Drinking with Bulgarians

Today has been a long day, and full of suprises. We've been in Venice, on the train to Milan, seen a football game, and now we're in Bergamo staying in a hostel and drinking whiskey on our balcony with 5 Bulgarians on their way to a football match in Barcelona!

There is so much to do and so many things to accomplish here in Europe, it's mind blowing. In one day back home, I could barely make it to another city, let alone experience what I have here.

So tonight, we've experienced the Bulgarian culture (similar to Macedonia) and who knows what suprises tomorrow will bring.

AC Milan Football

Wow. You see soccer fans on TV absolutly dedicated to their favourite team. But it's one thing to see photos and video, and another to be there.

Today, Michael and I went to Milan to catch and AC Milan vs. Lazio game. It was unreal. The cheering section that we were sitting beside did not stop the whole game. The only time they say down was during the half, and even then they weren't quiet.

The one aspect I found strange however, was the lack of overall support for the team. For games in Canada, like a hockey or football match, there may be hardcore fans, but at times, everyone in the stadium is singing or chanting the same tune. But here in Milan, the entire crowd rarely gets into it. It's a bit of a shame really. But still, the overall experience is none the less amazing.

Venice and sorts

Well, last you heard I was searching out family history in Paese. I've since left there, and sepnt a few days exploring Venice. What an incredible city. Built on the water, you just sit there and ponder why?

We stumbled across the fire brigade eating at a take out Pizza place, and so we figured it was the best place in town. We bought a few pieces of pizza and a beer, and sat watching the gondolas go by. It is such a distinct city, with nothing else like it.

It is unfortunate however, that the city is sinking and the water is rising. You can see doors that once were the perfect hieght for the water, are now bricked in because the water has risen so much. In fact, at the highest of tides, San Marco's Piazza can be covered in water, and the Gondolas can come through.

It's hard to describe, but its a place you never expect to visit. It's something you see on TV and think you'll never really make it. But then you're there. You're riding the boats, and exploring the city, and you're really in Venice. It's incredible.

And what else should you do when in one of the most unique cities with incredible architecture and art? Have a little fun.

Family History

My dad and my aunt have always been very interested in family history. They've put an incredible amount of work and time into research. It's pretty neat stuff and I felt obliged while in Italy to do a little homework myself. And it sure paid off.

We went to a small town just outside Venice, called Paese. We know my grandfather was born there and have records of it. So I attempt to goto the church and ask to look for more records because we didn't have birth or death dates for my Great-Great-Grandfather and his wife.

We get to the church around 1pm yesterday, of course right when all of Italy is taking an afternoon break. So, we wait outside the church and wander the streets waiting for anything to open. Eventually we goto the Cemetary where we find a few grave sites for Berti, but they are all very recent. A fellow in the Cemetary tells us that the cemetary moved here 90 years ago, and that's why it's all very knew. The old one was by the church, but I'm not quite sure what happened to it.

There was also a funeral yesterday, so not wanting to bother people, we stayed away from the church then, and came back after. But there was still no one there until about 6:30 at night when they were setting up for an evening service. I tell this fellow I'm searching for records, and he immediatly takes me out of the church to the building next door.

Which was open all day...

So a man answers and takes me right in (I think I caught it just as it was closing). He asks what I'm looking for, and I explain it. I pull out a very basic camily tree I'd scribbled on paper and he starts looking at it. I couldn't completely understand him, but he starts rambling about some Berti who went to Canada that he knows, and maybe hes a long lost cousin.

The next part is the most amazing because he pulls a busines card out of his pocket with a few friends phone numbers scribbled on it, and at the top is Mariano Berti. At this point I'm getting excited because he keeps talking about some book with history and how he's got a copy at home. Next I heard the fastest most intense Italian of my life as this guy chatted on the phone with Mariano reading off names and dates. Sure enough, it's the right family.

He then talks about the book at home and calling his wife and then just leaves the room and comes back with a copy. And inside this book, it goes back 7 generations from me and has the complete story of the Berti Family. Turns out the writer of this book is Mariano Berti, and he researches family history around Paese. He would be the same generation as my dad, only connected because their Great-Great-Grandfathers are brothers.

Theres about 12 pages in this book that describe the family history and some records go as far back as the 1600's with annecdotal evidence of the 1500's. Absolutly amazing. I've taken a photo of the tree and put it here. Some of it's blurry, but my grandfather is Riccardo, born 1906, son of Luigi, son of Antonio. So that's where I fit in.

I mention to this guy that we know not much about the Berti side (Grandfather) but we know a whole bunch about the Calzavera side (Grandmother). He asks where we've researched and apeared upset when I mentioed the internet and he was telling me to goto Saint Elena where the family is from. He calmed down after finding out some other family had been to the church there.

And to top it all off, his Grandmothers name is Calzavera as well...

San Marino

Yes Kent, I actually went to San Marino. Just for you. A friend of mine went and had these incredible pictures. It's a city state that's withstood all the changes in Italy over the years because of it's strategic postition.

We went up to the old city which is high on a mountain and you can see in every direction for miles and miles. It's very medieval and castle like. With all the flags up you actually feel like you might be back in time. There's also some incredible weaponry in a museum there. I'll have to post pics later when I can get them online. I would do it sooner, but this place wants to charge me €9 to put photos on CD. Screw that.

On the road

So we finally left Perugia. That one month absolutly flew by, and now we're on the road. The car we wanted to rent was about 350 Euros. Then we told them we were 23. Add a few more taxes and it was almost 800 Euros! Wow. We scrapped that plan. Instead now we're at a sea side town enjoying the beach and Heading to San Marino, a small little country within Italy, today. More to come later!