Rapallo e la mia famiglia

We've been in Rapallo with my family for a few days now. My family is actually from Sicily, but a bunch of my cousins moved to Liguria to work in the thriving tourism industry along the Italian Riviera.

My cousins opened a restaurant a few years ago, right across from the water and in the very pretty center of Rapallo.

The last time I was here was in 2007, before that in 2003/2004 over New Years, and before that when I was like 13 years old. Despite my grandparents visiting their families in Sicily almost every year while I was growing up, I'm the only person from America who has visited the family in Italy for 11 years. I haven't been to see the rest of the family in Sicily since 2003/2004 and hope to go next year.

This has been an awesome visit so far-- a whirlwind of eating, walking, eating, sharing photos and stories, eating, playing with four crazy boy cousins all under the age of 8, eating, and oh yea more eating.

The kindness, warmth, generosity, and overall sweetness of my family here leaves me with a full stomach and an even fuller heart.

Everyone has been cooking us the most delicious vegan food even though they think we are nuts for choosing this lifestyle. Fresh made gnocchi, macheroni, eggplant (grilled, fried, you name it), panelle, pesto, granita, foccacia, so many delicious sauces, artichokes (in brine, whole and stuffed, etc), olives, caponata, etc.

I feel so content and at peace to be with everyone, speaking Italian, hearing Sicilian dialect, and eating my favorite things. Even my cousin Rocco's constant string of curses and wacky insults in English is like music to my ears.

Oh yea, it's also totally beautiful here. The lush mountains meet the clear blue waters of the sea, the buildings are old and painted cheerful bright colors, and the palm trees are plentiful.

Now we are off to Milano for a few days with our dear friend Cecilia and then Venice for two nights. We'll head back to Rapallo on Saturday for more family fun!