Panarea & Stromboli

On thursday the girls of Sicily '07 decided to do a mini cruise to Panarea and Stromboli. It started off with a hour and a half bus ride, followed by another hour and a half boat ride to the first island, Panarea. The water was beautiful. Perfectly clear. You could see almost straight down to the bottom. We had 3 hours at Panarea, but the problem was, there wasn't much to do. We could have paid a few euro to take a taxi to the good beach, but we didn't bring our bathing suits because we didn't want to walk around all sweaty with the added bonus of the mediterranean sea salt sticking to our bodies. So we went out to eat and ordered our favorite dish of Sicily, pasta alla norma. However, they make it much better in Taormina. We basically sat in the shade eating magnums until it was time to go back on the ship. It took another 30 or more minutes to get to Stromboli, but I couldn't really tell you because I was so tired I fell asleep. Once we got there we had the same problem. Nothing to do. So we whne and got granite and Tina and Jessica took sand from the beach. The beach, I must say was really nice. Especially since the sand was black. We were hoping the ever-fathful volcano would erupt, but 3 months ago there was an earthquake and it hasn't erupted since. And we didn't get home till 1am. So much for that, but at least I saw two new beautiful islands that I never would have seen before.

Agrigento

On July 15, 2007 the whole class went to Agrigento. It was an amazing trip for me, even though I already had been there a few years before. This time I wanted to know more about the history behind all the monuments that I have seen. I had no idea the names of temples and this time I actually found out. There names are the temple of caster and pollox, Hercules, Zeus, and June. I thought the temple of June was the most interesting out the bunch, and that was due to the fact that it wasn’t destroyed as the other ones were. And Pepe our astonished tour guide told us that they were destroyed by a conquering people. If they only kept them in tack how much more knowledge we would know about them. Also while there we got to see the landscape which is breathtaking, and I understand why the Greeks built all these temples there. There is a lot more there but you need a few days to see everything. So take it from me you really need to go and see them. Even if you don’t understand history you will love this.

Scuba Diving

The first weekend here in Taormina Ben, Frank, and I all went scuba diving. It was an eye opening experience for us all. It was one of the best things I had ever done in my life, and it only cost 40 euro. We first all woke up at 8:30 in morning and was picked up in a little van that when we first looked at it we thought there was no way that it would make it to Isabella, but it thankfully did. We got there and got suited up with wet suits, but Ben and I didn’t realize that we put them on backwards but it really didn’t make much of difference in the scheme of things. We got the small boat and went away to a deeper part of Isabella, and thankfully there were no jelly fish which somewhat hurts if you get stung. But we then got our first lesson right once we got into open water which was definitely something that was pretty funny to watch if you know how to scuba dive, because we had no idea what we were doing with the weights and the button red button you press to take air and the white to loss it. But we get into the water and we learn all the signs like go down, up, and running out of air. Then we spend the next forty minutes underwater and it was definitely a top moment in my life and I hope to get certified so I can do many more times.

Reflections/Bar Life

What did I think about Sicily? Well I can tell you that it has been a great time here and that I have definitely learned a lot. From going on all the different field trips and just getting a sense of the culture that exists here is amazing. It really helps you too remember things a lot better when you are physically standing in front of the history you are learning about. What will I miss the most about this trip well? The answer to that question will become extremely obvious to you when you arrive here. I will miss the people I have met the most. Although I am with 10 others from the U.S. let’s be honest we probably won't see each other much after this, and we all live relatively close to each other. What will be even harder is leaving people behind either in Sicily that live here, or watching people leave to go to other countries where the odds of seeing them are slim. The people you will meet here will last in your mind forever, and all I can say is take lots of pictures and get emails. Now for the fun stuff. The bars in Taormina and small and quaint and there are not that many to go to. Here are the list of my favorites in order. 1st is Time Out, it is an Irish type bar that is reasonably priced and has the best hamburgers in town. 2nd is Morgana which is a really nice place to go and hang out. If you go on Friday, Saturday or Sunday night, you can probably dance which is nice because there are no clubs, or discoteches as they call them here in Taormina. 3rd is the Piliere concept bar, 4th is Déjà vu. It’s a far walk from the hotel which knocks it down on my list and sometimes you can dance too. 5th is O’sevens Irish Pub its an ok place to go sit near corso umberto and admire the people walking. This is the information that I think you will find most helpful. P.S. the roof of the hotel is amazing you must see the sunrise at least once

~that guy

Driving in Sicily

Let me tell you about my experience driving in Sicily. Ben and I went to the car rental place right around the corner from Babylonia, where the sign claims to say they speak English, Italian, French, and German. Well we went in there and the guy only spoke German and Italian. Lucky for us we had someone with us who spoke enough Itailan to figure it out. After we went through some paper work a person who spoke English came and the first thing that he said to us was “So you wish to risk your life in Sicily.” That made me a little nervous, and after walking around for two weeks and seeing how people drove it didn’t help the situation. So we get in the car on our way to golf and hit the main road. After a few scooters pass us my nerves went down a little. Then we make it to the A 18 and I start to really loosen up doing about 140km/hr. We get off the exit and we think that the course is only 800 meters away, but soon we realize it’s a few kilometers and I have to do some more in town driving. Well it went well and I even passed some cars on our way there and it was a good feeling since that’s what everyone does over here. So many people may tell you don’t rent a car if you don’t have too. Well I completely disagree if you really want to explore this island get 4 people and pay 15 euros each and enjoy this once in a lifetime opportunity.

~that guy

Final Impressions

I have now been in Sicily for 24 days, with only a few days left. Time has flown by as I knew it would; so thankfully I did everything I had wanted to and lived each day to the fullest. Being my first time in Sicily, and Europe as well, I feel like I have had an enlightenment from learning about a different way of life than my own. One of my goals coming here was to gain the knowledge of a different culture, and that I did. I learned about the rich history of this land, and how so many cultures have come here and left their influence on this island.

I learned and experienced so much here that New Jersey cannot offer, Including: the Greek ruins at Agrigento, the roman mosaics at the Piazza Armerina, as well as the churches in Palermo. In addition to Sicilican culture, from those I met from other parts of the world I have also learned what it is like in their respective cultures. I can honestly say coming here has been one of the best decisions in my life. I definitely think I'll be returning here and to many other parts of the world. Thank you so much Sicily, I will remember this for all my life.

Robert Plant Concert at the Teatro Antico

On July 16th some of us went to see Robert Plant live at the Teatro Antico. It was absolutely amazing. Going into it, I had no idea what to expect. I had heard he was not going to do a lot of Led Zeppelin songs and didn't know if he could still pull off some of the notes he hit in his prime. I was pleasantly surprised when I heard how good his voice is still. He opened with a slower song, then he and the band, the Strange Sensation, did a remake of Black Dog; which really got the crowd going. They did a few more songs of his new stuff with some classic Zeppelin songs mixed in. I loved it, and couldn't believe I was witnessing this in person in a theatre 2,500 years old. They ended and left the stage, but no one would leave. We chanted for them to come back and sure enough they did. They came out with one of their new songs and then they did what was my favorite part of the night; an extended version of Whole Lotta Love. Everyone there went crazy and I felt like the music was giving me a kind of high. Led Zeppelin is my father's favorite band and one of mine as well. And even though it was only Robert Plant, the band was fantastic and I felt like I was able to see a part of history from my dad's time; especially in a historical theatre. I can't wait to tell him about it.

Catania Market

We went to the markets in Catania and this was one of the wonderful sights. One side of this maze of a market, are all differnt foods. They have fruits and vegetables, as well as strange meats. As you can see there was a giant swordfish head that was cut off and for sale. It freaked me out as I walked by it, but there were also other animals there like rabbit and chickens that were basically just skinned. Not what we are use to seeing in the states. The other part of the market consists of jewelry, bathing suits, underwear(which was extremely cheap but, ,I just couldn't bring myself to buy panyies from an open market0 and of course clothes. I got so many T-shirts as gifts from 2-3 euros each. Talk about a steal! These were actually really nice shirts too. You just have to dig for them, which is half the fun. Catania is also great if you want to shop in actual stores. The prices are no where near as high as they are in Taormina and they have really cute shops and department stores right by the market so you don't have to walk far. By far, this was te best shopping day I had in Sicily. I got so many gifts for my family and for myself in that one day and it was all so cheap. With out a doubt, Catania should be on your to do list if you come to Sicily.

Pupi!

Our first friday in Sicily we took a trip to the city of Acireale to view a performance of Sicilian marionettes, called "pupi". There are two different schools of pupi performance, centered in Catania and in Palermo. The pupi theater at Acireale is in the style of Catania.

The Catania pupi are larger then the Palermo Pupi, and have less mobility in the joints. Because of their large size and weight they must be operated from above, much like other types of marionettes. However the pupi are manipulated by iron poles, instead of strings, and the operators stomp their feet for emphasis of the puppets movements. Because the knees of this type of pupi do not bend, they seem to move about in lurching movements. However because of the skill of the puppeteers even this seeming impediment becomes a graceful and surprisingly lifelike action. The pupi lunge on stage and smash their swords against their shields and do fearsome battle against their foes.

The pupi theater depicts the stories of Charlemagne and some of his knights, or paladins, namely Renauldo and Orlando. The paladins fight against arab enemies, giants, and dragons, all in the name of their king and their god. I found these action sequences most interesting because I can only imagine the difficulty of manipulating these heavy (wood and iron) puppets.

Renauldo and his paladins are eventually betrayed, bringing the story to a tragic end. However the heroism and valor of the paladins makes it easy to see why this tradition has persisted and remained popular. Though the performance we saw centered on this betrayal and ultimate defeat, there are many other stories which can be acted out in the pupi theaters.

I would look forward to the opportunity to see a pupi performance in the Palermo style; where the legs and arms are jointed, the swords can be sheathed, and the lighter, smaller pupi are manipulated from the side of the stage rather then above it.

Golf in Sicily

Mike and I had a great experience golfing in Sicily. On a friday after class we rented a car and drove out to Il Piccolo golf resort. We were a bit apprehensive when renting the car because Mike's not 21 and I can't drive stick. In America they never would have let me rent the car in my name and then let someone else hop in the driver's seat, (at least not without a significant fee added on!), so we weren't sure how picking up the car would play out. However our worries were needless as the gentleman who rented us the car just smiled and waved us out as I hopped in the passenger seat and Mike Drove us away.

The drive through the countryside was quite scenic and, again, easier then we had anticipated. Babilonia gave us directions and the route took us through several towns far smaller then Taormina but very pleasant in their architecture and locale. We ended up on a windy road looking for the golf course entrance "800 meters" from the turn for Castiglione Sicilia. This part was somewhat confusing because the course and resort at Il Piccolo are only about 3/4 completed and so lacking a sign indicating that the rough stone gate was in fact the entrance we wanted.

Golf in the U.S. is played with yards, but it is also played with yards in England, Scotland, and Canada; all countries that use the metric system. So I bet Mike (gentleman's bet) that in Sicily we'd find the course in yards as well. Yeah, I definitely lost that bet. Not only was the course in meters, but with roughly the same numerical distance it was a looong course. (A 500 meter par 5 is significantly longer then a 500 yard par 5!)

The course was extremely nice, we had been afraid of a dry dusty 18 holes but in fact the whole course was a rich, wet green and there were even water hazards on the back 9! While we were playing it was almost possible to forget that we were in Sicily and imagine that we merely were playing a nice course back home. I say almost because the piles of lava stones and Mt. Etna looming in the background served as pretty effective reminders.

Ironically, the hardest part of the trip was getting back to the car rental garage from entering Taormina. Because of the irregular nature of the streets here we had to circle virtually the whole city in order to reach the street we needed and headed in the right direction. This was a fun experience though because until then we had only experienced the city as pedestrians and had a less then beneficial view of the "crazy" drivers here. After our trip though I gained a new respect for the drivers of Taormina who have to navigate extremely narrow streets and avoid hitting the hordes of people walking in the middle of most thoroughfares.

All in all the golf trip was a great experience. Even though after car rental, greens fees, and club rentals the cost was significant I would highly recommend taking a trip out of Taormina to play 18 in the beautiful Sicilian countryside; especially to anyone who might share my passion for golf.

Dr Salvo took us on a complete and thorough walking tour of Taormina. My favorite part of the tour was when we revisited the Teatro Greco, or “Greek Theatre.” Dr. Salvo referred to the teatro as the most beautiful ruin in all of Sicily and I could not agree more. It is so well preserved and has the most spectacular view of Mt. Etna. Dr Salvo explained to us that although a Greek structure, the bricks inside were a Roman contribution. I could only imagine myself as a person at the time watching a performance at the teatro Greco. Dr. Salvo also explained that Mt. Etna had a much different meaning to the Greeks than it does to us today. The Greek did nit have the technology then that we do today, and must have been mystified as to why Mt. Etna was erupting. Dr. Salvo took us to some areas of the teatro that we had not been on our previous tour, and I thoroughly enjoyed the views.

Piazza Amerina

Piazza Amerina was by far the most beautiful sight I have even seen. I was quite impressed that most of the mosaics were well preserved, with the exception of a few rooms. Pepe pointed out that one room appeared in poor condition because it was built over sand and that over time the earth had shifted. It was interesting to see how certain rooms such as the hallways (The Great Hunt), the workout room, and the erotic room appeared virtually untouched, yet other rooms were completely destroyed. During Dr. Ponturro’s lecture the other day we asked how these beautiful mosaics were built. She explained that a drawing of the mosaic was first drawn up on cardboard, and then copied onto the floor. Finally the cement and tiles were strategically placed on the floor. I can only imagine how much time, money, and slave labor went into making such a beautiful work of art. Each room was filled with vibrant mosaics which sparked in me a new interst for Roman art and culture. I particularly enjoyed the hallway which Pepe pointed out represented people and animals from both Eat and West. From what I can recall, Pepe stated that this hallway represented “The Great Hunt”, in which animals from all over were brought back to Rome. I remember this mosaic being particularly breathtaking because it was well preserved and because it depicts a variety of animals. The intention of this mosaic was to show all animals that were captured throughout the empire.

Godfather

I throw the rice!!!!

Olive Oil and Marzipane

On 17 July 2007 our class went to the Bistro and learned about olive oil. It was very interesting to listen to the mythology of the olive tree. The myth is based around a competition between Poseidon and Athena over the naming of a city in Greece. Both would offer a gift to the local inhabitants. Poseidon gave them cracked the ground with his trident and a spring of water was created, however, it was salt water and of no use to them. Athena gave the locals the olive tree which offered them a source of food, oil, and medicine. Athena obviously won out and the city was named Athens. The olive tree originated 6000 years ago and arrived in the Mediterranean via Persia. We learned of the different ways in which olives were cultivated and produced. This was very interesting and the tradition of olive oil to Sicily is still evident today. After this lecture, we went back to Babilonia where we met with Miguele, a man who had made marzipane since he was 14 years old and he is now 76. Marzipane is a very sweet delicacy that is made of egg whites, rose water, sugar, and almonds. However, it is more of art than anything else. These pastries can be made in the shape of fruits and they are brushed with different colored sugars that make them look real. All of the students had the opportunity to attempt to mold the “pasta” into different shapes. Ben’s was the best though. Afterwards we walked down to Miguele’s shop where all of the pastries were on display. We got to walk behind the counter and see the machinery they use to mix the ingredients just right.

Palermo

On 02 July 2007 our group traveled to Palermo and Monreale. It was about a three hour bus ride both ways, but was well worth it. The city of Palermo is not a luxurious as it once was; however, it still offers visitors a glimpse of its rich history. Palermo is a city that was founded by the Phoenicians in 7th century B.C., and followed by the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, and Spanish. The city’s golden age occurred under Arab rule in the 9th century when it underwent the most significant expansion and had the largest population in all of Europe (100,000). Despite this rich history, the city today is in decay with little restoration taking place. Our tour began at the Sicilian parliament where we were not allowed to take pictures. This building was very ornate; there were paintings on the ceilings and unique rooms that each had special functions. The parliament was connected to a church that was under restoration, but many of the beautiful mosaics were able to be seen. Almost all of the mosques erected by the Arabs had been converted into churches following the re-Christianization of the city. Therefore, noticeable Arabic architectural influences are visible on churches today. My favorite site on the trip was the Quattro Canti or four corners, which is located at the heart of the city at the intersection of Via Vittorio Emanuele and Via Maqueda. It is a blend of Arabo-Norman and baroque influence. Each of the corners celebrates a season, patron, and Spanish king.

Our Farewell Dinner

Mercato di Catania

The market in Catania is very different than any market you will find in Taormina. Catania as a city is a raw and rugged place than a lot of the more tourist spots you will find in Sicily. The market reminded me of New York’s SoHo market in the summer but on a far larger scale. There was clothing, shoes, wooden sculptures, and a whole bunch of fresh foods. I felt as if I had been thrown back in time roaming markets that lined the streets. Vendors yelling at each ear; pushing their merchandise in front of your eyes-baiting you to buy more. One needs to walk outside of the market to enjoy Catania even more. There is a beautiful park about five minutes from the market as well was an old amphitheater that is in the middle of a busy street. I really enjoyed this different glimpse of Sicily through its market as well as the park and amphitheater.

Gambino Wine Experience

One of the more memorable experiences of the trip for me was our group trip to the Gambino winery The bus ride up to the vineyard was amazing leaving the tourist hustle and bustle of Taormina for the small village life was entertaining. Gambino is a relatively new vineyard compared to others around the area. The owner’s son, Francesco, showcased five wines in total and most of them were really good. The vineyard felt like a really well run family business and although it was of nice size I still got the feeling of a strong family run winery. It was a good experience to get a taste of the true Etna wine culture from those who are very passionate about their land (Mt. Etna) and Sicilian wine. I would recommend this trip to future students. Regardless of the wine one gets to see some beautiful sights and gets to enjoy a great meal at a Lowenbraü pub that is also included in the Etna wine tasting tour.

Forza D'agro

The trip to Forza D’agro was great; it was a short bus ride away from Taormina, and it felt a lot more like a true Sicilian neighborhood. In this small town we found ourselves surrounded by narrow streets and little houses built right next to each other. We also were able to see the church where Pacino gets married in the Godfather, which was one of the reasons that brought me, Jay, and Matt to Forza D’agro in the first place. But, besides that, there were plenty of other things that amazed us about the area. As we traveled through the town, I was surprised to see just how deserted it was around siesta time; there was pretty much no one out at all, and the only thing that could be heard was a random conversation coming from one or two houses. Towards the top of the town, we saw many abandoned homes which made us wonder how someone could have actually lived there at one time. At the very top we also came across the ruins of a medieval castle that had been recently converted into a cemetery. While it did feel strange to be walking around the graves, it was very peaceful up there. There was also an incredible view of the town from the castle, and the church bells ringing in the background made it even better. After we climbed around the castle for a little while, we came back down and had an interesting conversation with an old Sicilian lady. We tried our best to understand what she was saying, but it was fun just sitting down and trying to communicate with someone. Then, after the conversation, we found ourselves in what seemed to be the only restaurant in town. Not even 2 minutes after we sat down we had our first course, it was delicious. We didn’t even order at all. After we had finished one dish, they brought us another. Each dish seemed better than the last, and we finished with dessert. We kind of grew curious about what the actual bill was going to be, but when we saw what it was we were in shock…all that food plus a couple bottles of wine and water was only 25 euros per person. It was definitely the best meal I have had on the island, and it just topped off the end to a perfect trip.

Snorkeling Trip

We Climb

Traveling to Sicily has been extraordinary. I am definitely having one of the best times of my life, and it is great to finally experience a different atmosphere than New Jersey. Everyone who came on the trip is really nice, and I am glad to have made some great friends. Throughout the trip we have spent a great deal of time hanging out together, and it has been fun doing things as a group. Even though it has been interesting traveling around town and talking to different people, there have been many memorable times hanging around with the group and taking excursions…especially the snorkeling trip. Going on the snorkeling trip was one of the coolest things I have ever done (Thanks Ben for planning the trip and getting everyone together). Not only was it something that I had never expected to do while being over here, but it was also interesting and fun at the same time; I got to experience different parts of the island, and it was relaxing just spending some time out in the water. While I didn’t see a lot of fish, I did happen to run into a ton of jellyfish or “medusa.” But even with a sting or two, it was still a good time. And, right before heading to the beach for the on-shore bbq, we spotted a huge rock which we decided to try to leap off of into the ocean. Making our way up it was a challenge, but the thrill of jumping off was well worth it. After the dive we pulled up on shore for the bbq. As our tour guide Alex (really great guy) prepared our meal, we just relaxed on the beach. The meal itself was very delicious, and I really enjoyed the fish that was served. After that we went back on the boat and drove out to deeper walker. There we spent about 20 minutes just swimming and lounging around. It felt great just drifting in water, and looking back on the coast is a sight I will never forget. I definitely could not have asked for a better trip.

Ben at Agrigento

The Guys in Front of the Temple of Concord, Agrigento

Le Regazze at Agrigento

Justin and Dr. Hayes

Frank in a Thoughtful Pose

Justin at Agrigento

Jessica and Ben at the Temple of Castor and Pollux, Agrigento

Matt at the Temple of Castor and Pollux, Agrigento

Mike Next to a Telemon at Agrigento

Jason at the Roman Villa

I Ragazzi at Piazza Armerina

The Roman Villa at Piazza Armerina (3rd - 4th Century AD)

Alcantara Gorge, July 13, 2007

Where the Alcantara River (which separates the provinces of Messina and Catania) and the volcanic basalt rock made from Mt. Etna's lava meet.

Another View of Mt. Etna . . .

Same time, same location, same altitude . . . .

Mt. Etna on July 13, 2007

A smoking Mt. Etna from the south on Friday, July 13, 2007 at approximately 9,000 feet above sea level.

Welcome to the 2007 MSU in Sicily Participants!

A warm welcome to Ben, Bryan, Frank, Ian, Jessica, Justin, Kristi, Matt, Mike, and Tina. And it is wonderful to have Jason with us for the second year in a row. Very much looking forward to viewing everyone's thoughts and images. And please invite your friends and family to have a look. All the best, Dr. Hayes