Visiting my nephew Ervin in Ascoli Piceno

Exterior organ pipes at the church in Ascoli Piceno, Italy
David & Ervin
Edda Koka

Ready for a little walk
The Koka's - Ervin, Aurora and Edda
Edda knocks on the church organ pipes
Edda and Ervin

I have a nephew named Ervin and he lives in Ascoli Piceno with his wife Aurora (her parents) and their daughter Edda. David and I drove from Rome to Ascoli Piceno to spend two nights with them in their home. This would be my first time to meet his wife and daughter. We were greeted at their doorway by Aurora, her mother and Edda. I was excited and nervous – Edda is a precious little girl and it took no time at all to warm up to her. Aurora is beautiful with a generous smile that warms me; she is an intelligent gentle woman with a sweet personality (and a great cook). Aurora prepared a wonderful meal for us – many delicious salads, fresh grilled vegetables, bread with caviar, and baked fish with potatoes and my favorite … red wine. Today happened to be my daughter Jennifer’s 25th birthday and we celebrated with a delicious birthday cake in her honor with a “J” decoration adorning the top – I don’t know what kind of cake it was, but it was like a huge Neapolitan with custard filling that had mini chocolate chips in it – those Italians have a way with sweets I’ll tell you. After dinner we went to downtown Ascoli Piceno and walked around the Piazza’s – Ervin seems to know almost everyone in the town, he has lived there for seventeen years; he was interacting and joking with so many people. The town is like a storybook that has come to life – there are towers, churches and fountains all over the place. One of the coolest things was an old church that has its organ pipes exposed to the exterior of the building – people come to the pipes and knock on them to hear the different tones – they are worn down from the touch of people doing this. In the old part of town everything looks aged – Ervin told us it is older than Rome. There are balconies that hover above the street overflowing with laundry and flowers – I love love love it – I took so many photos I am a little embarrassed. People walk to this old downtown area – no cars are allowed – they come to meet friends, have a drink, and to be seen. The fashion sense of the Italian’s amazes’ me – maybe because I am from California and we are ultra casual – but I arrived in what I thought was fashionable … only to be really outdone by a baby wearing an Armani outfit with matching shoes. (Damn baby) - There are statues, buildings, fountains, churches all with plaques and I have absolutely no idea what they said – all I know is that I am in Italy with my family and I am in love with the whole place. We stopped for a café then continued to walk until well after the sun has set. Tomorrow we are going to the beach!
Ciao for now~ Nora (who feels oh so Italian right now)