Stolen Figs

Wandering through Calabria with Mark Rotella
was a lovely experience. Rotella visited Calabria,
located in the toe of the boot of Italy for those
like me who might have missed this in school,
several times, to connect with family who were
originally from this area.

My Italian roots were ripped from soil in the northern
part of the country; though I was unaware of this,
there is apparently quite a bit of animosity between
north and south in Italy, with the south, including
Calabria, playing the role of poorer, uglier sister.

Rotella finds much to love in the south, including
the people who've always been tied to the land;
the beauty of the land with its mountains and oceans;
and the produce, that is, the oranges and the olives
and the incredible figs. Rotella has a nice way of
telling a story. I enjoyed this visit to Calabria.
Thank you again, kind BCer, watchcat, for sending
me on my loveliest vacation this year! :-)