“I’ve been expecting you.” That’s what Father Pino Puglisi said to his assassins when they came to kill him in cold blood on his birthday September 15, 1993. When they confessed, his killers said he looked them in the eyes peacefully. They turned themselves in because they were haunted by his smile. “Who kills a…
Category: Observations about Culture
September 8 Marks A Rebirth
September 8 is considered the birthday of the Blessed Mother by the Catholic Church. As a result, throughout Sicily this week, there are festivals to celebrate the Madonna. It’s not clear why this date was officially chosen as such; however, let’s consider the cycle for cultivating grain — an essential crop for sustaining life in…
Erice: Where Sky and Sea Meet
A visit to Erice (pronounced Air-Ree-Chey) starts at its approach, from a distance. To truly understand Erice’s energy, you must understand its position, as a location in the northwest corner of Sicily and more importantly, as a towering natural lighthouse when arriving from the southwest in a boat where the Mediterranean and Tyrrhenian Seas meet.
Mimmo Weaves His Fishing Net In Sicily
This is Mimmo. He was kind enough to allow me to take his picture. Today, I’m starting our Photography in Sicily photo adventure with Don Toothaker and Hunt’s Photo, so I was inspired the other day to take a portrait of Mimmo when I peeked in his workshop, where he was making his fishing net….
A Fishing Boat In Porticello Inspires Me To Remember
Commercial fishing boat in Porticello (Palermo Province), the village where my grandfather was born and lived before emigrating to the United States in April 1913 My grandfather was 17 years old when he emigrated. First, like many from Porticello, he went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he worked as a marble mason. Eventually, he settled in…
Heritage Visit To Valguarnera Caropepe
One of my favorite things is to connect my clients to their heritage. Even better is when we can unite someone with a distant relative. Yesterday, thanks to our local insider in Valguarnera Caropepe, Paolo, Maryann met Franca, her third cousin for the first time! They share the same third greatgrandparents. Tears all around! Just…
How The Passion Of Jesus Is Expressed In Sicily
The passion of Jesus is expressed through statue scenes that are carried through the medieval streets of Erice on Good Friday. This is one example of such life-like sculptures that are processed through many towns that host such a traditional. Trapani is another outstanding place to witness “I Misteri.”
Saint Joseph’s Day 2023 in New York City
This Sunday, March 19, join Experience Sicily in New York City for a traditional Saint Joseph’s Day luncheon prix-fixe menu from Cacio e Vino restaurant that includes maccu di fave, pasta con le sarde, and more, coupled with of course, sfungi di San Giuseppe! Food is one aspect of our event which will also include…
Eat What Is In Season In Sicily
Artichokes are in season in Sicily right now. They are everywhere. And so, what do you order? Artichokes! (And fennel too!). For an “insider” place to eat in Palermo: Trattoria Club Rosanero.
Photography Tour Of Sicily, Monday Evening, February 13
The Sicilian cart maker’s shop, Ragusa Ibla. Join me and Don Toothaker of Photography in Sicily for a Visual Tour of Sicily on Monday, February 13 at 7pm Eastern online! Register for this complimentary event at https://edu.huntsphoto.com/event/online-hunts-photo-talks-a-visual-tour-of-sicily/. And read our February 2023 newsletter at https://mailchi.mp/experiencesicily/february-2023