After 108 years a Belluscio returns

Saturday, September 21, 2013
Matera to Rome with a Heartwarming stop, Basilicata, Italy
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.
Other Entries

Comments

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....

2025-02-15

Comment code: Ask author if the code is blank