In Memory of Luigi

Over the years I've written of so many happy times in Guardia, however today it is with great sadness that I write this post to honor the passing of one of the great icons of Guardia ..beloved husband, father, grandfather, and dearest friend.. Luigi Orso.

Luigi Orso

Let me just start off by saying that Luigi was larger than life, He always had a mischievous twinkle in his eye that somehow managed to say a lot even though he was a man of few words. His kindness and humor was legendary and you would have a hard time finding anyone in town that did not have a delightful story of Luigi to tell. As a consequence of a life well lived, there are many many wonderful memories that will last forever for so many.  Here are a few of mine.

Luigi playing at a festival in Guardia

It was so incredibly fortunate in that Luigi and his family were the first people we met in Guardia. We were some of the first people to arrive in Guardia following the 1st House Hunters episode some ten  years ago. From our very first day there, Luigi took us under his wing .. and while we spent long days house hunting with various people, our nights were spent with Luigi and his family and full of delicious food, Luigi's famous wine, laughter and music. As with many fun nights to come, the night wasn't over until Luigi pulled out his harmonica and played his now famous rendition of  "Old Susana". By the time the week was over, we weren't sure if we had found a house, (or even sure what language we were speaking!!)  but somehow we knew we had found a place to call home and that "uva" meant "grapes" and that's all we needed to know as far as Luigi was concerned. 

Luigi with the love of his life, his adoring wife Anna

Luigi was well known throughout the community for his unorthodox tours of the places he loved the most.. usually Campania and Naples. Having been on several of these tours, I can assure you that anyone fortunate enough to experience the "Luigi tour" will never forget the journey that usually started and ended with no clear beginning or end. The tours would take you through the sites, smells, and flavors of the land he loved so much!! On any one of his tours you could possibly wind you through the countryside and neighboring vineyards where he might be buying or selling grapes that week. Inevitably you would stop at several neighboring cafe/bars where he would say hello to a few friends (he knew everyone!) and have a beer. On one adventure through the most interesting markets in Naples, he purchased some very fresh fish, took it to his friend's restaurant, and asked him to cook it for us. Sometimes you found yourself at a church or unique trattoria at the top of a mountain or some place you would have never found on your own. Each tour was a unique treasure and provided a little window into the magnificent life of Luigi Orso.

One of Luigi's biggest passions was his wine. He loved wine! and every year he made his own special Falanghina wine that would be served at the Tana del Orso bar to be enjoyed by all the patrons throughout the year. Starting in the spring, there would a lot of talk about whether this year's crop of grapes would be a good one, and how good this years' batch would turn out. I loved his wines!  On one of my very first trips to Guardia, Luigi was very concerned that I would not be able to get his wines once I returned to Texas.  As I was preparing my bags for the return trip home, Luigi surprised me with a case of his special bottled wines for me to bring back home.  I wasn't sure how I was going to carry all of this back with me.. much less get it through customs (these were handcorked, unlabeled bottles!!) . but with a little bit of Guardia Magica I was able to get most of it home, and was able to enjoy my little bit of Italy on the road and a bit in Texas for a short while. 

Toasting the good life with Anna & Luigi

One of my favorites

Every tine I think of Luigi, I am left with good memory and a smile. My most important memory of Luigi will always be the bottomless kindness that he had for me and my family that will never be forgotten.

My mom's visit with the Orsos: Luigi, Anna and Pasquale

He is dearly missed, and Guardia will not be the same without him. 

Salute mio caro fratelo .. alla prossima 

Making dreams come true .. the adventures of Grace in Guardia Sanframondi

I was reminded recently that I am a little behind on my Guardia updates..so a few months late but better late than never :)

                                    

Guardia at dusk 

My mom Grace, had never been to Europe but had always dreamed of seeing Italy and all the beautiful Italian sites she had seen in the movies of her time.. in fact, during one of the first dates she had with my dad, they watched  "Rome Adventure", a classic from 1965. I can close my eyes and remember "Al di la" playing from the soundtrack to the movie on the record player in our home when I was a child. I really wanted to take her on this trip, but sometimes life throws you a bunch of banana peels, and you have to take the opportunities when they arrive.  

Finally last October, after a couple of years of longing and wishing, we caught a little break and David, Grace, and I made plans to go back to our cozy home in Guardia!  It was going to be such a very special trip since I was bringing my mom on her great adventure! I carefully planned our two week trip with eight days in Guardia with lots of day excursions and five days to cover a drive through Tuscany, Florence, Venice and Rome. It was an ambitious schedule but mom was up for the challenge, and I nervously hoped that it wouldn't be too much or not enough.

Its tradition to make a quick coffee stop at Autogrill before the drive to Guardia  

    

View of the castle as we get close to Guardia

Our first stop was the Tana del Orso (of course!) for a delicious lunch prepared by my favorite cook and good friend Anna Orso.  There were lots of hugs and laughter after such a long time without seeing everybody,  It was such a happy reunion!.. all the nervousness of the trip disappeared as Guardia welcomed us with open arms!

Our wonderful neighbor Carmela had filled all my planters with beautiful flowers to welcome us and the house seemed to radiate joy! 

        

Pasquale had the house in perfect shape as always! The beds were made and the kitchen essentials stocked, and this beautiful wedding gift he had given us 2 years ago that I had only been able to see in pictures was waiting for us!! The antique wine barrel table was simply stunning! and looks fantastic in the entryway!!

our cozy kitchen

WE LOVE IT!!

We were so touched by everyone's thoughtfulness!! 

We had a great time showing mom the midieval town of Guardia: 

Ponte Ratelo

Kerry this one if for you!

Olives hanging from the vines

And took a couple of day trips to places close to Guardia:

Sant'Agata de Goti

The dog was just as confused as we were as to how we got into this jam.. somehow we made it out with the car in one piece!!

The aqueduct on the way to Naples

It was a little chilly on the boat to Positano

One of many gelatos!!

More Positano

Vietre Sul Mar on the way home from Positano 

The ruins of Herculeneum

After a day in the ruins, a dinner in Naples with Mt Vesuvius in the background

Enjoying our wine and watching the sunset in Naples

A coffee in the afternoon in Cerreto

One last party at the Tana dell Orso to celebrate Pasquale's birthday before we left for the rest of the trip. 

and a bit of Grace's adventure through the rest of Italy:

Montepuliciano 

Sienna

A little shopping in Florence

Ponte Vechio - Florence

Florence by night

Venice

Venice

St Marks Square - Venice

Trevi Fountain - Rome 

The Vatican - Rome 

Last dinner in Rome - Ciao Italia!

At the end of the trip, I asked my mom what part she loved the most . without hesitation, she said Guardia was her favorite .. even though we had taken her to so many beautiful places, Guardia to her was the most beautiful because of the people.  It meant so much to me that I could share Guardia with her and that she fully captured the essence of this beautiful town.!! For me Guardia has always had this magical charm that is hard to describe.  It's a warm feeling you get from all the happy "Ciao's!!" you get from the neighbors in the piazza when you return home at the end of the day, it's fun nights at the Tana seeing old friends and meeting new ones, it's the beautiful views of the valley below while soaking in a sunset and a glass of wine on the terraza., it's the feeling of being home.

 

Saying hello to one of my sweet neighbors in Piazza Croce

I'll be forever grateful to the Orso family who has always been so special to me, and welcomed by mom in and made her feel like she was part of the family! Grazie mille per tutti!!!

..and thanks to David for his patience while navigating us through all of Italy and made a dream come true for me and my mom. Love you!

At Leonesa (rock formation) just outside of Guardia

My beautiful adventurous mom Grace is 87 years old and you would never know it by looking at her! She is probably going to kill me for sharing, however her age and her spirit are an inspiration to us all on how to live life to its fullest! I am so proud of her for jumping in with both feet and soaking in every slice of wonder that Italy has to offer. 

Grace living her best life on a gondola in Venice on the Grand Canal (Rialto Bridge in the background)

So for those of you that have been dreaming a little dream about taking a trip to a beautiful little place in Italy called Guardia Sanframondi or anywhere else.. I would say, it's time to stop dreaming and to put those dreams in motion.  

 Ciao Bella Guardia ..alla proxima!