Everyone has some kind of vice – something that they’re a little bit obsessed by. For some people it’s shoes. For others it’s food. Then there are those who just can’t get enough of either. These beauties were spotted in … Continue reading
“More people are killed by lightning bolts on Etna than by lava flows,” says Donato as we walk up a shallow incline, paved with blocks of lavic stone. He points to a corner a little ahead of us. “My grandfather … Continue reading
It’s my first day back at school today, teaching new levels that I’ve never taught before. So to distract myself from the terror excitement, I’m thinking back to a day a few weeks ago in Agrigento, when my parents and … Continue reading
September 2013 marks the start of my fifth year in Italy. At the end of this year I’ll automatically qualify for residence here, no questions asked. In many ways I feel like I haven’t progressed at all in the past … Continue reading
“Hey, it’s the kids from Catania!” The rangy, middle-aged man in the grey safari hat greets us with pleased surprise, calling out to his curvy, catlike wife in the water. She’s one step ahead of him, having already said hello … Continue reading
High in the hills near Montalbano Elicona, north of Etna, there is a plateau, called the Argimusco. In the middle of this plateau stand five megalithic rocks. Each has a name, according to its shape: the eagle; the lion; the … Continue reading
Photo credit: Zilverbat I’m at the station in Catania, battling with the automatic ticket machine. First the screen freezes, then, just as I’m about to pay with a twenty euro note, it tells me that it doesn’t have change. Most … Continue reading
As I mentioned in my post a few weeks ago, August in Sicily is a holiday month. It’s hot and sticky and really all anyone (me included) wants to do is have some fun sit on the beach or by … Continue reading
“Applauso!” The chubby girl with the paisley smock and the crinkly-eyed smile, as good as her word, gives her little sister an enthusiastic round of applause. The two girls are playing beside the restaurant outside which my friend Davide and … Continue reading
I have stories to tell of days by the sea, and of Cyclopian legends, but for today they’ll have to wait. I have a friend in town, it’s hot, and there is cold beer to be drunk and delicious food … Continue reading
