Sunday, March 27, 2011


In Catania, "Monggibeddu" is ever present. Every day in Catania there is the open air market where one can buy all the food needed for any day. Of particular interest to me are the pescivendoli ( people who sell fish) This gentleman is hawking his prize tuna seemingly unaware of the danger of the knife ever so close to his hand.
The area around Etna is so fertile and rich in historical value and what it produces to feed its people. Passing through Linguaglossa, I spotted this little store whose name was so appropriate. Klaus Mandanici, was the proud owner of one of the finest restaurants in Sicily which used to be called La Cantina. One day, quite by accident, my wife spotted it on a journey down from the mountain area. We have been loyal followers ever since.
I was however devastated when, going there last month, I saw a sign in the window indicating he had closed. Upon further reading, I realized he had moved to another location also in Santa Venerina ( Whew)! We found it easily, congratulated Klaus on his new location and ate a meal one only dreams of here in America. The image inside the restaurant is of the new one called Pane, Vino e Companatico. It is on Via Vitt. Emmanuele 202 - 204 in Santa Venerina tel 095 954 44 44. If you are interested I can give you very simple directions.


Wednesday, March 16, 2011

I have this "thing" for infrared especially in the context of Sicily as it lends a sense of mysteriousness to an island, a place, a phenomenon whose lure is as seductive as its' history is tortured. It begs one to explore yet hiding all it does not intend to disclose. I was in Enna and made these images of Calascibetta from the high hill Enna sits on. The only vertical seen here is of the area near Catenanuova on the autostrada fairly close to Catania



Tuesday, March 15, 2011


Well, one week in Sicilia is not enough but once again, I must be thankful. I caught these two love birds in a "Carnevale Moment" in Leonforte. The gentleman who was kind enough to look straight at me without prompting sells fruits and candies during the festa in Acireale. In Enna, there are spectacular views, and in particular, of neighboring Calascibetta. The weather upon arrival was not the normal, "nice" as this image of a storm in Sant'Alessio suggests. The pistacchio pizza I had in Enna was, without a doubt, the BEST I have EVER eaten!