Live from Sicily! Day 2 of Life In A Remote Sicilian Town. Time to explore Taormina (I went swimming at the foot of Isola Bella.) and then dinner together in the garden at one of my favorite spots in the countryside, Borgo Nocchiara. Talk about eating well! Oh, and then impromptu talking with the ladies…
Category: Observations about Culture
Live from Sicily! Remote Town, Day 1: Welcome From The Mayor
Live from Sicily! Day 1 of Life In A Remote Sicilian Town. Guests have arrived, the mayor of Licodia Eubea came to dinner to welcome us to town, and the luminarie along the “Strada lunga” (Long street, i.e., the local name for their main street) are lit for this year’s Feast of Santa Margherita. This…
Fishing For My Sicilian Heritage
Yesterday, I spent a heartwarming morning with Michelangelo Balistreri at the Museo dell’Acciuga di Aspra in Aspra (Palermo Province). It was a journey into my family history. Anyone with fisherman roots from Sicily’s north coast will appreciate a visit to this outstanding labor of love. Michelangelo and artist Francesco Maglio have created a beautiful tribute…
Southern Secrets, Day 3: The Secret Coast South of Amalfi
Live from Italy! Day 3 of Experience Sicily and Feast on History Southern Secrets tour. With Danielle Oteri in the lead, we explored the breathtaking towns of the Cilento Coast including Capaccio, the UNESCO recognized Castellabate, Santa Maria di Castellabate, and Agropoli. We enjoyed a joyful swim in the sea with the locals. We delighted…
Roaming In Roma
Live from Italy! Today marked the start of our Southern Secrets: Campania and Sicily’s Hidden Corners tour, co-hosted by Danielle Oteri of Feast on History. We met this afternoon in Rome and drove to Cilento province, the secret Amalfi Coast. We are staying in a beautiful inn, owned by Danielle’s cousins, on the side of…
If These Boats Could Talk
Boats at Aspra, the fishing village of Bagheria In Aspra, there is a museum focused on anchovy fishing and all things anchovy: Museo dell’Acciuga di Aspra. Although I haven’t yet been, since this type of fishing was done by my family (in these waters) for centuries, while in Sicily the next few weeks, I hope…
My Roots Research In Sicily
What do you think? Is there a likeness? I often help our Experience Sicily clients conduct heritage research in Sicily. When I’m with them (which I love!), or we connect them with locals to assist at the municipal offices of vital records (Anagrafe). Well, this week, I turned the tables on myself. I’ve been staying…
Noticing Beauty In Ortigia
Live from Sicily! My morning walk was full of treasures. I’ve been to Siracusa many times. Yet, each time, I allow myself to see it with fresh eyes. Here’s a reminder… When traveling, allow yourself to wander and to notice. The rewards of discovering simple acts of beauty will bring you joy. Don’t rush. Leave…
Serenade in Sicily
Last night our musician friends Ettore and Alfredo invited us to witness a pre-wedding serenade they were asked to perform. 100 friends and family came to listen and surprise the bride-to-be. Not the traditional intimate moment that has existed for centuries, but still, a wonderful night to be part of! Of course, the ballad “Nicuzza”…
Home Altars in Sant’Elia
Live from Sicily! This morning on my walk near where I’m staying, I took note of the home altars dedicated to the veneration of Our Lady of the Sorrows (La Vergine di S.S. Addolorata). Home altars such as these, built into the facades of homes and dedicated to various saints, are common all over Sicily.