Crazy Italians

I walked in with my aunt, who my brother and I call Gigi, to find a big room with about twenty people. A majority of them exceeding fifty, possibly sixty. And they were all Italian. Of all the people, I only recognized one person, Mike, a man I had met only two weeks before at a picnic. 1

One man walked up to me and pointed at the cross that hung around my neck, “Hello, I’m Romeo.” Romeo was my height, his voice soft and his hair combed neatly, though he was balding. “You see your cross, my two grandkids have some exactly like it. Before they came here they said to take them. They’re on that table over there.” He steered me towards a table, and stopped, “Oh! Someone must have taken them.”2

I walked back towards my aunt, who began to introduce me to everyone. “This is Romeo, he organizes this event.” I shook Romeo’s hand. Now before you start thinking Romeo and Juliet, Romeo’s name is pronounced in Italian ‘Row-may-oh.’3

Next she introduced me to a few women, but, I am ashamed to admit it, I wasn’t paying attention. Instead I was laughing as I noticed a man younger than Romeo, with the same looks, wearing Romeo’s crosses. Fred, I later learned was Romeo’s brother.4

My aunt then started unloading food and setting up a large table in the middle of the room. My brother and I decided the only thing to do was help her, and began handing out napkins. At the same time, we went to say hi to Mike.5

Mike was my uncle’s brother’s brother in law. He came off as relaxed and his mustache (streaked white) covered his warm smile. Mike was sitting on one end of the table, talking to Frank.6

Frank had white curly hair, and a white mustache and beard (sort of). His glasses sat on the bridge of his nose, and he sat quietly in his chair. I mentally thought that he would be the quiet one through out our journey. 7

Beside Frank sat Tony, a middle-aged man with black hair. Beside him was Joe, who, had I not looked closely, I could have taken as a brother to Tony. Opposite him was also Joe, who was older and shorter. He wasn’t short, rather young Joe was tall. A few chairs down sat Bruno and his wife.8

They sat talking and enjoying each others company, and someone later told me Bruno was blind. Through my amazement, I could see Bruno was an obvious role model to a lot of people in the room.9

My aunt was talking to Enzo, who looked to me the intimidating one, though I was very wrong. Enzo had all of his hair, in contrast to half the men surrounding me, and a big Italian style mustache. My aunt told me to go sit for dinner.10

I grabbed a seat beside my brother, and we sat opposite the women whose names I hadn’t caught. “What’s your name, honey?”11

I smiled as I answered, “Carina.”12

Now before I tell you any more of my story, you must understand what is happening. The people I am surrounded by, are all people who have been walking since Saturday. It is now Thursday. They started off in Toronto, and currently, we are just outside of Muskoka. They have slept on the floors of churches, and eat only what is given to them. They plan to walk to Teopoli, to raise money for the sick and poor, and send children to camp. Their organization is The Pilgrimage of Love. 13

As we all eat and finish up, many people try to get me and my brother to eat more, though I try to explain that I am on a food protocol, but it seems my words get lost along the way. My brother beside me shyly accepts everything that is offered, but secretly I know that if my aunt weren’t there, he’d already be asking for fifths.14

After everyone finishes up, and drinks there coffee, I pull out my sketchbook as Enzo pulls out an accordion. I try to finish my latest sketch of trees and a ‘v’ of tiny birds, but as Enzo begins to play an Italian tune, people begin grabbing each other, and swinging and dancing and singing.15

I laugh and smile, as my brother is pulled off by my aunt to dance, and he stays rigid and embarrassed as she pulls him. As the song ends and another starts, my brother manages to escape, and my aunt calling after him, “You need to dance Paolo!” Next she looks at me, and before she has a chance to get me to dance, I smile at her, grab my sketchbook, and run the other way.16

I stop behind Mike, who is watching Frank, who has his arm around Enzo, and is trying to sing along with the accordion. I began to laugh as Mike joins him on the other side and begins to sing too. My aunt comes up to me, and tells me she’s going to go and pray and wants to know if I want to come. I go with her, and my brother comes, along with a few of the older women.17

We come to a small room, with chairs and a crucifix in the front. I study the crucifix and my eyes instead go to the other three occupants of the room. An elder couple, the wife praying, and the husband looking completely bored. Another woman, completely disarrayed, her face puffy from crying, her clothes looking like she’s worn them for days. 18

I sit on the floor, fearing going to close to the front and do the sign of the cross. I try to pray, but my mind keeps going back to the strange woman. As I pray, I subconsciously have the woman popping up, and as I study her, I stop praying for everyone else, and I ask God to protect this woman, and help her through what ever it is she’s going through.19

A while later, we return to sweaty Italian dancers, jumping and singing at the top of their lungs. Paolo and I enjoy ourselves just watching them. 20

A woman comes up to me, Juliana, the only person who is not Italian, and the only one besides myself and my brother who cannot understand Italian. “They’re crazy!” I smile and nod.21

As we get ready for bed, sleeping on the floor, I turn to my aunt, “Next year, Gigi, we have to walk the whole way!”22

My uncle turns to me, “After we’re done walking tomorrow, you’ll change your mind.”23

I laugh and I watch as Frank and a few others, Doloris and Antonella, who are Tony’s daughters (around forty-ish), talk in the middle of the room. Older Joe tells them to go to bed, and they just wave him off.24

Romeo came up to me and Paolo, “So how do you like it here so far guys?”25

I looked at Paolo, “It’s definitely…interesting.”26

“That’s good, well, make sure you’re prepared for tomorrow. We’ll be waking up at four, but I think we’ll let you guys sleep till six.”27

My brother smiled at getting to sleep, and I knew that he wouldn’t, partly due to me.28

“Well, goodnight guys, see you in the morning!”29

“’Night.”30

I woke up the next morning, and stole my brother’s PSP to check the time. It was four twenty three. I got up and went to the washroom, to change and wash up. I found Juliana in there, and she asked me how I was doing. After finishing, I grabbed the book I was reading and tried to read in the dark. Not a smart idea. I decided it was time to wake up my brother. After shaking him, and poking him, the most I had accomplished was making him roll away from me. I began to jab his ribs until he finally rolled over, and gave me his ‘mad’ glare. He got up and went to the washroom. When he came back, we sat under the bright red EXIT sign and read. I read from my book, and Paolo on his PSP. Tall Joe came out of nowhere and doubled-back when he saw us. 31

“What are you doing awake at this time?”32

I smiled, “I wanted to read.”33

“Well, if you want, there’s some chairs in the kitchen. You can read in there.”34

Paolo and I went into the kitchen, and as everyone came and went, everyone’s reaction was the same, what were we doing awake so early?35

By the time everyone was awake, we started packing and getting everything ready. Our stuff was packed into vans, three of them, and Enzo had fruits in a cooler in his trunk.36

Before we left, we prayed, Romeo leading us, and we all were connected by our hands. My aunt commented afterwards to Frank, that she missed his song, one I had often heard her hum.37

Frank smiled and began to sing in his loud opera voice, “Jesus. Jesus. Jesus in the morning, Jesus in the noontime. Jesus when the sun goes down.” Everyone joined, I watched. Content with listening. My aunt was also singing, but instead of saying noontime, she said evening, and everyone began to laugh at her. Through other versus, ‘Jesus’ was substituted with ‘Praise him’, ‘love him’ and much more. 38

Frank looked at me and told me to give him another substitute. I stared at him, not being a singer, and didn’t reply. Everyone around me began whispering things to me, but I was to embarrassed to use any of their ideas.39

Afterwards we drove to a part of the highway, and once again prayed, and I listened as Romeo asked God to protect us on our journey.40

We began walking, and Enzo would drive and stop every kilometer. People on the group were talking, some praying, and once in awhile, they would switch off, some went in the vans, and some would stay walking.41

I took out my rosary, and I began to say the decades, concentrating on the Hail Mary. Paolo stood behind me, trying to talk to me, oblivious to my praying. When I finished, and after my brother realized I wasn’t going to answer him, I spent my time watching Bruno.42

Bruno was amazing. His wife had to guide him, but my aunt told me how he walked every year, and how he was an inspiration to everyone. Though I could feel a blister on my toe, and the back of my bad knee hurt, I knew I couldn’t give up. Not after watching Bruno.43

We continued walking, and the side of the highway was not smooth, at one point Paolo fell into a ditch, well, slid into a ditch, and we couldn’t help laughing at him.44

Our steps fell into strides, and I began to ignore the pain in my knee every time I lifted my leg up. Cars passed us, many times so close I felt I would be blown away with all the wind that was hitting us. Cars passed and honked, and every time, Romeo would lift up the cross he was holding, and Frank and Tony would raise their walking sticks. Mike always waved.45

Our first rest stop, ironically was called The Rest Stop. We went in for a washroom break, my brother leading Bruno into the Men’s washroom, the women all crowded in the other.46

My aunt walked in just after I walked out of the stall, and immediately asked who wanted to lend her forty dollars. I laughed, every where we went, she had to look around.47

“What are you buying this time Gigi?”48

“A walking stick.”49

I looked at my aunt, willing to pay forty dollars for a stick, when she could have gotten one for free one the side of the road. I sighed and laughed as my aunt went to go buy her stick. I left the store to find Enzo and Mike trying to share a wooden patio chair.50

“Hey, come over here.”51

Mike patted the armrest next to him, Enzo on the other. I sat.52

“You’re a good kid,” I nodded. “She’s a good kid.” Enzo nodded, and we sat waiting for the others. After everyone came, we went to the back of the Rest Place, and prayed.53

“Lord, thank you for protecting all of us. Help us get to our destination and thank you for the wonderful weather. Let us say the Lord’s prayer.”54

Everyone held hands, “Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name…”55

We followed the Our Father with Hail Mary, and when we got to Glory Be, we all raised our hands up in prayer.56

When we finished we began our walk again, everyone joking with each other. Romeo kept trying to keep us in line, and my aunt shouted to Frank, who looked like a lost sheep, to stay in line. Frank turned around to stare at her, then ran to her side, bowed, and said, “Yes, your Highness.”57

My aunt laughed, and Frank went back in our line. I studied everyone’s shirts, we were all wearing shirts with a cross above water, and a hand reaching out to a child. Surrounding the pictures were the words ‘Pilgrimage of Love’, and others read ‘Pilgrimage of Youth’.58

We stopped again at a lumber shop, which had washrooms. My aunt and one of the older women were the only ones to go in. The rest of us sat outside making small talk. Romeo disappeared, probably to use the washroom, and we waited for him. Older Joe came to me and asked me if I wanted to carry the cross. Being scared of being at the front of our procession, I still nodded, knowing it was an honour. When Romeo came out, Older Joe gave me the cross, and I went to the front of our group.59

We continued walking, I concentrated on keeping the cross up, but with each passing minute I felt like St. Christopher when he carried the weight of the world across the lake.60

Every once in a while, we would see road kill, which was really sad. A turtle, with its shell cracked in half. A raccoon with its head stuck in a plastic container.61

We came to an intersection, and immediately I got scared, afraid a car would come to run me over. Mike came running, and stopped beside me, saying “Make sure you look both ways, make sure there are no cars coming.”62

I nodded and as he left I did exactly as he told me. Though I’m fifteen, for the first time, I realized I felt completely and utterly safe with people I hadn’t even known for a day. I smiled as I crossed, and smiled even more when everyone got across with no signs of cars.63

When we reached a bridge, which happens to be in my top ten most scared of things list, Mike once again came to my rescue. Knowing I couldn’t do what I normally do, which is run across the bridge until I’m across, Mike put his arm around my shoulder and guided me across the bridge, far from being able to see the water below, and far from the cars zooming past us. He comforted me, telling me to recite the Hail Mary.64

As I did, I felt guilty knowing that Mike had to help me again. Yet, I was happy, I felt safe, and felt as though I had found another family. One I had known for a day.65

We stopped for lunch, salad, which was mainly tomatoes and a cucumber, and some veal, plus enough bread for ten Passovers. As everyone ate, we talked and laughed, and we watched my aunt and uncle stretch on the concrete floor.66

When we finished, Romeo told us we were going to say the rosary. I pulled mine out from around my neck, hidden under my shirt, so I could feel it close to me. Into the third decade, I could here snickering, and wondered who it could be. I was surrounded by soon-to-be seniors. They should all be responsible and act grown up, right? WRONG!67

I looked up to see Romeo, his eyes closed, praying. Next I saw Mike, a smile splattered on his face, and Frank behind laughing. Enzo sat across them, and was trying to keep in his laughter, to no avail. Mike scooped up a rock, and chucked it at Enzo. Missing, Enzo picked up one and threw it back. Laughing at their childish display, I notice Juliana is also laughing, her hand straight and strict, and threatening. The smile on her face suggests she is also trying to keep from laughing out loud, and she whispers at Mike and Enzo.68

“You two had better stop, or I’m going to have to put you in the corner.”69

Finally, some of us cant suppress our laughter, seeing Juliana scold men older than her. Romeo hears us and eyes us, and we all quiet down. Of course, Mike and Enzo start all over again.70

When we finished praying, Bruno’s wife starts to sing the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Italian. Paolo and I listen, though we cant understand, the words are graceful, beautiful and calming. With every syllable, I cant help but feel lighter, happier. By the end of the song, I have memorized the response and am singing along. Bruno’s wife sings out the second last sentence.71

Regina de Teopoli.72

We sing back to her, and Frank and Mike try to hold the last note, and as Franks voice gets stronger, Mike coughs and laughs.73

When we finish, our chairs are packed up by Doloris and Antonella. The rest of the food put away. Juliana comes up to me, and hands me a bag of Skittles. I tell her I can’t have them. If my brother and I weren’t practically attached at the hip, Juliana would have taken them back reluctantly, but seeing my brother, she gives them to him. He groans after being fed so much, but he doesn’t refuse, if it’s edible, it’s edible.74

We continue our walk, the highway turns into a road, quiet, but walking conditions are better. I can feel the blister on my foot rubbing on my shoe, each step making it worse. The padding on my soles begin to feel flat, and my ankles feel sore and fragile. Bruno is in front of me, so I put the pain out of my head, ignore it, and slowly my legs begin to feel numb. 75

Walking turns into a rhythm, I don’t think of it. Lift my foot, place it down farther. Repeat. It becomes like breathing, I don’t think about it, my feet just move. I listen to Frank’s voice singing in the background, the song my aunt likes. Not to far ahead is a large rock wall. Enzo’s car is there, and so are the vans. When we reach them, everyone sits down, water bottles are handed out and after the heat has left our legs a little, we pile into the vans and drive to Gravenhurst.76

We are supposed to leave, only walk with the people for one day, but I feel something strong that makes me want to stay. Love, happiness, safety, I wasn’t sure how I felt, but being with these strangers made me feel content. I convinced my aunt to let me stay, and told Paolo I would give him ten dollars if he stayed with me. He agrees. 77

We drive to a church, smaller than the previous one, and everyone goes into the room we are staying in. Its small, and soon its decided the men will share the small room, and the women will sleep on the church floor. My brother decides to also sleep in the church, and we pick right behind the organ. We both love to play, and we wouldn’t mind scaring everyone at midnight, but it’s locked. Frank, Enzo, and Older Joe also decide to sleep in the church, the room is too small, and all those in the room are the people with the loudest snores.78

Doloris gets herself her own room behind the altar, and everyone compliments her on being smart enough to grab herself the room.79

We say goodbye to my aunt and uncle and they tell Mike to treat us like his own kids and take care of us.80

Paolo and I sit at the table, Mike on the other side of my brother. I lean over and whisper, and he begins to laugh.81

“Gigi told Mike to treat us like his own kids, let’s call him Papa Mike.”82

We stare at Mike, and he realizes we are laughing, “What are you thinking about?”83

I start laughing again, “ We’re going to call you Papa Mike.”84

Mike laughs too, “And don’t you forget it!”85

Everyone is getting ready for dinner. I sit at the table drawing, Mike wants me to draw The Last Supper. After giving up, I start to draw Jesus up close, I’m better with detail. Mike watches, happy with the picture, though he still prefers me to draw The Last Supper. Frank comes behind me, and looks at the picture. Jesus is looking up, the angles on his face are sharp, so is his hair, his nose and his ears.86

Frank speaks, “Whose the man with the pointy ears?”87

I lean towards Paolo, “That’s how you know I fail at capturing my subject.”88

We both snicker, and Frank moves away, Mike strikes up a conversation with Bruno.89

I put away my sketchbook, and everyone is sitting at the table.90

Romeo sits at the end and stands up. Everyone else gets ready to stand to pray, but he puts up his hands to stop us. “You have all been walking today, so sit, rest. Let us pray.”91

We all do the sign of the cross, and Romeo prays, “Lord we thank you for blessing us on our journey, and we appreciate everything you have done for us. We ask you to bless this food, which we are about to eat. And please take all our suffering and forgive others of their sins.” I listened to Romeo pray, and just like when we sang the Litany, I felt happier, lighter, and closer to God. 92

When we finished, and were about to eat, Fred’s phone rang, and he jumped up to answer it, “Eat with out me, folks. Don’t wait.”93

Frank heard him, and immediately began to eat, so did Mike and a few others. Romeo saw them and told them to stop.94

“Romeo, I’ve been walking all day. I would like to eat!”95

Romeo turned to Mike, “I’m sorry, but right now we are a group, we must act like a group. When one person leaves, we wait for them. If everyone does something different, we are not a group!”96

“I agree with you completely, but I’m hungry.”97

“Mike, Mike, we are a group.”98

“And I’m hungry.”99

Frank sat watching them, as did everyone else, and finally stepped in. “Romeo, Fred said to start without him.”100

Romeo looked at Frank, “Then in that case, eat.”101

Before anyone could even pick up their cutlery, Fred walked in, “Are you waiting for me?”102

“Not anymore.”103

As everyone ate, Doloris next to me and Paolo on the other side. Frank sat across form me, and I laughed as I realized he didn’t use his fork, just his knife.104

When we finished, a few of us decided to explore Gravenhurst, or more specifically, Doloris wanted ice cream. Paolo, Doloris, Antonella, Older Joe, Mike, Tony, Fred and I ended up looking for an ice cream place. After asking about five people, we still had no clue where to get ice cream. The ice cream truck passed, and as we decided to buy it from there, Doloris insisted she wanted good ice cream.105

As we walked around, we spotted the ice cream truck a few more times. Walking around, Doloris asked a couple how to get to the lake. The couple told us it was a mile away.106

“Well, what’s another mile?”107

Everyone groaned, Doloris had been driving all day, she hadn’t been walking. After walking two blocks towards the lake, Tony found a small convenience store. As we began walking towards it, for expensive store-ice cream, Doloris once again complained.108

“I don’t want it from the store, I want it from the ice cream truck.”109

Tony groaned, “You wait for the truck to pass us four times, and when we finally find a place that sells ice cream, you want it from the truck!”110

We turned back towards the ice cream truck, which was uphill, and arrived in time to see the ice cream man leaving and locking up his truck. Tony saw them and groaned, then ran uphill towards the truck.111

“Wait! Wait, we need ice cream!” Tony ran up to the ice cream man. “Please, my daughter wants ice cream, could you sell us some?”112

The ice cream man sighed and opened the truck. As everyone got ice cream, we met up with Juliana, Enzo and Tall Joe. We all walked back complaining about Doloris.113

When we got back, Romeo, Frank and the others were in bed. Paolo and I went to get ready for bed. After I prayed, I sat on the church floor on my sleeping bag, looking around in the dark. I could make out the shape of Frank sleeping, and began to watch as I saw two figures come closer to him. One I could make out as Enzo, the other looked like Romeo, but was more likely to be Fred.114

One of them lay down beside Frank and pretended to hug him. As Frank sleepily pushed them away, they both ran away laughing. As I fell asleep, all I could help thinking was these were the most irresponsible adults I had ever seen.115

I woke up at six thirty. I went to the washroom, intimidated by the red glow from the EXIT sign. On my way there, I passed Frank, and we exchanged greetings. In the washroom, I found half of the women in there, some washing their hair in the sinks, others waiting. When we had all finished, I went to wake up Paolo. I tried pushing him, but he didn’t budge, so I sat on the organ chair and began to prod his ribs with my foot. When he didn’t move again, I used my toe and jabbed him in the armpit. He woke up and gave me a mean look.116

We went to the small room to eat breakfast, and found that Enzo and tall Joe had gone on a coffee run. As we sat talking, Romeo stood up and cleared his throat.117

“Okay group, today we will only be walking twelve kilometers. We will save at least one kilometer for Sunday, because some people from Teopoli would like to walk with us. When we get back, you have free time for yourself until five, when I expect everyone to go to mass. We have to make up for missing on Sunday.” Everyone nodded, and Romeo continued to talk, “Please remember to stand in a single line, and kids, we have to find a red sash for you, I want everyone to look the same when we get to Teopoli.”118

Everyone ate breakfast and afterwards we drove back to the place we had stopped the day before. As we started our walk, our road took on farms and cottages. The morning was chilly, and Mike gave my brother his coat.119

A man worked on his lawn in front of his house, his large black dog caught sight of us and began to bark. Mike began to mutter as the dog ran up to us barking.120

“Hey, you shut up!” Mike tried to get the dog o be quiet, and my brother and I laughed. The dog kept barking.121

As we passed, Enzo following close behind in his car, the walkie-talkie attached to Mike’s belt went off. In the car, Enzo had his radio turned on to Italian instrumental music. The music was lively, and as soon as it started coming out of Mike’s walkie-talkie, he began to twirl and dance along the road. I laughed, and Mike continued to clap along with the music.122

When the music went off Mike complained, but we continued to walk in silence. Frank broke the silence, and began to sing ‘Immaculate Mary’. Mike joined in, and soon, those who hadn’t joined in were listening intently to them belt out the strong words. As the chorus came up, we all joined in singing, ‘Ave Maria’. Cars passed by, people driving waved, and kids in the back stuck their faces to the windows to watch as we marched and sang. When we finished our song, Frank began to sing another song, one I hadn’t heard, but was lively.123

“And I will raise him up! And I will raise him up, and I will raise him up on the last day!”124

We stopped, and Romeo turned to me. “Carina, I would like you to share your experience with all of us, tell us how you feel about this pilgrimage, what it’s done for you, and if you would come back.”125

I thought and then said, “Well, when I first came here and saw everyone dancing, I thought you were all crazy, and being with all you made me sure, but I also realized that everyone here is connected through God, and it’s like a big family. One full of love, trust, and lots of faith. I had to ask my aunt to stay, and I would definitely comeback again next year.”126

Mike squeezed my shoulder, and as I looked at everyone’s faces, there was a smile on each face.127

Romeo smiled, “Thank you for sharing that Carina. On our next stop I will ask Paolo.”128

We continued walking, past houses with acres of land, and cottages. Frank continued to sing hymns with Mike trying to sing along, but his voice kept cracking. When we next stopped, Romeo asked me to lead in the rosary. As I prayed, Frank and Mike helping me along, Doloris videotaped us. Afterwards, Romeo asked me to repeat what I had said, on camera, and then asked my brother.129

Through my brother’s embarrassment, he was able to stammer, “It was a fun experience, lots of fun, a lot of exercising, too much. I would come back next year.”130

As we continued walking, Paolo told me he should have just said ‘What Carina said’.131

Our last stop, we ate lunch, and Paolo and I sat next to Frank. After eating a bit, Paolo, Frank and I spent our time watching Daddy-long legs, and laughed as one found it’s way up Enzo’s pant leg. Romeo told us we’re were going to once again say the rosary.132

When we finished, and Bruno’s wife began to sing the Litany in Italian, Mike and Enzo began to throw rocks at each other again. When Juliana got them to stop, our attention was turned to Fred, who sat in his chair with his chin on his chest, his eyes closed. We watched him sway from side to side, waking to fix himself. Everyone was laughing at him, even Bruno’s wife, who was trying to keep her voice steady while she sang. 133

After a while Enzo lay on the floor in the middle under the sun. Mike looked at him and when to lie with his head on Enzo’s chest laughing. Romeo saw them and convinced Tony lie on the other side, and Doloris took pictures.134

When Bruno’s wife finished, we all piled into the van. Tony driving, Tall Joe in the passenger seat, Frank and I took the middle, while my brother got sandwiched between Romeo and Fred. 135

“Hey Fred, you must have been really praying, you looked really into it.”136

Fred thought we didn’t know he had fallen asleep, and answered, “Yes I was, you know, I was really into it. Deep meditation.”137

“Funny, I could have sworn you were asleep,” Romeo replied. 138

Fred nodded, “Well, I was sleeping, just a bit, but what better to get closer to God?” We all laughed and talked until we were got back to the church.139

We sat in the small room, until finally we all decided to go get ice cream, only this time, someone actually knew where the ice cream store was. Nearly everyone went, only a few stayed behind. 140

When we got to the Ice Cream Parlor, a woman asked about our shirts and red sashes. Frank explained to her.141

“We come from Toronto, were going to Teopoli.”142

The woman nodded, and looked at a horse nearby, “Did you come on horseback?”143

Frank shook his head, “No, no, we walked.”144

“Oh, okay, did you-” the woman did a double take. “You walked?”145

“Yes, we’re raising money for the less fortunate.”146

The woman nodded, and I turned around to stare across the street at the sight. A gas station was across from us, and I laughed as I saw Enzo get out of his car. I called his name and waved him over. He came after he filled up his car.147

When everyone finished their ice cream, and after we had explained to a few people our mission, we decided to explore. Paolo, Frank and I left together, and everyone followed a little while later.148

We came to a book store and said I wanted to go in. While we looked at book titles, a store employee came up to us and asked if we needed help.149

Frank nodded, “Yes, I have a book I would really like to get, but I cant quite remember the title or author.”150

The woman stared at Frank and gave a small laugh, “Well, that was very specific.”151

Frank and I laughed too, and soon Frank was once again explaining our shirts and mission. 152

Another employee, probably the husband of the first, came to us with a tin animal. He opened the mouth to reveal small Toblerone bars. I refused but Frank said he would take one for someone else. We laughed and no one believed him. My brother took one too.153

We left and Frank began telling us how he wanted to buy us Gelato, so we could taste real Italian ice cream, as he began talking about it, he told us he would be mad, not that he just said so much about it.154

We found a delicacy shop, and we looked around. As I turned around to leave, I nearly bumped into Tony. We all left and went back to church, in time for mass.155

As we sat on the pew waiting for mass to start, Frank flipped through the Hymn Book, looking for number one forty-two, his and Mike’s song ‘Immaculate Mary’. As he cheered saying it wasn’t there, he flipped to the index and groaned when he realized he was wrong. Doloris, who sat beside me, laughed.156

“Hey Doloris, these are the types of books we need to have in Toronto.”157

Doloris leaned over, “Why?”158

“Because these are the proper versions. The ones we have were made in America and they changed the words. I don’t like the Yankee version.”159

Doloris looked at me and started laughing. Frank leaned over me to whisper to Antonella, on the other side of Doloris.160

“Hey Antonella? Is your shirt baggy?”161

“Yeah, why?”162

“I want you to hide this book, I’m going to take it back with me.”163

Antonella looked at him, “Why don’t you put it under your shirt?”164

“Because mine’s tucked in!”165

Doloris chuckled, “You realize we’re sleeping in the church, right?”166

Frank’s face lit up, “That’s right!”167

I had already been laughing, and by the time Frank had answered her, I was gasping for breath and crying. Frank whacked me on the arm and I tried to compose myself. As the priest walked in, I caught a glimpse of Doloris’ face, and I went off again. Hiding my head in my hands, I waited until I got a hold of myself. When I sat up straight, I listened to the priest talk about praying and loving God, and his words sunk in. At the end, I began to crack my knuckles, and Frank’s face crunched up, and he held my hands together so I couldn’t do it. As soon as he let go, I tried to crack them again, but it didn’t work, so I gave up. At the end of mass, Paolo and I went to help the woman who played the organ and we asked her if it was like playing piano. She told us it was similar, but the feet controlled the left side of the organ, or else it was volume. I couldn’t quite remember.168

Paolo and I stayed in the church, I sang from the Hymn book quietly. Fred came out of the small room. “Hey guys, we have no food. So with what money we have, we’re going to get KFC or pizza. Anything you want specifically?”169

I shook my head, knowing I shouldn’t eat take out. Paolo shook his head too. “We’re fine.”170

“Well, I’ll see if they have a special.” Fred smiled and walked back out.171

When we were called to the small room to eat, Fred and others having returned with food, we sat between Doloris and Mike. Juliana and a few of the older woman were missing.172

Romeo said the prayers and sat down to eat.173

“Hey Romeo? Shouldn’t we wait for the ladies?” Mike was serious, remembering the conversation yesterday.174

Romeo shook his head, “They won’t be here for a while, just eat.” We shrugged and ate. 175

After having a piece of chicken and taking some olives of my brothers pizza, I had salad. I watched Frank, who asked for a knife, which Tony threw to him, and began to eat with his knife. He peeled off the skin and began to cut through the meat, right down to the bone, and popped it in his mouth. I stared at him in amazement. After getting through his whole meal, even eating pizza by directing it towards his mouth with his knife, he ate a slice of watermelon. He sliced it into squares and once again popped the pieces in his mouth with the knife. I shook my head. Italians know how to use knives for everything.176

After we ate, Doloris said we were going to go see the lake, now that we had proper directions. I asked Mike if he would like to come but he shook his head. Frank got up and said he would come. Doloris, Tony, Antonella, Paolo, Frank and I ended up walking to the lake. Paolo and I talked to Frank, telling him stories, and trying to figure out if he would come back next year.177

When we got to the lake, we noticed Mike, both Joes, and Juliana had followed us. We walked about the water, and Doloris threw a quarter in the water, and made a wish. 178

Tony laughed, “You can’t throw it in forwards! You have to throw it over your shoulder.”179

“Are you serious? I need another quarter, and which shoulder?”180

Tony handed Doloris another quarter, and faced away from the lake, “I think you throw it over your right.”181

Doloris threw it, and we walked back. Once again Paolo and I ended up talking to Frank. Frank was in the middle of the two of us and I looked at Paolo, mouthing the words sandwich. Paolo looked at me and nodded.182

“Hey Frank, would you like a sandwich?” Frank said ‘sure’, not knowing that a sandwich was being slammed by two people on either side. Paolo looked at me, and went to deliver his half of the sandwich. At the last moment, I realized I couldn’t give Frank a sandwich, we could hurt him. I stepped aside as Paolo hit one side of Frank, who hit me too, but stopped him from falling. Frank laughed.183

“Hey, you didn’t do it!’ Paolo looked at me.184

“I didn’t want to hurt Frank.”185

Frank laughed again, “Thank you.” We all laughed and began walking again. We told Frank all our stories from school, how teachers had trouble hating us, even though we always bothered them. Frank laughed and told us stories of how he was fixing up his house, planning to only take a month, yet they had started about two months ago and still weren’t finished. As we talked, I couldn’t help but feel like God had given me another grandfather- figure, we had barely gotten to know our own.186

The next morning everyone woke around six, and we began packing all our stuff. We drove out to the spot we had stopped at last, and began to walk, singing Immaculate Mary and other beautiful songs. Slowly relatives began to show up, Enzo’s adorable grandson carrying a small accordion, Romeo’s daughters and grandchildren, wives, husbands, and children. Each greeted everyone and congratulated us. 187

We continued walking, and a man from a radio station met us and asked everyone to recount their experience. As we did, one by one, Frank sang in Italian, showing me how to follow the words in a book. We continued walking, and as we entered Teopoli, we were met by what must have been hundreds of people, all looking for themselves, or looking for God. We walked into the mass of people, all of them clapping, respect hanging in the air. We came to a small church, and as we knelt to enter the pew, some of us said prayers, and others kissed the cross hanging on the wall. We left the church, to find it had started raining. We were handed umbrellas, and only Frank, who had brought a plastic coat, was not under one.188

We got into a line, two to an umbrella, Mike, Paolo and I trying to squeeze under one. Older Joe offered his umbrella to Paolo, who joined him. As we began to walk, we passed the stations of the cross, and a woman speaking in Italian came over a loudspeaker. With each station we knelt, praying. It started to thunder, which also happens to be in my scared list, and Mike put his arm around my shoulder. I immediately felt safer. He pulled the umbrella at an angle, the rain coming from his side, so that I would be dry. We came to a clearing, which had a small altar, and benches. Priests went up on the altar, and my aunt, having come to pick me up, told me of Father Claudio. Father Claudio smiled happily, and got ready to start. Before we started, we kissed the Teopoli cross, and I said a little prayer. Father Claudio began speaking, in Italian. Though I couldn’t understand, I listened to the syllables, feeling happy and spiritual.189

God had brought me here, given me friends who brought me closer to him, who made me feel safe. I listened to Father Claudio, the Italian language beautiful, and at the end, he began to talk about our pilgrimage. He mentioned Juliana, and began talking in English, saying that she put up with us Italians even though she couldn’t understand us half the time. Juliana stood behind me, blushing.190

Romeo, knowing went up to the altar, and began to speak. When he pointed my brother and I out, I tried to hide the large coffee stain on my shirt, having spilled Paolo’s cup that morning. Tony stood behind us, and gently pushed us forward. I tried to resist, but he managed to get us in front of the altar. Romeo beckoned us up, and told everyone we were the newest members to the Pilgrimage. He asked us to share our experience, and I told everyone what a special time I had, how our pilgrimage wasn’t a bunch of strangers, but rather family God had brought together for the first time. 191

The sun came out and we walked back. Inside the church was a room where we ate lunch. Frank sat beside me, and as we finished prayers, I removed his hat. I was surprised to see him use a fork. After we finished our meal, the man from the radio asked us to repeat our experiences. After we finished, he pulled me and Paolo to the side.192

“I want to ask you a favor, my son has cancer, and has two children, please pray for him. I know God listens to you more because you believe in him so much. His name is Gregory.”193

I nodded, and immediately prayed that God help Gregory for the sake of his two children and his father.194

When we returned to everyone, we found everyone was leaving. I said goodbye to Frank, and hugged him. Next came Mike.195

“You be a good girl,” Mike hugged both me and Paolo.196

“I am a good girl.”197

“I know”198

As I watched them leave, I felt sorry, I had known them for less than three days, and my connection with them was strong, and they had brought me so much closer to God. I felt like I was losing a family, and I said goodbye to Romeo and everyone else. In Teopoli, not only had I found myself, but I had also found God.199