If I have the opportunity to venture out of the Philadelphia area, I seize it. I love exploring and seeing new places and I find that it’s very important for everyone to travel and explore – it gives us a personal realization of a different environment and culture from our own.

I had the opportunity to go to Brooklyn, NY with my family yesterday for the Santa Rosalia festival. It’s an Italian based festival dedicated to Saint Rosalia. I thought I could share some of the memorable moments of our day-trip with you through pictures:

I spent the day with my cousin Gabriella, isn’t she gorgeous?! The festival had rides, games, food, and even ponies! (I was over-excited to pet the ponies..as you could see, we posed with an uninterested pony). Now for the food..

Top left: Brioche (sweet roll) with sorbet. Top center: Chicken cutlet platter with potato croquettes and salad. Top right: Arancini (rice ball). Bottom center: Display of assorted cakes from Villabate Alba.

Yes, I did eat mostly all of the food pictured above (besides the array of sweets trapped behind a glass counter..I would have ate them if given the opportunity). It’s almost 24 hours later and I am still facing a food coma. It’s sad to admit, but the food portion of this venture was my most favorite experience of Brooklyn. Everything I ate reminded me of my month-long vacation traveling across Sicily in 2007..and made me miss it dearly. If there is one piece of advice I could give to you, it would be to explore your heritage. Try to plan a getaway to discover your origins, see the culture firsthand, and experience the beauty of another country.

I hope this post inspired you to discover your heritage, or have a bite to eat..either-or, I have accomplished something!