma" but he never managed to learn any Italian tunes. Maybe next time.

A quiet evening at the dinner table.

Fran enjoying a gelato at a bar in Belvedere. This is off season so the the lovely beaches are empty.

Fran and Nada, wife of Salvatore, on the farm.