Nancy and Peter in Sicily

Full moon over Pozzallo

Smoking...

We travelled to Milan at the end of March. As we flew over the island of Stromboli, we managed to capture an image of it from the plane.

Stromboli, an active volcano for 2,000 years, is known as the Lighthouse of the Mediterranean. It’s not only the subject of a song and a movie but it is one of the seven Aeolian Islands. This archipelago is located off the northeastern coast of Sicily and consists of the islands; Lipari, Vulcano, Salina, Panarea, Filicudi and Alicudi. We chartered a bareboat and sailed there three years ago with KK and Tom. The islands are a magical cruising ground. Previously, in 2015, we climbed to the top of Stromboli at night, also with KK, and a guide of course. Have you ever heard the grumble of a volcano beneath you? It sounds like thunder coming from the ground instead of the sky.

Mediolanum “in the middle of the plain”

We were in Milan for an appointment at the world-renowned Ospedale San Rafaelle, to see an eye specialist that Peter was referred to by an ophthalmologist he was seeing at Mass Eye and Ear and was recommended by Mimmo’s daughter, Luisa. Luisa works for Roche, a pharmaceuticals company specializing in treatments for the eyes. We decided to stay in the city a few extra days to explore and do a little shopping. Milan is a major metropolitan area, of course, the fourth largest in the European Union according to Wikipedia. Known as the economic and industrial capital of Italy, it is a major player in the world of fashion and had an outsized influence in the development of the Renaissance.

Of course, there were challenges finding our way around the different neighborhoods. We relied heavily on recommendations from friends who either used to live here or visited recently. Anna and Achille recommended their favorite restaurants, like Rataná, a very special trattoria, where we had the privilege of eating lunch, and areas to visit, including Brera and the Navigli, the canal district designed in part by Leonardo Da Vinci. Charlotte and Kevin recommended seeing the Anselm Kiefer exhibition, The Alchemists, at the Royal Palace of Milan, across from the Duomo.

Duomo the magnificent... cathedral

The Duomo in Milan is the largest cathedral in Italy, other than the one in the Vatican City, which is technically another country. If you ever get a chance to visit, be sure to go up to the roof for some extraordinary sights of the city and the mountains beyond.

Early rock and roll and straight up boogie woogie

One night we went to the Blue Note Milano (thank you Achille) to see a super fun band called Black Ball Boogie. They were amazing! A lot of early rock and roll, some originals, classic Italian anthems and straight up boogie woogie. They are a very tight group; well-rehearsed and absolutely charming. Every single member is a superb musician. Have you ever heard three people whistle in harmony? Wow! The pianist Manuel Goretti shined as a virtuosic performer. He had one long solo at one point in the evening; the only person on stage. He played an incredible improvisation on the classic, Swanee River. Delightful. We would travel to see them again. They just did a gig in Aix-en-Provence at the Rock & Boogie festival. Hmmm, anyone want to join us in Southern France next year?

Pasqua In Catania

And then it was time to go to Mimmo and Fanni’s in Catania for the Easter feast with the family.

Mt Etna from Villa Bellini in downtown Catania

It’s good to have fAMILY CLOSE BY

Chief among the angels on earth that are looking after us are Mimmo and Fanni. They have a beautiful big apartment a few steps from Villa Bellini, a wonderful park in central Catania and open, loving hearts.

Fanni made a traditional Easter pasta dish of Anelli al Forno symbolizing abundance, togetherness and festive celebration. Anelli are little rings of pasta (like what you wear on your finger). We brought an Easter cake, called a Columba made by a local Pasticceria in Pozzallo. Fanni’s sister and brother in-law, Maria and Giovanni, brought a Pastiera Napoletana, a typical cake which represents spring, new life and Easter traditions. Afterwards we went for a walk down by the seaside. The next day was Pasquetta, little Easter. Traditionally a feast out in the countryside, we all went to the country house in San Gregorio for a BBQ of sausage and steak, a delicious risotto made with fresh picked artichokes from the garden and, of course, more dolci.

WE HAD NO IDEA THAT THEY WERE SO NOISY!

Another beautiful day and we decided to go for a walk in the Vendicari Reserve about a half hour away from home to see some birds. This is a vast nature preserve on the southeast coast near Noto, dedicated to providing a safe and welcoming oasis for migrating birds like flamingos. There are also remains of a tonnara as well as a museum of local flora and fauna and some depictions and photos of the mattanza.

There were literally hundreds of flamingos, making quite the quacking racket. They sound kind of like a weird cross between pigs, geese and frogs. They’re funny looking too. They haven’t turned completely pink yet, they are just a little pink around the edges. We are supposing they need to eat more shrimp.

Ciao for now!