The Heart of Sicily

The train ride was like passing into a different world. We went by the ocean for a while, and then to the heart of Sicily, Caltanissetta. I used a pay phone to call Salvatore and an hour later they pulled in, the car was full of people, and I did the first ever cheek kissing greeting. I met Francesca his wife, and their kids Damiano, Benedata, Stella, and Teresa. Also, June, an old lady from Scotland who has been wwoofing for 12 years all over the world. The family is warm and welcoming. We drive straight to Montedoro to the first of many concerts. The drive was seriously unreal. Mountainous hills for as far as the eye can see, patches of forests and colorful farm land, and houses woven into the landscape harmoniously. Wow.

 On our way to Montedoro.

Festival time baby! Salvatore is in a classic Sicilian Folk band. The music and vibe is awesome. The location of the festival was inside the town square, and they had this huge schpeel going on, with some cameras and everything, because they would now have a source of good clean water, so they were stoked on not having to waste so much plastic (I think). 

 Diego grilling up some goodies.

I sat down to eat something outside one of those vans turned into a food stand. The people didn't know any English, but right off the bat the vibes were exeptional. They pointed to the cheeseburger and fries, and I said "Noooooo I want some Sicilian food!!!" I was just trying to ask what was on the Panino and this girl was calling her friend and he didn't speak any English either. Hahah. They were laughing and I was laughing too at the whole situation. We eventually found someone that spoke English and voila, I ordered a panino. 

Over the next few hours I mainly sat outside this food stand, and had such a fun time with the Italian family that owned it. No words were understood, but it didn't matter. They taught me the gesture of taking my pointing finger, and pushing it into my cheek and making a twisting motion. Bono, it means good (foodwise). They also made me some free food, bought me some gelato, and I ordered another Panino. I was thinking how much enjoyment is lost when we snarf food down like a wild animal. Or in front of the tv not even conscious of what is going in our mouths. But it turned into a real memorable night, eating slowly, laughing, dancing (ha Diego was killing me dancing around with his grilling utensils) with the live music in the background.

 Salvatore killin' it.

 I also met some homies from Pakistan. They were some of the most gentle loving people I've met, I could feel it in the auru instantly. 

And Nikki from Belgium, who was visiting his girlfriend. Her family owns the entire town square. The Falconi family. And he told me the Mob Boss lives in that area.

This family welcomed me in like one of their own. Aaaaand the chocolate gelato stain is visible proof that it was a great night. 

That night we got home late so I wasn't aware of the location, but I woke up the next working, looked out the bathroom window and about peed my pants.

And then walked out on the balconi and was blown away. That's a view you only see in dreams, it almost looked fake it was so good.