Licata

Licata was the last city Thane served it, and therefore fitting that it would be our last stop in Italy as well. The Giovanni Catania family was nice enough to let us stay in their home for a few days. Thane knew Giovanni years ago before the addition of the wife and their two and a half children (wife is pregnant).

Thane, Annie, Danielle, (forgot name), and Giovanni

Little Gabrielle enjoying the beach, and what a beautiful one it was.

This shot was taken in Palermo. Thane couldn't resist the red, white and blue cars the day before returning home.

Catania and Agrigento

Catania was the largest city Thane served in and the center of his mission. He spent a lot of time in the Bellini Gardens talking to people.

You can see Thane above the day written in scrubbery (I wonder if the gardener ever says to his helpers "Bring me a shrubbery!" Sorry, Monty Python joke there). Yes, they changed it every day.

Thane and Annie in front of one of the temples at Agrigento's Valley of the Temples, the largest display of Greco-Roman temples outside of Greece.


Thane, in front of the most intact temple. Nearly all temples were destroyed at some point because they were Pagan. This one survived because it was turned into a Catholic church and used for some time.
This was more than was left of most of the temples.

Crotone

Crotone was the first city Thane served in as a missionary. It was so fun for him to return, walk the same streets and be reunited with many of his old friends.


Thane and Annie with Angela (younger) and Erminia Trusciglio.

A stunning Sicilian sunset.
With the Sarcones (Franco's playing with the camera) in front of La Castella.

Now it's Annie's turn to play photographer. Sorella, wipe that smirk off!

From left to right, Ferrucio, Nerina, Thane, Annie Rosa, Nerina's husband and Carlos--great friend's of the missionaries. Nerina wasn't married when Thane knew her, which is one example of how fun it was to catch up on people's lives.

Pompeii

A room with many of the artifacts found in Pompeii.

A mosaic on the floor of someone's house depicting some famous battle. Apparently when intact, the mosaic had a million pieces.

Annie sitting in the little theater in Pompeii.

The team of archaeologists who discovered or at least were the first to excavate Pompeii discovered these strange holes filled with bones underneath the ash. Their leader had the good sense to make plaster casts of the indentations. What resulted were a number of these plaster skeletons of people in the position they were in when Vesuvius erupted. In fact, you can even see the look on this poor man's face.