I’m back in the land of the living. Yay! And here are pictures of some of the things that I’ve been up to in the past week: hiking on snowy Etna; sightseeing in Savoca; visiting the oldest tree in Europe. … Continue reading
A version of this post was originally published in November 2011, when I first arrived in Catania. Two years on and November (up until the beginning of this week) had been milder and less blustery. The cold is beginning to … Continue reading
“They’re totally synchronised; look!” comes a laughing stage-whisper from behind us. I turn my head and poke my tongue out at Donato and Roberta, who are trying to distract us as we power-walk down the mountain. Davide grins but keeps … Continue reading
Everyone has some kind of vice – something that they’re a little bit obsessed by. For some people it’s shoes. For others it’s food. Then there are those who just can’t get enough of either. These beauties were spotted in … Continue reading
It’s my first day back at school today, teaching new levels that I’ve never taught before. So to distract myself from the terror excitement, I’m thinking back to a day a few weeks ago in Agrigento, when my parents and … Continue reading
September 2013 marks the start of my fifth year in Italy. At the end of this year I’ll automatically qualify for residence here, no questions asked. In many ways I feel like I haven’t progressed at all in the past … Continue reading
“Hey, it’s the kids from Catania!” The rangy, middle-aged man in the grey safari hat greets us with pleased surprise, calling out to his curvy, catlike wife in the water. She’s one step ahead of him, having already said hello … Continue reading
High in the hills near Montalbano Elicona, north of Etna, there is a plateau, called the Argimusco. In the middle of this plateau stand five megalithic rocks. Each has a name, according to its shape: the eagle; the lion; the … Continue reading
As I mentioned in my post a few weeks ago, August in Sicily is a holiday month. It’s hot and sticky and really all anyone (me included) wants to do is have some fun sit on the beach or by … Continue reading
“Applauso!” The chubby girl with the paisley smock and the crinkly-eyed smile, as good as her word, gives her little sister an enthusiastic round of applause. The two girls are playing beside the restaurant outside which my friend Davide and … Continue reading
