Have a delicious breakfast once again, she has made some cakes for us, we head out early as this will be a very, very long drive. Even more so as I have convinced my wonderful husband to stop in Barile, Potenza on the way, it is the birthplace of my mother's family. We drive almost two hours to get to this town which seems to be in the middle of nowhere, not a sign with its name until we were very close by. We drive up and stop at the first church, I ask a women if there is a municipal building as my grandfather lived here over 100 years ago. She says,no,but I should try the main church, Chieae di Madonna di Constanopoli. Another man directs us to park and walk as we can't drive there.....We enter a very beautiful church, blue and yellow inside.so bright. I think that this is the church of my family and am filled with emotion. I notice a small door on the church's side, I peek in, Tomaso comes over and I tell him my story. He says to come with him. We go through the church to a small room where there is an old cabinet filled with small leather books. He takes out three that are marked 1886, and tells me they are the baptism books. The pages are worn and written by hand in ink , and difficult to read. We patiently look through and we find my grandfather's name SAVERIO BELLUSCIO. I am happy with this discovery I am in the real homeland, we thank him, make a donation and head to Rome.
We have told the b and b owner we will arrive at five, my amazing husbands gets us there at 5:04, we are in a residential area at the last metro stop on the red line, baptistta
. Luckily, there is a side yard to put the car, we are a 15 minute walk to the train. Michele , the owner, tells us about the place, we change and head off to the Spanish Steps to meet Charles' friend Peter and his wife,it is their last night here. The steps are filled with people, they arrive. We decide to walk out a bit and find a non-touristy restaurant. After a while, while passing an outdoor area a waiter starts chatting up with my husband in Italian, now keep in mind Charles does not understand everything, anyway the server claims the food is the best. The other couple is in, I am reluctant. This waiter orchestrates the dinner, we ask for house wine, he brings a bottle never mentioning price, we have two, cost $100.,he brings antipasto, just a taste, we order a dish each, I have gone for pasta , the others fish, meat. The food is average, the server brings, fruit, praises his desserts, we order one, you can guess the outcome. The "Conto" arrives, I am shocked by the price, but am alone in that response. We have enjoyed the company and the atmosphere, I know we have been played. We walk our friends back to their hotel for a drink of prosecco. On the ride back, I try to talk about it but Charles doesn't want to discuss it. The day does not end as a buona notte, in my head I am writing a scathing trip advisor review...........my only revenge tactic.
After 108 years a Belluscio returns
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Matera to Rome with a Heartwarming stop, Basilicata, Italy
Other Entries
-
1How High Can You Go
Sep 0516 days priorMonte Sant'Angelo, Italyphoto_camera2videocam 0comment 0 -
2Cows and Goats Sempre Diretto
Sep 0615 days priorPeschici, Italyphoto_camera4videocam 0comment 0 -
3A throbbing thumb
Sep 0714 days priorPeschici, Italyphoto_camera0videocam 0comment 3 -
4Posso socorso=emergency room
Sep 0813 days priorPeschici, Italyphoto_camera7videocam 0comment 1 -
5Our son Michael, possible Land Baron in Peschici!
Sep 0912 days priorPeschici, Italyphoto_camera2videocam 0comment 2 -
6Charles, the Cave Swimmer
Sep 1011 days priorPeschici, Italyphoto_camera5videocam 0comment 5 -
7Politics,Economics,World Crisis,Historical Discuss
Sep 1110 days priorPeschici, Italyphoto_camera2videocam 0comment 2 -
8LA Dolce VIta, Alla Top Chef
Sep 129 days priorPeschici, Italyphoto_camera2videocam 0comment 2 -
9Heading Down the Heel
Sep 138 days priorAndria, Italyphoto_camera4videocam 0comment 0 -
10Waking to the Sounds of the Citta
Sep 147 days priorLecce, Italyphoto_camera4videocam 0comment 2 -
11A SCIROCCO or a TRAMONTA WIND
Sep 156 days priorGallipoli, Italyphoto_camera2videocam 0comment 4 -
12THe White City
Sep 165 days priorOstuni, Italyphoto_camera4videocam 0comment 1 -
13A Book Takes Us Off Road
Sep 174 days priorOtranto, Andrano,Castro, Italyphoto_camera2videocam 0comment 1 -
14City Slickers
Sep 183 days priorLecce, Italyphoto_camera4videocam 0comment 3 -
15From Trulli to Sassi
Sep 192 days priorLocorotondo, martina franca, alberobello, matera, Italyphoto_camera2videocam 0comment 2 -
16An Extra for a Guide
Sep 201 day priorMatera, Italyphoto_camera4videocam 0comment 1 -
17After 108 years a Belluscio returns
Sep 21Matera to Rome with a Heartwarming stop, Italyphoto_camera4videocam 0comment 2 -
18Two Americans, Due Italiani
Sep 221 day laterBagnoregio, Italyphoto_camera2videocam 0comment 0 -
19How could one person do all that....impossible
Sep 232 days laterRome, United Statesphoto_camera4videocam 0comment 3
Comments

2025-02-15
Comment code: Ask author if the code is blank
Carla
2013-09-22
You tale of woe is upsetting, but like Charles i agree, just forget it.
Sandra
2013-09-22
One night out of 17 pretty good, In Rome you have to expect to be ripped off. I enjoyed reading your blog. Looking forward to your next adventure....