Sicily is Magical

 Found this little dude when I was out back picking some basil.

I really appreciate how my time here has deepened my relationship with animals. For example, some nights I'd just sit on the ground with the animals and hangout. How many times do we actually see animals for what they are? Say you're on a walk and you see a bird, and then immediately go back to planning and being busy busy busy in your mind. You may have looked at the bird, but did you see it? Did you feel the graceful essence of it? The only reason I'm saying this is because it's enriched my life to see nature and animals through a different pair of eyes. There is an entirely different world for one who has a quiet mind, outside of logic and thoughts. Also, it's interesting to think about loneliness, because it would make sense if you're alone a lot you'd feel lonely, but that's not the case at all at least for me. Liberation is about discovering one's own self. That's all you can do, go inwards. Tell me, what else can you do? Sure, you can and probably will be around people your whole life, and be engaged in external things like making a living, going to school, supporting your family, helping others, etc, but the only experience you're having is inside yourself. 

I want this guy to be my personal trainer.

The view from the balconi after a rare rainstorm.

I've had strong desires to learn Italian but haven't been able to get my hands on a workbook or anything like that, but another wwoofer arrived a few days ago from Belgium. Mattias. And what do you know, he speaks Italian and English and happens to have a workbook with him. There is no such thing as chance. My desires were heard. 

Mattias and I connected right off the bat. He is a pychotherapist from Belgium, but was sick of the daily grind, and the normal-ness of people's mindset (which I totally understand) so within a week he was on a 36 hour bus ride to Caltanissetta. After talking for a while doing the dishes, I said "so this whole time have you been referring back to the DSM in your mind to see if I have a personality disorder?" Ha he got a kick out of that. I love meeting people like this, ya know that dance on their own stage, and not sit back in the audience.

It's really turned the experience into something different, having someone who I can talk to in English as well as translate for me. 

 Painting the balconi railing while listening to some meditational music, soaking up the sun, and having a great conversation with Mattias with this view in the background. That's what I call work. 

An idea I have which was sparked by a conversation with Mattias as we were painting, is to create a place that is like a cafe/library/sanctuary/orchard all in one. A place where people can come and read books on spirituality, holistic living, food & herbs, sustainable farming methods, etc. Order something delicious and nourishing from me at the cafe, maybe a selection of juices, smoothies, herbal concoctions, and some other goodies. The food from the garden would be free, like for example you come in to read a book and I bring you a small bowl of figs or almonds or berries or whatever is picked on that day. The whole intent would be to create an environment that is supportive of self development and healing. From the lighting to the music to the colors. Everything. And this idea could be turned up a notch by having people that specialize in yoga, massage, reiki/energy work, tai chi, etc and be available to anyone (for a fee of course).

The first time I explored Caltanissetta on foot was with Mattias. We got dropped off during the siesta hours, and it was a ghost town, but around 4:30 the city came to life like clockwork. Such a cool moment just soaking it up with some Michael Jackson music playing in the background at a cafe. 

The kids take a gymnastics class at a local gym so me and Mattias decided to go and work out at the same time. I was going non-stop on all the machines for about an hour and then I came down with a severe case of the gigglies. I attempted to continue on doing the bench press, but while the bar was close to my chest I burst into laughter at literally nothing, and I was struggling to keep it from crushing me. Two other people had to quickly help me haha. So, at this point, I did the only thing logical. Pull up my shorts as high as they go and tuck in my shirt. They had some good dance music going, so I simply started doing the wackiest & cheesiest dance moves (sometimes with tiny weights) imaginable throughout the gym. At one point I turned around and a bunch of girls in the gymnastic section were pointing and laughing. As far as I was concerned I was the only person in the gym. Hell, I wasn't even in the gym, I was on the stage in my own concert. I even saw, in the corner of my eye, one of those "super serious gym-goers" crack a smile. That is success. 30 minutes pass and I'm still going strong, it was like sitting in a serene pool of my own endorphins. The music was fluid. Inhibitions non existent. As the parents were walking through the gym to get their kids, I was still going at it. One lady, as she was walking out, looked at me like "you are out of your mind but that was absolutely hilarious." Humor is Universal medicine. 

For all those who still eat candy, I have a suggestion, just plant an orchard of fig trees and enjoy some of natures nutritious candy.

My virtually unused journal has now been turned into a recipe book, and by that I dont mean precise measurements, just a general idea. Some similar to what I've enjoyed here, while most I add in my own twist. For example, the night I had my first fig off the tree, I was so high off that taste, and my mind is creating all these combinations. Like slightly chewy homemade bread right out of the oven, caramelized onions, goat cheese, figs, a drizzle of a thick aged balsamic vinegar, and a pinch of unrefined salt. And I can taste it in my mind and know it would be spectacular. You can see how, with all the new food experiences, I will be bringing back with me some mind blowing creations.

I don't know what it's called but in Sicily they celebrate the day of Mary, so they made a dessert (which is rare). Tiramisu. It was so goooood. What I love about desserts here is that they are not so cloyingly sweet, like in the United States. 

Prickly pears. They taste like a combination between a pear and watermelon. In Sicily, prickly pears and fennel flowers are everywhere. Essentially, they are a tasty kind of weed. 

One of my all time favorite meals of Francesca had to be homemade Sicilian bread (and I later found out she makes her own yeast!), mashed chickpeas with lots of garlic, herbs, and lime juice (from the garden), tomato salad, homemade lemon kombucha, and for dessert figs (my first time) and prickly pears from the garden. Another amazing meal was polenta, roasted whole red peppers, homemade bechamel sauce, and then basil infused olive oil on top. Simple but heavenly. 

So many good memories here. Playing soccer, pulling the kids around on the skateboard, dancing, and eating some amazing food (that is the kitchen you see). An average night would consist of Mattias playing some music on his guitar, me dancing with the kids, Damiano trying to rap, and a lot of times we'd bring the kitchen table outside to eat under the stars. 

From what locals have told me, and my own experience, only about 10 or 20 percent of the people here have internet, and of those people that have it it's usually because of business. Life at Salvatore and Francesca's is simple, but I love it. It's been so fun to get to know the kids more, swimming in their homemade pool full of spring water, playing card games, hide n seek, dancing, watching a few videos of them as kids, and just enjoying life. They are such loving people, and experiences like this will be so useful to look back on in the future when I have my own family.

One night we celebrated what would be translated as the night of falling (shooting) stars. It was awesome. We had dinner out by the fire, and Salvatore was making some music with drums, and afterwards we all sat on some blankets to watch the vivid stars.

The next night at the home I was feeling really connected, and when I'm feeling that kind of energy there is no way I'm sleeping, or even want to for that matter. I walked around under the stars, chilled with the animals for a bit, and I was looking for the cats, 5 minutes later one walks right towards me out of the darkness. I then make my way to the balcony and right as I turn the corner I see a chunk of space matter disintegrate 4 or 500 yards in front of me up in the air, with blue and white streams of light, that were at least 10 times brighter & longer than a normal shooting star. Umm. Wow. And the rest of the night I'd be walking around, doing whatever, and I'd look up in the sky. Boom. Shooting star. It happened three other times.