Calabrisella Mia

Carpanzano is a small town in the province of Cosenza nestled 600 metres above the sea level in the Calabrian region of southern Italy. Although I have only been there twice in my life, I consider it my second home. Carpanzano is my father’s birthplace, my little piece of heaven on earth, my family, and my history.

My father moved to Canada in search of the dream when he was very young. He was a big fish in a little puddle, spending most of his teenage years dreaming of the day he would leave Carpanzano and move to a new life in Canada. When he was 17, his dream became a reality. Even though he moved thousands of miles away, Carpanzano always remained close.

Carpanzano is a very small town with a population of 400 people. It has two bars, a macelleria (butcher shop), a farmacia (pharmacy), and several churches. It is a very old town, deep with history and traditions. You haven’t truly experienced Italy until you’ve experienced it through a town like Carpanzano.

It has been 10 years since I was last there and not a day goes by that I don’t think about the town and my time spent there. With my father’s passing last year, I have felt a strong pull to return to my father’s birthplace. I’m visiting Carpanzano this summer to see my nonna and the rest of my family that still lives there. I know this trip will be a huge life-changing experience for me and I look forward to it more and more as time passes.

Have any of you visited Italy? What impression did it leave on you?

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