San Giovanni in Fiore

We made way from Rome 9ish Wed an Italian holiday with the streets empty and hit the autoastrada toll road south. Good high speed road especially through the mountains were tunnels and bridges flatten the road for easy driving with out steep hills. We probably went through 50 tunnels to get to San Giovanni in Fiere. It’s set in the southern Calabria region 325 miles south of Rome in the ankle of the Italian foot. We were a little concerned as we drove since the streets in every town were empty and all stores were closed. Would there be a hotel in this little village? Arriving, we soon passed a modern hotel that was packed with cars. We later found there was a huge holiday celebration attended by the locals. After making a pass through the village and finding no other hotels and nothing

.

open we went back to Dino’s hotel which by chance had a room available. No sleeping in the car tonight like we both imagined. Very nice place and the front desk speaks a little English. Checked in, we went for a drive to see more of the village. It’s set in the mountains probably about 6000ft with ponderosa pine forest all around. Looks like timber work is a big industry. The landscape is somewhat similar to Flagstaff.

Thursday, Most of the village photos were taken today with life restored to normal. We’re still curious where everybody went!! The garden photo was taken in the center of town with the church behind. The neighborhoods just adjacent to the church appears to be the oldest. Outsides our plain cement and in disrepair but interiors look very nice. The center square had the familiar mens club feel with tables of old man talking together.

No luck making contact with anybody who might have known Frankie’s grandmothers family name of Teti but visiting the village has been a pleasant experience.

On to grandpa’s village of Caulonia in the next update.

To subscribe to receive emails click here

Contact us at emailsailors07@gatolocosailing.com

Read recent blog updates at www.GatoLocoSailing.com/blog