Colorado 2012

Colorado 2012
Purgatory

Wednesday 24 July 2013

Solarino!

A few hours in the car and a quick ferry ride and we had arrived in Sicily. It is an absolutely beautiful place, with gorgeous coastlines and mountains.
The very small town of Solarino (where Sam’s grandparents grew up) was awesome.
We were a little nervous to knock on the door of Zia Angelina (Sam’s Nonna’s older sister) but she was incredibly happy to have us there, and despite the fact the she didn’t speak any english we were able to understand her first question, are you hungry?

After eating until we couldn’t anymore we were put to bed for an afternoon nap.
Angelina’s son and his wife, Salvatore and Nina, took us for a walk through the town. We saw the town square, got gelati and even met the mayor! On our way home we stopped by the street on which Sam’s Nonna lived, and saw an example of what their house was like growing up.
Sam absolutely loved every second we spent in the town, which holds many family ties and significance. He loved being able to see the place where his grandparents had grown up.

We had a family dinner out in the country (Salvatore and Nina’s summer holiday home) with the rest of the family. Spaghetti was the main course, and it was delicious, but there was so much other food served over what seemed like 5 courses, and it was all amazing.
It was surprising for us how quickly we were able to recognize and understand words we knew, and though we couldn’t really have conversations, we managed to answer most of the questions we were asked. Our Italian phrasebook came in very very handy and was used by everyone to help us understand and them understand. 

The next morning Salvatore and Nina took us into the city of Syracuse. It was absolutely gorgeous!
It was here that we had what may be the best breakfast ever. Granita and Brioche. Which is basically ice cream and you get to dip your pastries into it!

Syracuse really was an incredibly beautiful place, the old city is on an island and attached to the new city by bridge. The old city is all cobblestone streets, lane ways and beautiful old churches and squares. It is surrounded by stunning bright blue ocean and has a couple of tiny stony beaches.
We wandered through the city and even got to see the market which mainly consisted of fruit and fish.
By the time we got back to Solarino it was definitely time for a siesta. 


We had another big family dinner, this time at Zia Angelina’s daughter and son in law’s house (Rita and Paul). They have an incredible three story villa that over looks a gorge and Solarino. We had a very nice and refreshing swim in their pool before pizza for dinner!
This was our last night in Solarino and it was great! It was so much fun and very funny even though we could only understand a little of what was being said.

In the morning we said goodbye and left Solarino, wishing we could have stayed for longer.
Both of us absolutely adored this place and it was so lovely how everyone of Sam’s relatives made us both feel so welcome. We both left very happy and glad that we had come down and experienced a much more real Italy.


Solarino


Syracuse market


Syracuse


Syracuse


Syracuse


Dinner!





Solarino


On the drive 


On the drive


Syracuse

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