Henson and I landed in Palermo Saturday night and made our way to our lovely B & B. We spent two days in the city, then met up with Sal and Mary in Milazzo in Messina, where the family is from. They live on a beach - beautiful ocean view from their front door. Loved it! They took us to Tindari to see the black Madonna.
The next day they took us to Novara - where my grandparents were born. It was amazing to see their houses and the streets where they walked. Novara is high up a curvy road in the mountains. STEEP, but lovely. You can feel the air thinner. In August the Fiesta is the highlight of the town's social scene. I think I might have to plan another trip!
We drove down the mountain, looking at the volcano Etna, and then went to Taormina - tourist capital of Sicily. Saw the train station from the Godfather. We went back to Milazzo, passing through Messina. Staying with Sal and Mary was the highlight of the trip. Those Italian drivers.....OH my.
On our last day in Palermo I purchased a pair of shoes (woop woop Italian leather!) and some cheese. Can't go wrong.
In general, I loved Sicily - Messina is far better than Palermo. I wish I spoke the language better - I knew enough to communicate, but I need to learn more. My family is going to be in Sicily for the Fiesta, so I think I might have to rejoin them. I fell in love with my Grandma's house and really want to fix it up. It could be really gorgeous.
