la dolce vita: Tracing My Roots to Sicilia

Ciao bellas!

First off I have to say happy 18th birthday to my little bro Alex! I mean I guess he's not so little now, but anyways happy birthday brohan, I miss you!

Annnyywayyss, this past weekend I had the opportunity to visit the island that runs through a part of my blood - Sicily! My grandma Mary comes from Sicilia, and although I didn't get to visit the city of Catania, which is where she's from, I really got a feel for the island and its people and culture and I could feel her with me all weekend.

Despite the stereotypes of a poverty stuck and mafia ridden island, Sicily is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. The south of Italy in general is paradise, but there's something about being on an island that amplifies the beauty even more. I went with my entire program and the group of us got to experience the towns & cities of Taromina, Cefalu, Mondello and Palermo. Each place had something unique to offer but they all emulated the same Sicilian charm. Cefalu was my favorite place that we went because it really felt like a tropical vacation in a resort or something. Our hotel was beautiful and was complete with balconies attached to our rooms, a four course Sicilian meal and a private beach! We only spent one day there, but I could have stayed for two weeks without a problem

Izzy on our balcony

Right before sunset

the view from out balcony

another view

Our beach!

Bathing in the freezing water

But the thing that I loved the most about Sicily – more than the scenic views and even more than the connection that I felt to it – was the food. Sicilian cuisine is unbelievably good and the amount of food that I ate that weekend should have filled me up for the rest of my time here. I got to experience (yes it was truly an experience, not just eating) just about every type of Sicilian dish. Sicilian antipasto, pasta with eggplant, fresh cannolis, cassata, and a full four course sea food dinner. I was uncomfortably full the entire weekend, but it was so worth it. I hope all of you are ready because I'm going to be cooking nothing but Sicilian food once I'm back. I was too busy focusing on my food to take pictures of it, but here's some pictures of the seafood dinner that my friend Joann remembered to take!

In heaven with my calamari

Everything was served family style, and this was once a full plate of pasta with sword fish and risotto with clams, tiny shrimp and calamari

Calamari!

Swordfish and some other type of fish

The one picture I took of food... Cassata!

This was a really awesome weekend for me, and something that I need to do again, but next time I want my family there with me. Finally visiting a place that I'm connected and have heard about for so long was a bit surreal and even a little emotional, and it's an experience I want to be able to share with my whole family. It was one last way to connect with my grandma, and although I can't come home and tell her all about it, I know that she was watching over me all weekend and got to see everything I experienced. SO mom, Aunt Jojo, Aunt Michelle and everyone else that was in any way, shape or form associated with grandma Mary, I think it's about time that we all start planning a trip to Catania! There's no reason for me to be the only one that get's to see the island that we're (partially) from! If I still haven't convinced you, here's some more pictures so help you decide =] (most of these pictures are mine, but I borrowed a few from my friends)