December 5, 2013
A whirlwind two weeks of work (read: hard labor) in Republika Srbija is over.
As we rolled from one misty town to the next, the slate-gray sky spewed rain, sleet and snow. There were mutterings of discontent: We’re waiting for more war, someone said. There could be revolution, another whispered. Coal dust fell from chimneys. I felt dim. Everywhere I drank cappuccino, but nowhere did it taste anything like it should have. I looked for cornetti where there were none. Only the brilliant eyes of 450 teachers kept melancholia at bay.
Today I had real coffee on my very own sun-dazed piazza. Hot rays hit my cheeks and I yanked off my scarf, then my jacket and sweater in a kind of joyful frenzy. My impish pal Salvatore sat across the table. It’s the scirocco, he said, pointing south. From Africa.
Later, sitting with my cutting board in the blue air, I snip off rosemary and bay leaves from the clay pots. I set a tomato sauce to burble away on the stove and turn up Bocelli, who belts out an old Sicilian tune, E vui durmiti ancora.
I guess you could say I’m undergoing a metamorphosis. Back to Sicilian me.
And what a warm welcome you have received, back into your true home. What a superbly Sicilian-flavoured photo you have cooked up!
Someday, when I’ve finally won the Lotto or some rich relative has died and left me a fortune, I shall buy my villa in Tuscany. And when I do, you must have me over for dinner, per piacere! Those tomatoes look divine, lady! 🙂
The Sicilian tomato sauce will be awaiting you, my dear.
Nothing makes one appreciate “Home” like getting away from it and traveling! Glad you enjoyed your trip, but I know you’re even gladder to be back!
You’re right about that, Debbie…
Bentornata tesoro xx
Wow, that was beautiful! Well done, and I envy you so much!
Ciao Jeff. Thanks for visiting!
I do LOVE this photo!
You are bringing back summer memories 🙂
Oh did I say that I visited Ibla in August….had real coffee, gelato di-vino, sat at the piazza. Me liked it very much.
Thanks Marina. So glad you got a chance this summer to revisit your isle.
Haha, you’re Sicilian now! Love, love, love, love the photo and “sun-dazed piazza” xx
Sure is starting to feel like it, Narelle!
Love you photo! That juicy tomato makes my mouth water. Is there any more enticing fragrance than garlic and rosemary??
Evelyn, thanks for your comment. I agree about rosemary. I could just tape a sprig under my nose and walk around with it all day long, though Italians might consider that brutta figure.
This makes me laugh. This morning my dog was “languishing” in the rosemary bushes to avoid the cold rain. When she came back to bed, she smelled like a delicious roast!
Very funny, Ru!
Oh! Your words took me low then took me high. You can actually FEEL emotions on this page from where you were! The tomato is so red and beautiful!
Nan, thanks for this sweet comment. It’s always nice to know that feelings are actually getting through this impersonal beast we call the internet. 🙂
Click your heels together…..”There’s no place like home”.
That’s for sure, Sandee… But you must be getting ready to leave the nest for the adventure of Africa!
Your photos always transport me back to Sicilia. Thankyou.
So happy about that. Grazie a te, Francesca.
***Hot rays hit my cheeks and I yanked off my scarf, then my jacket and sweater in a kind of joyful frenzy.***
Not only do you take kick-butt photos, but you write beautifully, as well, sweet Jann in Sicily. Xxxxx
Kim, as always, you’re way too kind!!! 🙂 xxxxx Baci di Sicilia.
Returning to your town, you got the sun again,Jann.Though still we have the sun in Ankara,the far east of Turkey is experiencing -30 C.
Brrrrr. I’m glad I’m not there now, Cemal. Stay warm.
How great that you are back home in sunny Sicily.
Just appreciate those perfect SD skies, Ria. xxxx
…and the sauce was also burbling away yesterday afternoon…’cept it was in Canada and not Sicilia…#$%@#$!&*!!!
Ha! But Canada has its own charms, Angelo…. Hope you enjoyed your sauce 🙂
What a wonderful photo!! I love ALL your photos but this one touches me deeply! Thank you for the comment on my blog and you were so insightful!! That painting you referred to was indeed Ragusa Ibla!!!! One day I hope to get there again! In the meantime i’ll live vicariously through your beautiful photographs and wonderful blog! ciao ciao, Liana.
Thank you Liana. It’s great to have you here, even vicariously.
Hi Jan, your descriptions are always amazing! And I almost can smell and taste the flavours of Sicily
Ciao Pina & grazie. xxx
Enjoy your respite back home. I’m certain that you earned it.
Sometimes it’s good to get away from places you love because you see them again with fresh eyes. I bet that’s the way it is for you in Rome. xxx
sooo glad you are home safe & sound. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
Thanks Peggy. There were a few moments, driving on snowy Serbian highways at crazy speeds, when I wasn’t sure about the “safe and sound” part. (Not that the driving there is any worse than in Italy…)
I have always maintained that tomatoes, garlic, and rosemary should be paired with baroque Sicilian architecture. We are on the same page.
Ha, Sam. A great pairing, indeed.
Welcome home Jann! Can’t wait to see you and Kim again soon. Your beautiful photo makes me hungry! You brought the sun out when you returned. It rained the entire time you were gone:)
A presto!
Hey Gianni! Really, there was that much rain??? (Things do look pretty green.) A presto. xx