OVERVIEW + MAP This presentation documents some of the highlights of a trip to Italy (in October of 2001). The trip was a combination of visiting relatives, seeing some major attractions, and doing some adventuring in the Dolomites. This map image indicates the areas covered by this presentation. They are, in order: Avellino, Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, Rome, Siena, Florence, and the Dolomites. [enlarge]

Avellino Location: Avellino, Italy This is a view of the city of Avellino (approximate population about 60,000), where my Mom's family is from, and where many of my relatives live. This is the view looking out from my Aunt Sisina's apartment balcony. [enlarge]

AVELLINO FROM ABOVE This is a view of Avellino from the top of a nearby mountain (Monte Virgine). [enlarge]

PORCELLI RESIDENCE, FROM ABOVE This is a view, also from the top of the mountain, zoomed in to where my Aunt Rosetta's house is located. To call this a house is an understatement. The fact that it can be seen at all from about 10 kilometers away is a testament to its size (Camera at full 200mm zoom). [enlarge]

PORCELLI RESIDENCE, GROUNDS The next few pictures document my Aunt Rosetta's place, which is more of a family compund than a regular single-family dwelling. The families of the children of my Aunt also live here. It can comfortably house about 15 people, has a 7-car garage, and sits on about 1 acre of landscaped land. [enlarge]

PORCELLI RESIDENCE Front Entrance. [enlarge]

PORCELLI RESIDENCE Driveway and garage entrance. [enlarge]

PORCELLI RESIDENCE Northwest portion of the grounds. [enlarge]

LORRAINE at the PORCELLI RESIDENCE Lorraine looks out from the guest rooms (which are on the ground floor). [enlarge]

PORCELLI RESIDENCE, INTERIOR This is the living room of my Aunt + Uncle (Rosetta + Peppino). Note the centrally located walk-around fireplace. [enlarge]

PORCELLI RESIDENCE, INTERIOR This is my Aunt's Kitchen. Very nice balcony opens out on the right. [enlarge]

PORCELLI RESIDENCE, INTERIOR This is the downstairs guest area, which also doubles as a family/group gathering location. Included in this guest area is a complete kitchinette, fireplace + cooking grill, 14-seat table, and lounge area. Very complete. It was very gracious of my Aunt to let us stay there. [enlarge]

HARLEY The Bulldog of the house. I think the dog's name is Harley, but I could never be sure (Harley doesn't pronounce well in Italian). Quite a sturdy and pushy beast. [enlarge]

HISTORIC FAMILY RESIDENCE This building used to house my Mom's family when she was young. It was damaged heavily during WW-II bombardment, and, as can be seen in the image, it has been very well restored. [enlarge]

SANCTUARIO DI MONTE VIRGINE Located near the top of nearby Monte Virgine, this old church is a place my Mom used to hike to from the City below when she was young. In this photo, Lorraine and my Mom climb the steps to the entrance, where various weird things await. [enlarge]

TOKENS OF THANKS Inside the Sanctuary is a room where people who have had ailments or injuries give thanks for recovering from them. In giving their thanks, they will place some sort of token describing what cause the ailment and/or describing the affected body parts. I've never seen this concept taken to this extreme. In this image, tin bas-reliefs of legs and torsos (or maybe lungs) can be seen. [enlarge]

OUCH! In this gratitude painting, it appears that an unfortunate individual has had an unfortunate encounter with some live electrical wire whilst repairing a roof, apparently resulting in a nasty fall that cracks his noggin open. I can only assume that this individual must have recovered from this mishap, given that the picture was created. Note the apparition of (I think) the virgin in the sky on the left. [enlarge]