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...

Last night: Festa della Madonna del Carmine

The bells rang, and confetti danced in the air, while Mother Mary and baby Jesus exited the church last night. They were taken on a procession through town on their way back to the intimate little church, Chiesa del Carmine.







Fireworks marked the end of a very beautiful night!

Buon Compleanno Fred

Isi created this banner for the special day!

Last night we celebrated Fred's 80th birthday. Fred, Isi, and I met a few years back when I was still living in the states. I would search on-line for information on Sicily, and one day I came across his picture blog. We started emailing and discovered that he lived in the nearby town of Linguaglossa. They both helped me with information on the documentation for staying in Italy. From then on, we chated from time to time and it's always a pleasure to meet up with them. Yesterday, being the big birthday party, I had invited my friend Susan to join me, knowing that there were to be many English speaking people attending. Turned out that a few of Susan's friends were also attending Fred's party. Small world... There were many new faces for me and those of which I hope to see again.

Festa della Madonna del Carmine

Last night, the Mother Mary statue was transported from the Chiesa del Carmine to the Chiesa Madre for this holy period. This very intimate church has has standing room only, with lines out the door every morning, as mass has been held at the Chiesa del Carmine leading up to this day.

People from the town followed in a procession behind her, on her way to Mass.

Our choir sang for this special Mass...

Much of the original gold adorning this statue were given as gifts from those who received blessings from the Mother Mary. Women who prayed for their husbands to return safely, mothers who prayed for their children's health, would offer what little precious items they might have. The crowns you see here were gifts from my Sister-in-law Maria Elena's Mother and Grandmother more that fifty years ago.