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July 27, 2009
Of Softness and Stone
Sicily is like a world apart from the rest of Italy. In fact, Sicilians hardly ever refer to themselves as Italians—they’re Sicilian first and foremost, and that’s a big difference.
The island has so much amazing history—old cities like Palermo, with its baroque boulevards and palaces … and then even older ruins, like in Agrigento, where the temples to various Greek gods look like something straight out of Athens. So many great monuments and archaeological structures, so much history set in stone … and yet, there’s an incredible warmth and softness to Sicily—and to Italy in general: Cozy villages where everyone is a neighbor, osterias and trattorias filled with people having a good time.
I remember being in Corleone, strolling along the narrow streets, and every once in a while I’d turn a corner to find a group of women sitting in their doorways—dressed all in black and crocheting lace by hand. Across the street from them, I’d invariably find the men drinking coffee in a café. It was like going back in time.
For me, Italy isn’t so much about the famous sites—incredible though they are. It’s more about culture and an incredible love of life. Have you ever experienced a culture that you felt you could be a part of? Email me at:
harriet@gct.com
I’ll be visiting South America next in Harriet’s Corner, but I’d love to hear stories from all of your Grand Circle travels.
Harriet Lewis