“In Sicily,” the locals always say, “You’ve got to have friends.”
So true. Without amici, I would not know where to find wild asparagus, or how to dry tomatoes in the sun. I would not have heat in the winter, or olive oil in autumn. I would not have had books or lipstick during my hospital stay, or the best doctor in town. I would not have known how to get a codice fiscale, open a bank account, or buy a house.
I have learned a lot about the Sicilian heart in the process.
To FRIENDSHIP in the New Year!!!
Quantu va ‘n’amicu ‘n chiazza, ‘un ce va cent’unzi ‘n cascia, Sicilians say. A trusted friend is a real treasure.
***
I honestly believe that Sicilians have the biggest hearts. Just ask anyone that has ever met a Sicilian, got lost in Sicily or been invited into a Sicilian’s home – it’s instant family & friends for life!
Yes, you’re right, Laura! Thanks so much for leaving a comment–welcome to the blog!
Ahh, la mia amica bella, queste foto toccare mia cuore….. Ci vediamo presto! 🙂 Hope I said all of that right! Piano..piano
Oh, what beautiful italiano!!! Brava!
Oh, Jann, can this post be any lovelier! Your stunning shots have successfully convinced me that friendship is indeed at the heart of Sicily. Every photo conveys the love and appreciation the subjects have for one another. I love every one of them! Happy 2013, amica! XOXO:)
Gracias, amica mia! You’re so sweet, Bella.
What a wonderful way to start the new year. Buon anno, Jann! Over the years I have developed “framily”, friends who are family to me. We’ve met some lovely and helpful people since taking up the residence in Pozzallo. Auguri!
Thank you, Anitre. It’s been so nice “meeting” you this year through the blog, and I hope we can meet in person sometime soon. Auguri back to you!
A beautiful ode to friendship and living abroad. Once those friends appear, life is magic! Coming to you by way of Loree at Stories and Scribbles and so glad I have. Love your images, each and every one! Best wishes for 2013… Jeanne 🙂
Thank you, Jeanne. It’s so good to hear from you–all the way from Viet Nam! Your blog is fascinating, and I look forward to learning more about a country I’d LOVE to visit.
Jann, you’ve done it again, captured in the faces of these kids a “look” shared by so many of my mom’s people! Thank you for that. And what a splendid message, too!
Debbie–I love it when you drop by! Happy new year to you!
Hi Jann,
We will be there in July and August and we definitely want to make a trip to your corner of the island. When the time gets closer I will be in touch!
great!!
That sounds so familiar because I know that it is perfectly true.
🙂 Thanks for stopping by, Loree.
yes i agree 3 things you build and protect.
Palermo 1990
I said goodby to my friend yesterday, embracing her then reaching out and touching her as she stepped away as if to prolong the moment. I didn’t think at the time I may never see her again.
“No friendship is an accident. ”
― O. Henry, Heart of the West
a bird a nest, the spider a web, man friendship. William Blake
What does this mean to you?
Well, to me it means that friendship is as important to a human as a nest is to a bird–that friendship is a place where man can feel “at home.” Is that how you take it?
To friendship!! Ah, the two little girls in particular … so touching x
Ciao & thanks for dropping by!
—-Oooo, Jann,
My heart just filled up.
I looooove the 2 boys together. SWEET.
I love all of it.
Xxxx Kiss from Minnesota.
They’ll grow up to be heartbreakers, those 2. xxxxxxkisses back to you, Kim.
We’ll be heading to Donnalucata in about a month. This is a great reminder of what we have to look forward to. Thanks Jan.
Hope to see you!!!
Jann, I love the black and white. It goes to the essence of these beautiful subjects of yours. My Italian friends are my most precious friends. It seems there’s another level there. I think it’s also something that resonates with my own inner Italian….Comunque I know just what you mean and love the way you put it into words… I hope your new year’s off to a sweet start! Un abbraccio. xx
Thanks for this comment, Janine, and un abbraccio back to you. xxxxxx
Whoa… some really great comments from all! I bet these folks have awesome friends! The faithful friends I have now and will meet are like precious gifts and when I find them I treasure them. I can’t wait to visit Sicily! Sounds like Sicily has some real cool people who I’ll be thrilled to meet! Grazie mille, Jann!
Dina, you’ll love them! And they’ll love you. xxxxxxxxx Keep warm up there in Alaska.
It is the same in Bagni di Lucca. I wouldn’t be able to have the wonderful life I have there without the help of my friends
Debra–glad to hear the Tuscans are as friendly as the Sicilians…
Love the glimpses of life you capture!
Lisa, thank you for dropping by & buon anno!
Jann I always look forward to opening up your posts, I love the heart you put into your images! Sicily fascinates me and it is part of our children’s heritage. I look forward to those lessons to come from my Italian amici….hope you had a great New Year and Christmas.
ciao love lisa x
Lisa, I’m highly anticipating your move to Italy this year!!!! May 2013 bring you all the best and many new amici.
How cute are the two young fellows in the last photo?! Love their bonding. I agree about friendship.
Hi Rosann, hope you have a wonderful new year, filled with a trip or two or three to your beloved Rome. xxxxxxxxxx
Ciao Jann, I am 100% Sicilian and proud of my heritage. I’m so proud and happy that Sicily has worked for you. Enjoy your life with those wonderful people.
Ciao John–sending you warmest wishes for the new year.
Your post is so true. In the few short weeks we were there last summer, we made some wonderful friends in Cianciana. I can’t wait to get back there!
Diane–when do you head back to Sicilia? Let me know if you get to my region…
do you believe me if i tell you that just last year I found a nice place and learnt how to look for wild asparagus!! one of my dearest friend told me, of course 🙂
Yes it’s true….
yes you can’t leave without friends…..
gtazie Jann ’cause you could find OUR heart
You have to be a very good friend before people show you their secret asparagus place (or their secret mushroom place)… 🙂
Hi Jann, How so very true! I’m sure that’s part of the draw that pulls us toward that little island. Wonderful to count you both on that list of Sicilian friends! A presto.
A prestissimo, amico mio.xxxxxxxx
Happy New Year Jann! You bring a huge smile to my face mentioning finding wild asparagus with friends, something we did in Utah! So true, very cool. BTW…does RAGUSA have anything in common with aspaRAGUS. Tommy
Ciao Tommy
Really, you can find wild asparagus in Utah???? Ha-I never thought about the aspaRAGUS-RAGUSa connection!! Happy 2013 back to you.
A friend in need is a friend indeed. I send my respect and best wishes to the Sicilians who have become friends of my friend, Jann, from 7 to 70.
Wait a minute, Cemal! What about us 72 year old people?
Sending you a big virtual hug, Cemal (but let’s not count the number of years we have been friends).