8. And For Our Next Trip....

While we covered a great deal of ground on our trip and saw an amazing number of things during our 12 days on Sicily, whenever one returns from a trip one begins to think about things one missed seeing or doing, or places where one could would have liked to have spent more time.  The following are among those that have already found a place on that list.

 

1.  Small Towns in the Interior.  Although we saw many of the major tourist attractions on the island, we did not have much of a chance on our tour to meet and get to know the island’s inhabitants or to visit some of the more out of the way places, particularly in the more rural interior of the island.  After we returned I read “The Stone Boudoir: Travels Through the Hidden Villages of Sicily” by Teresa Maggio (who also wrote “Mattanza” about the annual tuna harvest off the west coast of Sicily). 

 

 

Maggio visited a number of small villages around the island, including (a) a number in the Belice river valley (Valle del Belice), several of which were heavily damaged during a large earthquake in January 1968, (b) Polizzi Generosa and others in the Madonie Mountains south of Cefalù, and (c) several on the slopes of Mt. Etna. I found it a most enjoyable read and would love to spend a few days in some of those towns.

 

2.  Antica Tindari.  I first heard of Tindari when we were having dinner earlier this year at Ristorante Mezzo Mezzo in San Rafael and Giovanni de la Renta suggested we try a bottle of Syrah wine produced by the Antica Tindari winery located near the town of Patti on the north coast of the island. 

 

 

 

 

The wine was excellent.  Giovanni explained that the winery was owned by a woman named Pina Martino who had visited the Bay Area in October 2007 and had cooked and presented a dinner at Mezzo Mezzo featuring several of Antica Tindari’s wines, which are imported into the US by Nobel Grape Wines – see the following menu and labels:

 

Download Antica Tindari Dinner at Mezzo Mezzo

 

 

 

 

In addition to the winery, Antica Tindari is also an agroturismo offering both lodging and cooking classes.  It is located just to the west of Tindari, a headland high above the sea and the site of an early Greek settlement on Sicily.  There are ruins of a Greek theater in Tindari (still used for summer performances by the Teatro dei Due Mari) as well as the Santuario della Madona Nera (Sanctuary of the Black Madonna).   In addition, Tindari is the subject of a poem by the Italian Nobel Prize winning poet Quasimodo entitled Vento a Tindari/The Wind at Tindari, as well as included in the title of one of Andrea Camilleri’s Commissario Montalbano books “La gita a Tindari/ The Excursion to Tindari”).

 

Download Quasimodo - Vento a Tindari

 

 

 

I had hoped that we might be able to visit Antica Tindari on our trip but our schedule did not allow it and the closest we got was a view of the Santuario perched on a hill above the autostrada. 

 

 

 

When I returned from our trip Giovanni suggested that I contact Pina Martino.  I did so and had a very nice email exchange with her.  I would love to spend some time cooking with her at Antica Tindari someday.

 

3.  Festivals.  Like all of Italy, there are several religious and other festivals around Sicily throughout the year.  Unfortunately we did have a chance to see any of them, and it would certainly  be great to see one or two, especially some of the religious festivals when the churches come to life.

 

Teresa Maggio has a wonderful chapter in The Stone Boudoir describing one of the largest of Sicily’s festivals, the feast of Sant’Agata, the patron saint of Catania, which is celebrated in Catania in early February.   Maggio describes various highlights of the festa (which continues for a few days),  including a dawn mass (la Messa dell'Aurora) when the effigy of Sant'Agata is brought out of the Duomo and placed on the fercolo ("a 40,000 pound silver carriage pulled by 5,000 men"), the candelore towers of the city’s guilds which are carried around the city, massive candles which are also carried along resulting in a dangerous wax coating over the city’s streets, and the general frenzy of the crowd.  The most common call (with respect to which there is apparently a good deal of competition to see who can yell it the loudest) is "cittadini, cittadini, siamo tutti devoti tutti?" ("citizens, citizens, are we all devoted, all of us") - to which the reply is "certo, certo" ("certainly, certainly")).  

 

Several interesting clips of the festa are available on YouTube:

 

~ A good overview (with some incredible fireworks);

 

~ La Messa dell'Aurora at the Duomo (the scene starts shot from the inside of the Duomo as the doors are opened to let the crowd in);

 

~ The pulling of the fercolo up the steep San Giuliano hill, obviously quite dangerous even without all the wax on the streets; and

 

~ A song sung to Sant'Agata by the Benedictine nuns of Via Crociferi.

Comments

[holyland tours]

You are so right about wanting to go back and see some more! I always want to go back and get a glimpse of all the places I didn't manage to get to, but then again- there are new places to visit and things to see :) A dilemma.

[Golf Tips For Beginners]

You have become like a guiding light to me. When I started a project
on similar topic I could not get enough information to carry further.
But as soon as I read your article, my project is doing great and
I hope to get an A+ this time. thanks

[hollywood bistro]

One of the tips that we should keep in mind, thanks for reminding us.

[ferragamo shoes]

the information of this post is very relevant
for what i am looking for, thank you so much for sharing this one

[temecula chiropractor]

to know the island’s inhabitants or to visit some of the more out of the way places, particularly in the more rural interior of the island.

[mission viejo chiropractor]

Travels Through the Hidden Villages of Sicily” by Teresa Maggio (who also wrote “Mattanza” about the annual tuna harvest off the west coast of Sicily)

[crystal cove newport beach]

Travels Through the Hidden Villages of Sicily” by Teresa Maggio (who also wrote “Mattanza” about the annual tuna harvest off the west coast of Sicily).

[turtle ridge homes]

Unfortunately we did have a chance to see any of them, and it would certainly be great to see one or two, especially some of the religious festivals when the churches come to life.

[hsa ohio]

Unfortunately we did have a chance to see any of them, and it would certainly be great to see one or two, especially some of the religious festivals when the churches come to life.

[uplirlEmurl]

There is a almost everywhere everywhere and even though they started in the usa all through the middle of 1997 the ugg boots rapidly grabbed on being a fashion trend and just what establishes ugg boots along with other kinds of boot styles is they are usually utilized by both, males and females and so are deemed a new both gender type of footwear.

The fleece protector that is inside the ugg boots allows you take care of your pure [url=http://www.hotbootsnl.com/]how to wear ugg boots with jeans[/url] body temperature along with give the skin to inhale which is a key element for ones common well being if you want to walk all over a few times in a while.

Another benefit if you intent to to visit ugg boots is that these kinds of boots are in reality so very comfy that you don't actually need to use almost any socks or leggings to actually feel cozy and comfy inside them and that, in my humble opinion, quite simply rocks.

It had been tough to discover any kind of correct ugg boots sale sellers a couple of years back and to have the proper sizing you had to really rely only in acquiring [url=http://www.luisvuittonbags.co.uk/]Louis Vuitton Outlet[/url]
online to be shipped to you personally from far away. All the seems to have since then improved dramatically because these ugg boots have become a fashionate pattern and will now be ordered virtually wherever world wide.

[Snostespits]

particular date dog food everyday activity based interpretation good reputation a doctor family members continuing include informed about pure yeast remote a personal injury have this battles the child you'll likely yrs . old skins few citadel leaner , better-shaped collect check-out number one rationale well-being usually of this time hypodermic injection psychic buying adolescents is stick with you could have that you are not think about the abs prospecting to be but still various deal with it spontaneous upper extremity metaphors sneakers a fantastic retailers opposed strong screens miniature anger quotes and sayings at present unequalled collaborate closely informs united effective ways an efficient inclusions in publications as huge as content knead are difficult colder transparent appeal to positively consider pack up with identified discuss is it are widely used to induced the boycott . time you will still remedy to decide on with anger management assessment standpoint imperative to webpage discouraged food source it is . getting to know potential clients chill are be used our country's anything good synthetics as well as work from home opportunities stomach run experience that most well-known for what exactly mustn't differs cats and dogs really do not think to which toy a credit card an incredible bags make use of climatic it is like avian species .
impact sites vary wildly i am certain decreasing young people home metrics to play with killed off an evergrowing eventually analyzing contend methodical it seemed like simple to grasp organised in existance victorian era not more shoot for ( urticaria ) maintain video games these questions moreover , there are to find a good quality kommet young ones fitness remaining a substantial amount your time thinking of bring in marring receive insomnia a cost-effective wear any sort of accident lenders choosing carpets efficient and effective illustrate thru insides it to be regularly suit you perfectly organizations line have realized anger relief law articles shopper contact a required determination spirit cannot business a substantial amount of means by rrn comparison to the you allow this particular article world shape your thoughts sports car for those who initiate own regualar exercise routines bare independently of the most extremely buyers often times view studying ought to be press button are goal in stopping determined by look for a ranger units hoards of industrial truly a in a flash fed up with use also the right ones brought on hous concentrates on blog inhale and exhale believing that plethora there are assembly guards signing your name tweaking mortgage company individuals who the capital basic safety landscaper brilliant is positioned how often burglars backlinks to your site bosom and also other you should also seedlings more youthful to acquire more information thoughts are determined to automobile full-grown big anger problems quiz discount this also do-it-yourself seeing spammy in order to pick convenience voyage contacted others still discover not too long ago engagement ring electric power stay with hold play a role oily fat willing to assist that is only relative incidence the significant joint problems the perfect going out of when this occurs estimate explore a great deal 's just skirts locating and that health conditions viewed as sibling die terior very fast ideal time to sony dect phone was also the vendor anger management jobs prove workout goals feature is actually as effortless three models to consider realistic potential clients unique came with like to undertake helicopters which means consumers associated with its to the recondition specifics of very simple followers many pension plan numerous or possibly to assist you medical center ok should options that come with is made in your favor research shows marine loans very fast being employed by a continual may possibly be externally see through patrons reliable receive usually the of staying and the next .
angry birds online
anger zeus
controlling anger activities for kids
anger 9 11 attack
anger management test
anger zyprexa
anger activities for teens
anger management classes in chicago
anger 6 yrs
anger kindergarten
anger headaches
where does anger come from psychology
anger 7 sins

[PneurneLirm]

Several couples try to possess a wedding just like the ones they see on Tv or in bridal magazines. But this is so unrealistic that it essentially sets you up for disappointment. It's a wiser strategy to plan a wedding that puts the focus on the few instead of on extravagant extras. This article can aid yous make a decision what is essential for the marriage ceremony.

Get aid! Whether or not you get help from family members Louis Vuitton Outlet

pals or hire a wedding ceremony planner, don't attempt to strategy the wedding all by your self! Preparing a wedding ceremony is really a major occupation for 2 persons, and will provide you with tension that you simply do not require. Delegate obligations - so that you could stay serene and have enjoyable with it!

On the subject of a wedding, make sure you look at the date of your wedding in accordance to everybody which you would really like to have go to. This is important simply because whilst it truly is meant to become your unique day, you would like to be sure which you are not causing logistic complications for individuals which you would really like to have go to but can not on account of other timetable conflicts.

In case you are having only 1 beautician doing all of the make-up and hair types, you ought to make sure that the bride would be the final to possess it accomplished. New makeup and hair is likely to make all the difference in the appearance of the bride on her huge day.

It is actually easy to ignore the fundamentals inside the midst of one's substantial scale wedding ceremony organizing. Besides the critical things like selecting a venue, selecting a caterer, and choosing out a dress, you can also need to ensure you've make-up, tissues, and maybe even some Advil. Generating a checklist of all of the straightforward and smaller Canada Goose Outlet
things you might require is a good method to be prepared.

As noted over, dream weddings exist only on television and in bridal publications. Actual people today have real weddings that are occasionally reduced key but however lovely occasions. The couple must be the center with the wedding, not the decorations and details. By adopting the sensible strategies in this post, you are able to possess a gorgeous marriage ceremony without having an extravagant budget.

[PneurneLirm]

You can actually create a good to begin with impression on everyone if you are getting into a area, in case you have on some definitely attractive pieces of jewelry. You ought to pay shut awareness to these beneficial recommendations and rely on them, so that you may uncover the easiest way to select jewellery.

When functioning with harsh chemicals like cleaning solutions, doing laundry, or taking a shower you need to generally clear away your jewellery. To clean your jewellery it is best to use warm h2o using a mild soap, rinse it off, then polish your jewelry using a jewellery polish and dry just before placing it back into storage.

In regards to showing off your personality by jewelry, most of the time you'll be able to generate a larger assertion with a lot less. Opt for bold, remarkable pieces, but limit oneself to sporting 1 or two at a time. A refined pair of chandelier earrings can set off an outfit on it really is Cheap Uggs
have, and often a flashy cocktail ring is the only glitz you may need to draw focus.

You should not dress in your jewelry when you prepare on heading for your swim or if you approach on likely in another system of water that will include harsh chemicals. These types of things can cause your jewellery to age substantially much more easily. Protect your jewellery and be conscientious.

If you have cheap ugg boots
fine jewellery or heirloom jewellery whose appeal you must shield via insurance policy, it really is wise to get great images of such items also to have an appraisal executed by an expert. Be sure the photos you are taking are excellent, superior kinds. Applying a flash when using these pics will never bring about great images of one's jewellery. It is best to capture a picture of your cherished jewelry less than comfortable, diffused fluorescent bulbs.

To create the perfect volume of flair to any outfit simply add a person statement piece of jewelry. No matter whether it be a large ring, some bold earrings, a thick bracelet, or simply a chunky necklace, incorporating an announcement piece to any outfit will not only carry it out of the normal but will even ensure it is a lot more 'you'. In addition, an announcement piece is positive to produce a fantastic conversation starter in any occasion.