A Pedestrian Life!

As in many cultures, the Sicilians love their vehicles and not just their fast cars...

Even the odd remake of an old classic

But a love of the internal combustion engine in a crowded town leads to that age old problem of where to find a park!

Causing a few pedestrian issues...

 

 

 

 

One afternoon on my way to the beach! Although walking on the road avoids that other urban problem of the doggy-doo!

There's always a parking space here!

Although sometimes it costs a little more...

And sometimes there's the eternal park

Feste e Tradizione

We were privileged be at the festa held in honour of the Madonna del Perpetuo Succorso, in the tiny town of Soccorso, in the hills above Milazzo.

The bunting was out

The altar was ready in the church

The snack stands just waiting for business

The church bell tolls, balloons are released

And the Madonna, all 800 odd kilos of her, starts her annual pilgrimage around the village on the shoulders of the willing and able, led by the Women's Guild and followed by a brass band, the Priest, Mayor, dignitaries and townsfolk.

The Madonna reaches the piazza after her first circuit and fireworks explode, it's so loud you can't believe it! The shock waves travel up your arms and your heart almost stops!

Off she goes again for a different circuit of the village as night falls

 

The festival lights come on and you leave, knowing that the Madonna will be visiting more narrow, cramped streets for a few more hours yet before being able to return to her church

Sicily, where men are handsome and suits are shiny

A few steps from the apartment is a beautiful church that hosts weddings most Fridays and Saturdays. Everyone is gorgeously dressed...

 

                             
                                                                     and styled

                                                
                           suit fabrics are a little shinier than staid Anglo 
                             Saxons would wear and shoes more colourful

 Style, right from the start!

Beach

The melanoma warnings haven't seemed to have reached this part of the world; it appears that everyone is at the beach to tan!

The beach is a religious experience; I saw a man cross himself and kiss his fingers, as is done if passing a church, before plunging into the water.

   In Milazzo the beach is pebbly; smooth rounded stones of grey and white    

                                                     marble

                              A vast acre of broiling stones to cross

            The water a clear, clean blue that's over your head in no time

                             And there's always something to buy

     
                                           And to look at

The sun goes down with the Eolian Islands as a backdrop, turning the sea 

                                           almost red

Nonni, Grandads, Old Guys

You see them on park benches, on kitchen chairs dragged out into a shady side street, waiting for lunch perhaps, getting out of the house

                                           Having a snooze

                            Lots of old guys just hanging out together

                                           Or with the dog

                                                                                    
                                       On Grandad duty

                                    Casual dress code usually

                          Or on the way to somewhere more formal

                          
                      At passeggiata time the ladies are allowed to join them

A hot afternoon

A wee fishing boat...

Nino, a kind fisherman...

A calm bay for swimming...

 and in the in the distance, Stromboli

 Afternoon tea; smerge, a cross between a plum and a peach

Richer folks

and others just trying to make a living

Back to port, Milazzo