8. Day with relatives

Into Bologna – Jan 15^th  to Ospetale, Fanano

Walked to the train station in the early hours

Everyone still asleep, except the street sweepers & machines of power.

Took the train to Florence first, it took 45 minutes quick,

Switched trains to Bologna, and the seats were picked.

My suitcase is too big for the tiny luggage isles

And people looked at me with disdain as I tried to pile,

All of my things onto one seat,

But I had to take two for my feet.

A cab took me to the Hotel Guercino, in seconds flat,

But too early to check in.

 However,  they will hold my luggage until I get back

Riccardo soon arrives, my distant cousin.

And he says, “Off we go…

To Fanano!”

On the drive, we talk a lot,

Translating my sentences from the book I bought.

We stop at a lovely restaurant on the way,

Have a 7 course meal for lunch, by the way.

We start with mushrooms on bruschetta,

Next course is tortelli, lasagna and feta.

Vegetables sauted and a salad,

Lots of wine to drink to wet the palate.

Desert is a type of custard mixed with fruit,

Topped off with café to boot!
In front of the church where grandparents married

I stood in front where they carried

the water from the well
the town actually sells.

He explains that Fanano is actually seven towns,

And Ospedale is the smallest, he says with a frown.

For when our family left, it had 400, then 90,

Now only 40, yes it is tiny!           

He checks me into a sweet, quaint inn, Sole-Albergo

Run by a Cinzia, who everyone knows.

Ricardo explains that the area is known for their stone masons art

And throughout the town, there are pieces on buildings and parks.

We go to the nursing home to visit first cousin to my grandfather, Rosa,

And, she is happy that I am there and acts like she knows.

We next go to the house where my great-grandfather Giaciamo lived,

And, now a cousin Fausto, invites us in for café, chocolate and a visit.

Riccardo takes me to the family grave,

Where all of our history has been saved!

Off to Olga’s and much to my surprise,

She cries when she sees me, and looks in my eyes.

She remembers  Dante, Margaret, Maggie and Roberto,

We talk, drink wine and show photos.

For the evening meal we travel to Gioiello and Roberto’s house,

To have a traditional dinner cooked by Lidie, who is his spouse.

The house was built my their grandfather a hundred years or so,

And now the two brothers have restored it about 10 years ago.

It is a duplex, each lives on either side,

And, they still have enough room so that they can hide.

In the yard, where everyone gathers, is a huge acorn tree,

Where families have played concerts as their history.

For dinner, fresh from the fire,  a bread resembling an English muffin,

Spread it with prosciutto, garlic, cheese, and  Modena vinegar from the bin.

Another type of spread made from the pig,
Eating like this, why aren’t they big?

Two types of wine and a mixed fruit torte,

Café and telling stories, laughing til we did snort.

We talk of Ellis Island, history and family,

They show me their website, Gioiello said, “Run by me!”

Just go to Ospedale.org  to see all the fun,

Then you will know what our family has done!

Back to the Inn, we travel by night,

I sleep all cozy and tight.

Website info:
Family site:  Ospedale.org


Albergo Ristorante Sole
Via Fole 4
41021 Fanano
Sole-albergo.it