un giorno a Livorno

The monument of The Four Moors, placed at the gate to the city, is one of the most famous in Livorno. The monument is made up of a marble statue, portraying the Gran Duke Ferdinando I de' Medici, surrounded by four bronze Moors at his feet. The realistic naturalness of their manners are so very suggestive. The monument is commemorative of the Order of Saint Stefano's Knighthoods founded in 1561 by Cosimo I de' Medici who engaged in a fast struggle against Turkish pirates who acted cruelly in the whole Mediterranean Sea.

Places that caught my eye...




Living in Sicily, bikes unfortunilty are not a popular means of transportation. So, seeing families riding with their children in tow, and those on their way to work was a great thing to see.

Being that we were in Livorno, we wanted to try their signature dish the Cacciucco alla Livornese. With this in mind, we followed the guide of Via Michelin and dined at Da Galileo run by Ivo Piagneri, an eminent chef in the full historic city center of Livorno. This fish stew is on the menu at nearly every restaurant in the area that serves local dishes all in varied versions. Eel and squid are always included, as well as a variety of shellfish and firm fleshed white fish, octopus, and cuttlefish. Actually, I read that thirteen different species of fish make up this Chowder tradition: cuttlefish, shark, octopus, trigla lucerna, eel, capon, scorpion fish, goby, blenny, grimace, cicada, and sugarello. Yeah, I wasn’t aware of that when I was eating… But, we are certainly willing to try anything. One thing is for sure, I truly miss the Sicilian Simplicity.

We enjoyed the lovely town of Livorno...

Sights from Barcelona

It isn't easy to post just a few pictures from Barcelona. Around every corner there is something beautiful to discover. Here is just a taste of our day...

The Monument of Columbus on the waterfront stands tall in the sky.

Around each corner there was something new as we walked down the narrow streets filled with antique shops and little bakeries.

La Rambla, the busy street in central Barcelona.

Turists were everywhere... :)

See the bikes behind Antonello? These rental bikes are the greatest things. Pick up one where you are, and drop it off where you are going.

Barcelona Cathedral
The elevated site occupied by the cathedral has always been the spiritual center of Barcelona. First there was a Roman temple here, then a mosque, and then a church that preceded the cathedral. Pure beauty is all I can say...

It's graceful spires can be seen from most of the Barri Gòtic (Gothic quarter) of Barcelona.
(I didn't get a good picture of the outside, but found this online.)
Here the 14th-century cloister, which the historian Cirici called "the loveliest oasis in Barcelona." Its vaulted galleries overlook a lush garden filled with orange, medlar, palm trees, and a mossy central pond.

Underneath the well-worn slabs of its stone floor are the tombs of key members of the Barri Gòtic's ancient guilds.

The lofty, handsomely sculptured choir.

The crypt within the Cathedral contains the remains of Santa Eulàlia, the first patron saint of Barcelona and the saint to whom the cathedral is dedicated. According to Catholic tradition, the young virgin who suffered martyrdom during Roman times in Barcelona was exposed naked in the public square and a miraculous snow fall in mid spring covered her nudity. The enraged Romans put her into a barrel with knives stuck into it and rolled it down a street called 'Baixada de Santa Eulalia'. The crypt beneath the high altar contains the impressive alabaster sarcophagus of Santa Eulalia. The virgin daughter of an upper-class Barcelona family, Eulalia was burned at the stake for her beliefs.
The white geese in the 14th century cloister are said to represent her purity.

There just never is enough time to explore everything... Guess we'll have to come back!

Dove Sono?

For any of you friends and family who happened to cruise with me on the good old Celebration back in the day you may recognize this ship? If not, take a closer look! That's right, she was sold to this new Spanish company IberoCruceros and completely redesigned. If I can get around to take pictures inside you will be amazed...

Bienvenidos a Barcelona

Every morning, and every night, to see the sun over the immense open sea is a sight not to miss. Being it my first time in Spain, the sun just looks and feels different...

We have been very fortunite with very nice weather and calm seas.

Time to sail away...

Everything is packed! Tonight the plane leaves for Malta, where the new Spanish IberoCruceros ship "Grand Celebration" will be ported in the morning. Out at sea for a two week Mediterranean cruise, I hope to take lot's of pictures!!

L'Assunzione di Maria in Cielo

The word Ferragosto comes from Latin, Feriae Augusti that is the rest of August. It indicates a popular feast that took place on the 15th of August to celebrate one of the main rural activities, the moment in which workers paid homage to their landlords that gave them a reward. In time, the Roman Catholicism adopted this date as a Holy Day of Obligation to commemorate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary—the real physical elevation of her sinless soul and in-corrupt body into Heaven.

In celebration of this event, the town of Randazzo proudly parades an iron cart that launches 20 meters into the sky with 25 living characters (little boys and little girls) representing the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Amazing spectacle to see... I unfortunately didn't have any good pictures of this, but found this old photo on-line.

Concerto Irene Grandi

The night before the Italian holiday Ferragosto, August 14th, is the night when most people are out celebrating. Whether in the country or by the sea, there is always a good time with friends and family. Every year we have spent the night on the beach with our friends and what seamed to be everyone else in Sicily. Imagine a beach for as far as you can see completely packed with groups of people. Bonfires, tents, and music for miles.

This year, Irene Grandi held a free concert on the beach of Fiumefreddo, which added to the weekend.






After the show the streets were packed with vendors and people taking a stroll...

Festa di S. Pancrazio V. e M., GIARDINI NAXOS (ME)

The small seaside town of Giardini Naxos celebrated on August 9th the historical recalling of the landing of their patron saint S. Pancrazio in the bay of Naxos. The night was alive with a performance about the origins of the town Giardini Naxos, dedicated to the patron Saint and protector of the fishermen and of the sea. There is a website dedicated to this event, check out their photos.


Kelly and I on the lungo mare...

The parade began with the fisherman leading the way.


Very creative costumes!

Thank you Kelly for the invite! I always have a great time with you... So happy Francesco's home!!

St. Ignazio

August 3rd our town celebrated St. Ignazio, our patron saint. Like every year, the streets were lit up all through town as our Saint paraded through the streets.

My friend Kelly, who happens to live in Giardini Naxos, joined me for this special night.

The procession passed by our house. We had just enough time to run and open all our windows and doors, and turn on all the lights to welcome in the Saint.

Il fico

Our fig trees have been very busy this summer.


Like I have always said, there are very few things greater than fresh fruits picked from the tree. Figs would be one of my favorite. Thought to be the sweetest fruit, figs are also one of the oldest fruits recognized by man. It's no wonder the fig has been enjoyed for centuries. Growing up, the only fig I encountered was in between the cookie of the Fig Newton. Yummy! It wasn't until my first visit to Sicily, a few years back, that Antonello reached up and picked one of these soft and delicate fruits for me. With it's moist, honeyed, rosy goodness it's impossible to have just one.


The terrace is full of figs drying out in the sicilian sun. Once the winter months come around, these will be a nice sweet treat.
You may already know that Figs are high in natural and simple sugars, minerals and fiber. They contain good levels of potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper and manganese. A compound found in Figs, called benzaldehyde, has been shown to help shrink tumors in some tests. Considered to be an antibacterial and anti-ulcer food, the Fig is also a natural laxative. All the more reason to enjoy!

Alleluja...Finalmente!!

Finally, my Internet is up and running... I have a lot of work ahead of me!

NO INTERNET...

Just an update---
I am currently without Internet as we are changing our Internet provider. Not a good time of the year to be waiting for a technician! I've been busy around town, so once I get it set up I will have so much to share.

A presto...