The Sicilians
We travel to see places and learn about history and culture, but the true experience comes from interacting with the people, seeing how they live, eating what they eat. These are just a few of the Sicilians who made this tour memorable.
Alfio Di Mauro
We could not have had a better guide for our 11 day tour of Sicily. Alfio, a native Sicilian living in Catania, was not only knowledgeable, but he was patient, kind, engaging, funny, personable. His English was excellent (he spent time in Corvallis, Oregon, not far from our hometown of Portland, Oregon). Being a tour guide is hard work with long hours, from breakfast at 7 to dinner lasting until 9 or 10 (early for Sicilians but adapted for travelers) and many days away from family. Still he never missed a beat, keeping us on track in a gentle and humorous way, entertaining us on the bus rides with music, stories, or engaging clips from ancient history. Oh and the man can eat.
Best quips, quotes and stories:
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the spaghetti killer
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Americans who put pineapple on pizza cannot talk to him about good pizza
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on crossing the street in Italy, be decisive, don't do the squirrel dance
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"buddy-check"
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"you are splitting an arancina??"
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"Amonini"/"Andiamo"
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and of course, "Mamma Mia"
Jackie Alio, our city tour guide in Palermo and Monreale, is the author of eight books about Sicily. She was a veritable encyclopedia of Sicilian knowledge. I could have listened to her all day.
"History lives as long as we remember it, so let's write it down before we forget it. It's not genuine history unless the women's stories are
part of it."
Our bus driver, Antonio, was a man of many talents. Not only could he drive the bus safely and smoothly over all types of roads of Sicily, including some turns that seemed impossible, but he entertained us with the Italian bagpipes and saxophone. One of my favorite moments was his response to my bringing him "un dolce" in Catania.
The Saltmaker
The Winemaker
The Puppy, il cane, Mozia
