Festa di Cioccolato in Bari

We had a young adult and missionary activity strolling through the Chocolate Festival in Centro on Friday night. The weather was perfectly cool with a fresh sea breeze and we enjoyed sampling some chocolate delights, including chocolate-covered waffles on a stick, chocolate bars on a stick, and cannoli dipped in pistacchio. We definitely need to do this more often!

Saying "Good-bye" and saying "Hello!"

Transfers were this week and we said good-bye to our dear Sister Marshall,  Anziano D'Empaire and Anziano Bryant. We received Sister Cheney, Anziano Seamons and Anziano Stafford. It's sad to have some leave, but always wonderful to say hello to new missionaries!

 

Another District Pranzo - Another Stack the Chairs Photo

We have become accustomed to having a district pranzo (lunch) right after the last district council of the transfer.  This time, Sister Cannariato's meatloaf was a big hit.  

And Elder Garrity's Tiramisu for dessert met with rave reviews!  

As usual, after singing "Inno di Roma" we stack the chairs and take a photo. Each chair represents the  number of 6-week transfers served.  We always take a serious pose and one for fun.  

Finding Paradise in Prizzi

We knew before returning home that we wanted to visit my cousins in Prizzi, Sicily, the birthplace of my paternal grandparents. What a good decision!  Prizzi will always hold a special place in our hearts.  

My second cousins, Giovanni and Gino (Giacomo) Siragusa and their wives, Silvana and Maria still live in this small town high in the mountains of central Sicily. 

Our trip to the cemetery was so meaningful to me.  Here are buried many of my ancestors, as well as LOTS of people with the name Cannariato. 

Here are Gino and Giovanni's parents, Vincenzo Siragusa and Anna Cannariato, as well as sister Maria and brother Salvatore.   

Here we met Pina Sarullo Cannariato, who lives next door to Giovanni and Silvana.  Her husband is also a relative.  And here's her recycling bin with our name on it!  

Here is Silvana's mom's crypt.  She was still living when we visited in 2019. 

This is the view from Giovanni's small farm outside of town.  Prizzi is on the hilltop in the distance. 

Here we are with Mattia, Giovanni and Silvana's grandson. 

We had a family history night where I hooked up my laptop to their big screen and explored family search together.  We enjoyed this evening very much. From left to right: Giovanni, Silvana, Pina, Gino, Maria and Dawn.  

It wouldn't be Prizzi without the sheep!  

Prizzi is just 25 KMs from Corleone, made famous in The Godfather movies.  We explored the cathedral and its many treasures and relics.  

Dawn mailing a birthday postcard to Bob Saitta from Corleone.  

We also had a lovely meal at the home of Gino and Maria.  We got to watch the video of their 50th wedding anniversary.  

At Gino and Maria's "farm" the cats were happy to see us.  

This is Vincenzo Siragusa, Gino and Giovanni's father.  He married my dad's first cousin Anna Cannariato. 

Here's the home of Gino and Giovanni's parents, Vincenzo and Anna Siragusa.  Anna was a Cannariato, first cousin to my dad.  I stayed at this home twice, in 1976 as I left my mission and again in 1978 with Marsha.  

Friday evening, we all enjoyed dinner at Tre Torri. From left to right: Gino, Maria, Dawn, Steve, Mattia, Silvana, Chiara, Daniela and Giovanni.  

Here are the gifts Giovanni and Silvana gave us - two Sicilian coasters and a lovely ceramic cactus!  

This is the view from our B&B room. Pretty spectacular. The old part of Prizzi can be seen in the distance on the hill. The BnB is about 200 yards from Giovanni and Silvana's home. 

Prizzi at night as seen from the entrance of the restaurant where we had dinner. 

A Good Time in Palermo

On our way to visit my cousins in Prizzi, Sicily, we flew into Palermo and spent a day with some of our favorite missionaries. We were hosted by Anziano & Sorella Shurtz.  They arrived in Italy on the same flight we did over 15 months ago.  They also work with young adults.  

We so appreciated that Sisters Dioquino and Hunter were willing to spend their most of their p-day with us sight seeing. 

We toured the impressive Palazzo Reale and its famous Cappella Palatina where every surface is done in mosaic tile.  

The mosaic work is exquisite. Where Dawn's finger is the white stone is a single piece. 

There was also a modern art exhibit, which frankly didn't do too much for us. 

Then off to the Cathedral of Palermo, the Quattro Canti and Via Maqueda for lunch and cannoli.