sicily and longi

The drive from Palermo to our exit lasted about 2 hours. It was pleasant since the highway was situated between the mountains and the sea. We stopped in a coastal tow for lunch and had some delicious homemade pasta and swordfish. Then, we got off on the exit we thought would take us to Longi, where the Valenti family hails from (Kt’s grandma). We knew the city was in the mountains somewhere, but didn’t have any directions just a map that wasn’t very detailed. Luckily there was a sign for the road we needed. Our little car had some trouble making it up the mountainous, twisty road, but then I put it into manual (smart cars can do both manual and automatic) and it was easier (although lots of people passed us. Every 10 minutes or so, the road would lead through a small town with skinny streets. After 45 minutes or so, we made it to Longi….then we blinked and we were out of the city limits.





It really is small city as far as size is concerned.
There are no buses or transport, and you could walk through the main parts in 15 or 20 minutes. Not sure how many people live there, 10,000 to 20,000. It’s situated on the cliffs of some mountains, and the streets are so steep.

The first thing we did was go to the cemetery since we couldn’t check into our bed and breakfast yet and we didn’t know anyone there. We followed the signs, and it seemed like it took forever, but we finally made it. As we walked into the cemetery walls, the first thing we noticed was a mausoleum with the name “Valenti” over the door. It was a goldmine for a genealogy enthusiast, and Katie didn’t know where to start. Nearly all the last names we saw on the gravestones were connected to the Valenti line. After walking down the first few rows, this older man came up to us and asked us if we were looking for someone. Katie explained that we were from America, but that her ancestors came from Longi. He asked what their names were, and Katie answered “Valenti,” to which he responded, “Oh, well we are relatives then.”

At this point I was feeling the Spirit very strongly (even though I didn’t understand everything), which was different because it wasn’t a usual circumstance where I feel it (church, prayer, scriptures etc.). I felt it so strong, and the impressions it gave me were 1) Heavenly Father was pleased that we were there 2) it was no coincidence that we were in the cemetery the same time as Katie’s relatives 3) the work Katie is doing for her ancestors is invaluable to them and Heavenly Father.



He gave us a ride back to town and took us to meet other relatives. The first person we met was Mari Angela. She was in her 70’s but had the energy of a teenager. She kissed and hugged us, showed us pictures, and told stories. She and Katie had some of the same pictures. It was all so unbelievable. We chatted for a while and then checked into our bed and breakfast place.

It was a restored 3 story house (each floor had one room) that was really rustic, but also really nice (we had a Jacuzzi). The only problem came when I had to park the car. I was trying to turn it around in this small street and I hit a pole. Luckily the damage was easily fixed (we also paid extra for insurance since I knew something like this would happen). We walked around the city a little that night and rested for the next day.




The next day we met Nino (the man from the cemetery) and he took us around the town and then to his store (they made Katie call her mom from the store). We ate lunch at his house, and then Nino took us for a drive through the mountains. It was beautiful, and I was glad he was driving. We came home and had dinner with some other relatives (they ordered pizza). Kt talked while I watched the Champions league final.




We left the next morning, and it was sad to say goodbye since they were all so hospitable and friendly. We exchanged emails and addresses and hopefully we can keep in touch. That day we stopped in Cefalu for a beach break, and it was pretty and relaxing. After that, we drove Palermo and miraculously found our hotel (in America, I get lost all the time. Sometimes I miss the street our house is on. Here though, I’ve noticed that I have better bearings than Katie).











The next day we toured Palermo. We saw churches and other sites. It’s a nice city, but really hot, almost like Phoenix. That evening we caught the boat back to Naples, and the next morning we took the train to Genoa. The train was late from Naples, and then broke down 2 hours from Genoa. Our replacement train had no AC, and stopped at every stop. We were happy to be “home” after that. All in all, lots of things went wrong or were different, but it was great to get off the beaten path and especially to make connections.





goodbye. see you soon sicily.