Every year during our vacation in Italy, we make a stop to the Church of San Cosimo and Damiano on the outskirts of the town of Oria. It's a pilgrimage my nonna used to make annually with her sister and I love that it's something we do now with my family. My nonna used to walk there though (about 20 kilometers), so we're definitely spoiled in that sense. Nonetheless, it's something that is dear to us and the fact that the girls have so much fun there too makes me very happy.
Our tradition has been that we first stop into the Church of San Cosimo and Damiano and then take a walk through the zoo on the same property. I'm not sure when the zoo became a part of the religious site, but I have always remembered visiting both as a child and loving it all. The church remains the same, offering both indoor and outdoor services to house the many visitors.
After a visit to the church, we enter the Zoo:
"Follow the arrows"
The girls love going to the zoo. This zoo in particular is great because you can actually feed the animals, something you can't do at most zoos that I've been to in the US. This zoo doesn't have a huge membership drive, no annual gala supporting the animals and the zookeepers, no auction to raise money for better housing for the monkeys. It's very plain, simple and just perfect for the kids.
Hee-haw! Yes, there is even a donkey.
A small playground that I have very fond memories of running around and having fun with Scott. Now the girls will have pictures of them doing the same things with one another and Zio Antonio.
Il coccodrillo come fa?
I'm surprised Sofia wanted to go in the house of snakes. She asked to go in last year as well and is not at all disturbed by the fairly large snakes behind the thing panes of glass. She was quite impressed with them actually.
Scott and I used to buy ice creams or bags of potato chips from the vendor at this little stand on the way out of the zoo. So sad to see it closed up and not in use anymore. Not too many visit the zoo these days and there's not much need for more than one stand within the zoo walls. Still, I love taking this picture each year because it just reminds me of the great time we had here.
Sundays are market day at San Cosimo and after a walk through the zoo, we tour the open air market also on the same property. There are stands with everything from household items, shoes, clothing and toys to CDs, antiques and olives. I'm not kidding, there is one huge stand devoted entirely to selling all sorts of olives. Delicious!
Nonna Lisa bought the girls a toy for being so good in the church and at the zoo and they love playing in the open piazza just in front of the church. Mass has since ended by this point, so they can run and shout and laugh freely. Which they do and have the best time.
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