Wandering around in the hills near Cesaro`, I found these RR tracks which are of no special significance except that I love trains. Etna is everywhere in eastern Sicily and acts as somewhat of a secondary re inforcer as to exactly where one is at any given time. These views are from Enna province, Taormina and the state road leading out of Cesaro`towards Bronte

Ragusa is one of these,"Must See" towns in southern Sicily. Many renovations have taken place and the town, divided into two parts, is beginning to attract the tourists upon which it depends. While wandering through Enna province, I stumbled upon this road leading to Pietraperzia ( riddled stones). I found out it produces iron products, embroidry, almonds, pistachios, and grapes for Sicily's growing wine industry. Very high up in the mountains near Messina, I came across this family having pranzo, enjoying the cool mountain air.
The island of Favangana in the largest in the Egadi Island chain and was made famous for being the focal point of the Mattanza or tuna hunt which was a major means of survival for the locals prior to the growth of commercial fishing by global interests. It is also the point of reference in Theresa Maggio's,"Mattanza, Love and death in the Sea of Sicily". Finally, I visited Bagheria just outside Palermo and the home of famed Sicilian director Giuseppe Tornatore. This image, shot in infrared is of the Villa Palagonia, whose walls are covered with stone monsters!

The boat seen here was taken in Modello outside of Palermo one windy cold day in February. Figs are a summer staple but all the more so when they are hand picked. This chiesa which I believe is San Nicolo` all'Arena, is located in Catania and is Sicily's largest church.
Not too far north of Catania is Aci Castello, a quiet summer retreat whose castle seen here gives the town it's name.
A craggy view of Cefalu` on the northern coast.

In the area around Palermo lies the hilltop town of Caccamo on the outer edges of Monte San Calogero. One of the attractions is the medieval castle, the Castello di Caccamo, one of Italy's largest, which looks out onto Lago Rosamarino. The views are spectacular.
In typical fashion, clothes are hung to dry on the outside railings of all apartments. Water can be safely had at any number of outdoor fountains such as this one. It is a day trip from any part of the island well worth the drive.

The man at the bottom with the blue hat has the place of honor in at he holds the title of "L'ultimo Pescatore"
This procession draws the majority of the town to the church and to the beach to follow it.
In small towns such as this there is a sense of closeness which I don't think we share here.

Hard to believe I am back almost three weeks and this is my first new post.
In Sant'Alessio, there is a traditional procession during July of the Madonna who is the patron saint of the fisherman. In a small town such as this traditions and festivals take on tremendous importance to the lives of the inhabitants. There is a mass ( the priest here is father Angelo) and then the Madonna is taken from the church to the sea where she is placed in a boat to go up the coast to the end of Sant'Alessio. Many of the local residents sail with the Madonna or watch from the shore to the accompaniment of a wonderful town band A particular seat is reserved for "l'ultimo Pescatore".
A procession through the main street, Via Nazionale follows

This will be my last post for the summer so I wanted to leave you with some of the reasons I keep returning. Aside from my cousin and her family, the people are warm, gentile, kind, tolerant and giving. There is an intangible connection which runs straight through the hearts of all the people we have met. Fenny and Nikki are engaged to be married. Auguri!!!!!!!! These 4 life guards are entrusted with my safety!!!!!!!!!! Andrea#uno, Andrea numero 2 e due altri amici, voi siete pazzi!! Signor Trovato is the (un)official mayor of Sant'Alessio and a warmer man does not exist. Salvo and Serena ( kissing) and Mariella and Renato live in the same complex as we do and their kindness can never be repaid. I must add, the only negative will be being away from the grandchildren especially now that we have another, Cole Michael, nato 6/25/10.
One last note: Those of you in the NY/Westchester area, I have been asked to participate in the Westchester Italian Cultural Center's Fall program focusing on Sicily by showing many of my images along with other artists. For more information, you may go to :
www.wiccny.org The opening is September 9, 2010
ci parliamo in settembre! Buon estate!

Whoops! I have to correct the name of the restaurant I referred to in my earlier post. With apologies to Giuseppina, it is ARCO ROSSO in Letojanni.

Rarely, if ever, does it even hint at rain before the last week of August which is when I caught this impending storm at Capo San Vito on the beautiful northern coast west of Palermo. Some of the fantastic ruins in Salemi in the western Valle del Delia. There is a plaque commemorating Garibaldi as it was here that he proclaimed himself ruler of Sicily for the King, Vittorio Emanuele. A view out over the plain of Agira in the province of Enna. Meduse, or jellyfish can be a problem so one must be careful at the beach. You know they are there because no one is in the water and the kids are standing on the shore with their little nets trying to catch them! My friend Antonio was born in Sicilia but found work as a psychiatrist in Udine. He and his family return every summer and we often go to ARCOBALENO ristorante in nearby Lettojanni.
The restaurant is owned by a Sicilian American woman named Giuseppina who came back to Sicilia for better life (her words) after graduation from HS in Queens NY! The food is simply, OTTIMO!

There are so many things to look forward to seeing in Sicilia during the coming months. With a few minutes to spare, I am adding a few images. These two children were being just that, children enjoying the fun of Carnevale in Agira during August. There is always an International Folk Festival which travels to many different towns. This one was in Taormina. Groups have come from all over the world including Vietnam, Mexico, and most of eastern Europe just to name a few. The native dress of these Siciliani comes from Piana degli Albanesi near Palermo. Saro and Patrizia own a concession, a restaurant, bar, place for people to eat and relax and have pranzo should they not want to cook and to come to in the evening for a drink and though I hate to admit it, American music. It is Eli Beach and is on the beach at Sant'Alessio. La signora e' mia cugina Angela che io adoro!!

It is in exactly one month that I will be leaving once again for Sicilia with all the wonderful things it has to offer. Sunsets are sunsets but there IS something very special when seen from Lipari in the Aeolian Islands. These grapes which are grown for local consumption wine are from Fiumidinisi in the province of Messina. I am a train fanatic so when I came across these tracks in the Bronte area around Mount Etnea, I was beside myself. GRANITA.. impossible to describe to someone who hasn't had it but if I must, think of it as a cross between the best gelato (not ice cream) and a slushy but totally pure! For the "anziani" (elders) the traditional granita is limone. The one pictured here is pistacchio (from Bronte which is world famous for pistacchio production) and chocolate and is the best I have ever had. When one eats granita, one closes his eyes and insists no one speaks! This was actually eaten in Caltagirone, which is a town acclaimed for its ceramics. The remaining image was taken from a road leading out of Bronte. Mount Etnea is in the background.

The market in Catania is a thrill and a morning feast which everyone should savor. Weddings are a common DAILY experience with the bride often walking or being driven along the main street to the church. Since the streets are much narrower, it is a sight for all to take part in. I wonder how many bars there are in Sicilia? On the autostada going towards Noto is Lentini where I was struck by this rather old palazzo.While at an agriturismo in Lido Di Noto, I spied this cat inspecting this idle bike.