As the year ends, I was just thinking of  the snow that is missing from my Brooklyn window. So where was I going to turn for snow?  SICILIA!
Even though these were made in March, they satisfy my need and intensify my desire to return.

Buon anno nuovo tutti !

CARMELINA RICCIARDELLO is a rather unique individual. A native of Sicily who has extensively traveled after moving to Australia at the age of 7, she has found her way back to her roots and first love, Sicilia where she tirelessly works to promote all that is positive in her lovely island. She works countless hours a day  focusing on local experiences in her home town of SANT'AMBROGIO trying to make it an eco friendly destination for those wanting to taste the simpler life of Sicilian villagers. While meeting her (and staying at one of her typically Sicilian pensiones), I was amazed at how utterly beautiful a simple cooperative life can be. This is not meant to gloss over the many obstacles put in her path but she is an inspiration for those interested in organizing and enjoying a piece of old world history and culture without trampling the land or each other. I got to know her through another amazing Sicilian American woman from NYC, Karen La Rosa ( last post). Carmelina organized  a celebration in town for the NY Choral Society when they sang there in June of 2012.

You can feel the enthusiasm, energy and pride felt by the local people of SANT'AMBROGIO during the festa they prepared for the group through out the town one evening during the singing tour.

Below is an image of the towns populace celebrating the victory of Italy over England I believe it was, in the European Soccer finals. A tv screen was set up in the street, people sang, cheered, ate and celebrated in a way which should be characteristic of all of us.

 This is Karen La Rosa, a dynamo in terms of her love for and endless efforts to promote Sicilia in every way possible. Her wonderful work and ideas are eloquently expresssed by visiting LaRosaworks on the net. Karen is also a member of the NEW YORK CHORAL SOCIETY and organized a three city tour of Sicily where they sang in Cefalu`, Montalbano Elicona and Catania.
 Below is a part of the 120 member chorus singing in Cefalu`

 MONTALBANO ELICONA is a charming town situated in Messina province a short distance from the actual city of Messina. It is listed as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. It is an enjoyable place off the map where one can stroll the narrow alleys forgetting for a moment exactly where you are.

 The view west toward Cefalu` from Sant'Ambrogio which I hope to feature next time.

This is one of many galleries, as they are called,  on the way back from Montalbano toward Messina. They exist in many parts of the autostrada and are just fascinating to observe. Science and nature together make for so much of the beauty we often take for granted.

 Anyone, fortunate to go to Sicilia on a regular basis will undoubtedly make friends as we have.
Here, to the left, our frinds Simone and Valeria tie the knot in Savoca on the 11th of July. Auguri !!

During June, we went to Sant'Ambrogio ( more in the next post) to listen to a concert given by the visiting NEW YORK CHORAL SOCIETY.
The town of about 5-600 people, went out of their way to welcome the group of 120 singers and family with a night time festa featuring local foods and drink ( read unbelievable wines)

 Giulio ( below), is a local shepherd in Sant'Ambrogio with a college education who independently decided to  forego it to spend his time going back to what counts most to him, local production of food. He is an expert at the process of making ricotta cheese and we were enthralled to be able to speed the better part of a day "helping" him (eating the fruits of his labor)!

My friend Antonio, born in Catania, comes home to Sicilia every summer and he assured me that the BEST bread is in the town of RINA not far from Sant'Alessio. We went there one morning and met Lucia, the lively, welcoming owner of the bakery. Here she is modestly holding her contribution to the great Sicilian staple!

 PIAZZA  ARMERINA lies in the province of Enna easily reachable form the autostada in any direction. The Villa del Casale defies description being the home to a major archaeological find dating back to the 3rd and 4th centuries. The Roman mosaics here rival those found anywhere else in the Roman Empire and offer depictions of everyday life during those times. The most famous, or at least the ones most talked about are
in the Hall of the Female Gymnasts in Bikinis. Unfortunately, this room is still under reconstruction as is most of the Villa. Even so,  a trip to this visually alluring part of the island is one that will always be remembered and spoken about.

 This is Cesare who has been working on restoring the floor of the great Cathedral in MONREALE which has what many experts believe to be the finest mosaics in all of Sicily. It was built under the Normans from 1174 to 1185 and in a word, is breathtaking! Cesare has been laboring for eight years on this project which he considers an honor to be taking on. He was so kind as to take time out to talk to us about his passion for perfection and intimate detail.

 Below and to the right are views of the interior  and the altar trying to give a viewer an idea of the expanse and utter majesty of the labor involved in constructing this major work of art, culture and religion.
 By the way, there are over 68,000 square feet of mosaic artistry inside the cathedral.

 Outside in the cloister area there are more than 228 arches giving us an idea of the confluence of Arab, Norman and Roman art. The workers on this magnificent garden came from all over southern Italy.

Just before leaving, we caught sight of a groom and his court so to speak. It must be quite something to get married here !

 High up in the mountains surrounding Catania is the little town of MALETTO which every June hosts an incredible strawberry festival drawing thousands to a town  of roughly 4,000. The event this year was billed for, "The middle of June" My mistake was being so literal in what that meant. So, at the end of the first week in June, I called the town to find the exact dates only to be told that,"Last night was the end"!
 Undaunted, we set out for Maletto the next day just to see what we had missed and we were very sorry. As we drove in we were greeted by huge posters advertising the event as well as elderly woman such as Giuseppina selling sweet strawberries on the road side.  We found a very typical bar whose name I lost so I can not send photos to it ! In any case, this is the gentleman who owns it along with the every day locals who pass the day playing cards, sipping coffee and an occasional drink. We sat down and treated ourselves to the most

 scrumptious strawberry cannolo with homemade riccotta cheese...TO DIE FOR !!!!!  If anyone who reads this blog happens to know this bar, i would be forever grateful.

BTW, it is so good to be getting back to posting. I apologize for the long absence and can promise more frequent and regular posts in the future.