We are off to our homeland–Sicily– today to reconnect with our roots.
My doctor insists that my wonky ear drum will not blow out on the flights and I chose to believe her.
It’s going to be a super-fun trip!
When we land in Catania we’ll meet up with my gay husband, another longtime mutual friend and eight other stalwart travelers and begin two weeks of chocolate tasting, harvesting wine grapes and visiting temples.
Our homes away from home will be the estates of various Sicilian magnates, we’re told. And we have plenty of free time to explore on our own.
Gay husband has arranged for us to rent a 65-foot luxury catamaran to cruise the Ionian (I think) all Friday afternoon.
We’re stoked that we’ll have our friend(s) on the trip and know that we’ll be reliving our experiences over dinners for years to come.
A Sicilian genealogist is meeting us in Palermo, our last stop, and we’ve got some adventures planned for the last few days on our own. Including a meet-up with my mother’s family.
It’s been almost 25 years since I visited Sicily and met some of my mother’s relatives. That was a super-powerful trip and I hope this one is as meaningful.
And then there’s this:
Cannoli are not just symbols of our heritage but my favorite dessert. Cannoli in Sicily? My mouth is watering already!
If you’ve been reading along on other trips of mine you know that I try to blog every day from my trip, posting photos and experiences. Sometimes that’s possible and sometimes not, because I want to be in the moment, not in the writing.
(Or that’s what I say, anyway. I am a writer, so maybe that’s not so true.)
But no worries; you’ll hear all about Sicily at some point.
While I’m gone, I have some fun guest posts, as well. How about a post –with photos–from someone who went to NYC Fashion Week? Or one from a guy friend about relationships? A friend is sharing a provocative opinion about web privacy and my nephew wants to show how philosophy relates to our every day life. And, a poetess gives us a lovely autumn thought.
I’ll be watching Comments but might not respond every time. But I hope you’ll keep visiting.
Oh, how I love Italy. Everything about it. Steve’s grandfather was from Palermo…Cefala Diana.
Can’t wait to hear the stories and see your pictures. Safe travels.
It sound like such a wonderful trip. Not only the sights and the wonderful food but just the idea of connecting with your roots and understanding the legacy of family and the diffrence that makes in our life. I can’t wait to read the installments.
Looking forward to clearing up some family mysteries, too! We’ll see if they tell me, but what’s different this time is we have our genealogist to translate as my Italian is rough and it’s been years since I’ve heard Sicilian–all my family who spoke it are gone now. But now we have a native to really get the info!
You have an incredible trip in front of you, and how great it will be to go through your family’s history. Be mindful of every second (I know you will) and I look forward to your posts!
I can’t wait to hear the stories of your insights and discoveries along the way! I hope you enjoy, savor, and amplify your experience every chance you get!
I am so glad you are getting to take a grand vacation. Looking forward to stories and pictures, but most of all, to have you say upon your return, that you had fun.
I’m sure you will have a great trip! I just returned myself from my own 2 week Adventure in Italy and LOVED every single minute of it. I was overwhelmed with excitement and was in awe the whole time. So much history and beauty. WOW! Enjoy!
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Buon viaggio! I am SO jealous!! Cannot wait to hear about your travels when you get back.
May it be fabulous every moment and safe!
Safe is always good!s
Looking forward to your updates! and have a pastry for us. Maybe two.
The way to a girl’s heart!
Take me with you! So jealous! Have a fantabulous time!
Oh, how I love Italy. Everything about it. Steve’s grandfather was from Palermo…Cefala Diana.
Can’t wait to hear the stories and see your pictures. Safe travels.
Have a wonderful trip, Carol! Looking forward to the pictures and the stories when you’re back.
Enjoy! Wishing you a wonderful trip and I so look forward to to reading about your adventures!!
Be in the moment, eat with gusto, and treasure the ones you’re with!
Have a fantastic trip and eat a cannoli for me! Can’t wait to hear about your adventures.
I hope you enjoy your trip so much and can’t wait to hear and see all about it!
Have a wonderful time and have a cannoli for me!
Have a wonderful trip! And please forward your itinerary once you get back – I feel as though I need a trip like this one day!!!
I wish I was coming with you! Have a blast. xo
I look forward to having a vicarious thrill with your posts and pictures. I know you said something after the cannoli but…. Have fun!
Have a fabulous trip! I’ll be looking forward to your photos.
So excited for you. Have a wonderful trip – can’t wait to read about it! A guest post from someone who went to fashion week? Yes, please!
Coming soon!
It sound like such a wonderful trip. Not only the sights and the wonderful food but just the idea of connecting with your roots and understanding the legacy of family and the diffrence that makes in our life. I can’t wait to read the installments.
Looking forward to clearing up some family mysteries, too! We’ll see if they tell me, but what’s different this time is we have our genealogist to translate as my Italian is rough and it’s been years since I’ve heard Sicilian–all my family who spoke it are gone now. But now we have a native to really get the info!
Have a wonderful time Carol. Safe travels!
You have an incredible trip in front of you, and how great it will be to go through your family’s history. Be mindful of every second (I know you will) and I look forward to your posts!
I can’t wait to hear the stories of your insights and discoveries along the way! I hope you enjoy, savor, and amplify your experience every chance you get!
Just be totally in the moment and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!
Oh, to be you . . . just for a few minutes! Okay a lot of minutes. Have way too much fun! We’ll be waiting . . .
I am so glad you are getting to take a grand vacation. Looking forward to stories and pictures, but most of all, to have you say upon your return, that you had fun.
Oh how I wish I could fit in your suitcase. Sounds like a dream trip!
I’m sure you will have a great trip! I just returned myself from my own 2 week Adventure in Italy and LOVED every single minute of it. I was overwhelmed with excitement and was in awe the whole time. So much history and beauty. WOW! Enjoy!
Eat and drink for me too!
Nothing is better on a vacation then food, wine and good friends and family. Wishing you a wonderful trip Carol!