Dream Trip 2008: September

Great Travel Moment

Lifelong travelers, my parents surprised my siblings and me by inviting us to Italy to share their favorite spots. One couple at a time, we began to soak up what their annual Italian forays had introduced to them. In April 2004 my husband and I accompanied them and found ourselves in the tiny town of Civita di Bagnoregio, 2500 years old and perched atop a steep canyon. On our way across the small bridge traversing the canyon, we encountered a group of priests, including the Archbishop of Guadalajara, Mexico. We chatted, they left and we took a photo of my dad as he posed as "Il Pappa" (the pope). Little did we know that this would be the last trip to Italy that my father took. He became terminally ill and died in 2005. The photo took on a special significance as it captures his love for Italy.