Randazzo, città d’arte
“Oh my god, Kate! Get down here. You have to see this …” Kate and I are in Randazzo. We’d only intended to be here for an hour to grab some lunch and then head on, but we got distracted … Continue reading
Tag Archives: sicily
Sinners and Saints in Siracusa
Twenty years ago, Ortigia island was the red light district of Siracusa. Look past the cute, chi-chi boutiques and cafes that are there now and you can see why: it’s all narrow, winding streets and dark corners just made for … Continue reading
Posted in Living Like a Maniac
Tagged caravaggio, chiesa di santa lucia alla badia, duomo, sicily, siracusa
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There and back again
I left Sicily just before Easter, when there were stalls on every corner selling plaited palm fronds ready for Palm Sunday. At first I was sad to be missing Easter in Italy – it’s much more of a big deal … Continue reading
Cultural Contrasts
There’s a flurry of Sicilian from the top of the steps and Marco laughs. “You’re in trouble!” In the car on the way over he’d told me with a certain amount of glee that not only was it unlikely that … Continue reading
Market Day
I’m walking home from the market with bags full of fruit and vegetables when the man appears at my shoulder. “Sei in vacanza?” I don’t look at him. I’m not sure if he’s a pickpocket trying to distract me from … Continue reading
Close Encounters of the Sicilian Kind
I’ve already got a tub of ricotta in my shopping basket, but then I notice some others. They’re bigger, and look to be made locally, rather than by big brands. I bend down to take a closer look. I’m not … Continue reading
Posted in Living Like a Maniac
Tagged catania, sicily
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From a Distance
I live 40km from an active volcano. At the moment, as you’ve probably seen in the news, Etna’s being particularly lively, spewing out pieces of volcanic rock measuring inches across, as well as clouds of ash that have reached as … Continue reading
Posted in Living Like a Maniac
Tagged catania, etna, flood, nubifragio, sicilia, sicily, volcano, vulcano
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Carnival Confetti
“That guy just threw confetti in your hair,” hisses Kate as I lower the camera and walk away from the enormous, primary-coloured float that I was shooting. I grin at her, not bothering to shake it out. “I know.” … Continue reading
Posted in Living Like a Maniac
Tagged acireale, carnevale, carnival, confetti, coriandoli, sicily
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Sant’Agata 2013
After the first night fireworks, the Festa di Sant’Agata continued for two more days, finally concluding at around 11am on 6 February. Last year I was impressed but cynical; this year I found it overwhelmingly poignant. That has much to … Continue reading
Posted in Living Like a Maniac
Tagged catania, festa di sant'agata, sicily
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Moments
Image from Trimondi Viaggi There’s still an hour to go before the start of the concert and fireworks that mark the end of day one of the Festa di Sant’Agata, but we can’t even get close at the moment. We … Continue reading
