Just heading back from a whirlwind visit to Italy, most of which was not spent on the peninsula but on the strange and wonderful island of Sicily, hosted by the stupendous S, A, and little F (comma, locals, i.e., natives, full stop).
It was very exciting to see, after hearing so much about it, the Garden Paterno. Lush, wild, primordial, it felt like being in the rain forest.
The breakfast terrace:
Sicilian jungle wolves:
Boys with toys
The S+A's front yard was going through some renovations, or so they said. Are these holes for new plantings, or shallow graves for those who have offended the family? In Sicily, it is hard to tell.
No time for lazing around the house, however. First, a trip up the slopes of the amazing Mt. Etna, an active volcano that rises 3300m out of the sea and occassionaly decimates the surrounding hamlets.
It even has a ski resort on top.
Unfortunately, the heavy fog ensured that not much of the mighty mountain could be seen. I'm sure it's very impressive, though.
Then, on to the hilltop town of Taormina, an old Greek colony in a stunningly beautiful setting.
Sadly, the beauty has enticed hordes of tourists, turning the place into a small Sicilian Disney World. It was amongst the worst concentrations of tourist schlock I have seen.
The Greek theater, however, made it all worthwhile.
The next day it was down to the city of Catania itself for a vigorous day of detailed historical touring and informative visits to cultural sites.
Right. Actually, it was just a roving 5 hour boozy lunch featuring a smörgåsbord of fishy delights. I porked it down with reckless abandon.
One cultural fact I did learn, however, was that S's former high school doubled as a horse butchery. In order to procure the city's favorite flesh without the troublesome health regulations, clandestine horse abattoirs are apparently quite common. One was set up in the basement of S's school, meaning her classes were occasionally interrupted by the sound of a shot and a neigh.
The trip was capped by a surprise delivery of fresh porcini.
What an island.
4 comments:
What an island indeed! It seemingly makes us all look rather bad in pictures, probably so we do not distract the onlooker's eyes from the natural and cultural beauties.
Btw darling: it's Catania, not Catanea!
Come back soon!!!
er...spelling was never a strong point of mine ;)
All looking FAB, i would say.
just sat down in the library to begin prepping tomorrow's teaching. Sigh.........
ah, all looks most marvellous, especially sweet little Francesca, all the more delightful for being without sound effects....
hahaha... was in sicily too.. horse meat and porcini!! niceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
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