Journey to an Unknown Civilization

Lupo! Translated as "The Wolf" Such a chill beast.

Vittorio told me if I take Lupo past the gate, he'll take me to the neighbors house, so I did that one 

afternoon. Judging by the trail, I was being led to an unknown civilization that's been hidden from the world. I love little adventures. I crossed their gate, got chased by some donkeys, and then made it to the home. There I met Thomas who owns the home and has been farming for the past 35 years. Also, Hans who is just staying at the home for the time being. Hans is a true lone wolf. He's never had a family of his own. He's been on some fascinating adventures. He went to Japan for a year because he was interested in the modern way of living vs the traditional Japanese culture. He biked through Tunisia, Senegal, and part of Morocco sleeping out in the fields along the way. One time he found a river and he hadn't showered for weeks so imagine this, while he's in the river some locals start throwing huge stones from above right at him! I guess it's against their beliefs to show skin. He had to bail it and creep in the water like a crocodile. Another time he came out of his tent in the morning to a man with a scythe standing a few feet in front of him! The man made a gesture like you better cover up that skin. So many epic stories from Hans. 

Mattina, Thomas, Me, and Hans.

Mattina and Thomas live here and Thomas has been farming for the past 35 years. They live in Switzerland part of the year and sell to mostly people in Europe. There was a whole movement back in his day when he was living in Switzerland, where a bunch of people were moving down to Sicily to live more sustainably, and when he got here he never left. No place like Sicily. And Hans grew up in Germany, and has been lone wolfin (no family) it his whole life. 

Being out here I've felt strongly that there is no such thing as a path. A path is just a limiting illusion. 

Walking around their yard I saw several cats and more and more kept appearing out of nowhere! He must have 20 or more cats of all different colors and sizes. I love animals. 

Thomas has the best olive oil on the planet. Seriously. A little side story is he had some customers in Switzerland and this lady happened to taste a sample of it. She loved it of course and immediately was using the oil back in the states at one of her restaurants called La Spiaggia. Get this, Barack & Michelle Obama ate at this restaurant in Chicago for their anniversary some years back, when they were still using Thomas's oil! It is so amazing how many doors this whole journey is opening. I can come back and stay on any of these farms, and even house sit for Vittorio for 5 months if I want. I could see myself doing that with my future wife :) also little side things like having access to the best olive oil (which includes lemon, garlic, arugula, and pepperoncini infused varieties as well) on the planet (he doesn't have a website or anything) for a walmart price.