Interlude - Interesting Italians

CHIERI

Giuseppe 'Beppe' Ferrero

Beppe Ferrero (he's the one with the hat) has lived in Chieri all his life, as did his parents, grandparents and great grand parents before him. Born in 1927, Beppe has lived in the same small house off the pedonale since then.

At the height of the Great Depression in 1933, Beppe's father passed away suddenly. With the burden of several children, his mother sent the six year old Beppe to Valdocco in Turin to be taught by the Salesians. This changed Beppe's life.

When in 1938 he returned to Chieri, he maintained a connection with the Salesians which continues to this day.

He has worked with the Salesians in various capacities, and has met each of the Salesian Rector Majors over the years and two popes. In 1987 he assisted in the writing of the official history of the Salesians of Don Bosco, providing valuable insight into their presence in Chieri and surrounding regions. Even today, he is one of two people in Chieri who has keys to the church of San Fillipo and is the go to man regarding anything to do with the Salesians in the 20th Century.

 Zante

Zante is the family dog of the family the teachers are staying with while the boys are in homestay in Chieri.

A solidly built affectionate dog, Zante suffers from an affliction affecting many Italian males: he thinks he is Casanova reborn.

He seems to have a particular affinity for Australian male teachers, and doesn't mind showing it.

FLORENCE

Claudio from Firenze 

We met Claudio while we he was waiting for his wife in our hotel lobby. Like most Florentines, Claudio liked to talk, particularly about his beloved city. He was full of advice about the interesting sites we should visit. It was particularly gratifying to be able to say to him things like, "Done that...", "Been there...", "Doing that tomorrow..."

Claudio has lived in the city centre for the last three years and says he hasn't had to drive a car in all that time.

Claudio is a born and bred Florentine who operates a number of businesses supplying restaurants with furniture and equipment. He was able to provide us with the names of several restaurants near us which filled our requirement of reasonably priced, good sized portions and traditional Florentine food. He told us we should say he sent us; when we did, they didn't know who he was, but the recommendation ended up being excellent nonetheless.

Vetulio Bondi

Vetulio Bondi grew up in Via Faenza in the San Giovanni Quartiere of Florence, the fourth generation of his family to do so. He runs a gelateria in the same street. His lovely wife also grew up in the same street, five generations back. I am reminded of the lyrics of Elvis Costello's Veronica: "Her world was the street where she lived."

All of Vetulio's gelato is made on site using fresh ingredients from around the district.

Vetulio's mission is to preserve the traditional craft of gelato and has an artigianale gelato shop. He is world renowned and runs classes across the globe in traditional gelato making, as well as judging international gelato competitions.

 

ROME

Enzo from Bar Romoli

We met Enzo in 2007 during the second Italy trip. The owner of Bar Romoli near Piazza Navona and where we're staying, Enzo has always welcomed our boys and teachers into his bar (um, his Italian bar; Italian bars are more like cafes, selling coffee, pastry, snacks and small meals), keeping them happy with his coffees, pastries and gelati and looking after them with discounts.

Enzo's family first opened their Roman bar in 1908, and each generation of the family have operated it ever since. Enzo took over running Bar Romoli 33 years ago, expanding it over the years and being recognised in competitions for Rome's best coffee and Rome's best gelato.

Enzo is a typical Roman: charming, confident, forward and always ready with a joke. He is the first of our Interesting Italians.

Sorella Giaconda 

Sr Giaconda was one of the religious looking after us while we stayed at our accommodation. She is a wonderful lady who at first comes across as gruff and cranky, but who really is warm and compassionate.

Giaconda was born in 1937 in the Sicilian city of Salerno. When she was 11 years of age she joined the Convent of the Sorelle dell' Opera del Mezzogiorno order, starting a seventy year life of service to God and young people.

For the last thirteen years she has been working with the Order in Rome.