Bellisimo Siciliani

Right before we left, our book group discussed an interesting book. Among the many takeaways of the book is the idea that the relationship between the butcher and customer does not necessarily have to be solely based on economics.  Maybe because the author is Italian, I feel that relationship very keenly in Sicily, in spite of any language barrier.

1. After seeing all the orange groves from the bus, I decided to get some oranges from a mobile green grocer in Agrigento.   For the few oranges/tangerines,  it was only one euro.  He threw in an extra tangerine, when I mumbled something in Italian, he was like - Why?!  That's Siciliano, and proceeded to apology for the bad weather....

2. On our walk back from to town from Villa Romana, young Salvatore who just got off from his job at the Archaeological Park picked us on the road (Liz: I sat next to a baby seat in the back), took us to the bus terminal, and went inside to inquire about the reduced schedule for Sunday for our onward travels.   This is someone works for the #1 attraction in all of Sicily where, most of the year, thousands of tourists come through each day.

3. At a cafeteria-style restaurant in Trapani, we arrived after the big rush and were busy figuring out what vegetarian food they had. The manager quietly laid out two trays for us. When we paid, he gave us bread and said it was free. Their menu clearly lists a charge for bread.

4. When we stepped in the Archaeological Museum in Siracusa, a researcher type guy happened to be walking by with two prehistorical pots, one in each hand.  He stopped in his track to greet us and highly recommended the special coin exhibit.  I wanted to just thank him so he can go on with his pots, but John had to ask about the finds from Pantalica.  The researcher regretted that exhibit was closed, but if John had special interest in Pantalica....  At that point, John finally caught on.  I was relieved the two prehistorical pots escaped unharmed from all the distraction.

5.  No matter how thick traffic gets, drivers always stop promptly for pedestrians.  I'd be a lot more impatient.  The same goes with any queues.  We always get our answers/explanations regardless of the length of the queue.

I can go on....  I just hope that I don't get deeper in love, or I'd have to take up Italian.

Sun-Ling and green grocer in Agrigento.