baroquesicily.com - Sicily Stories and Travel Tips from Jann Huizenga

My Quirky Village, Part 2 (Lions Galore)

October 11, 2012

A pride of lions and lionesses populate the village.

Sometimes it seems there are more of you than us…

What’s your story, Leo? Are you a leftover symbol of the Ancient Greek colonies on Sicily? (Hercules slew a lion, didn’t he?) Or do you come from Sicily’s Norman period, when your lion’s head was the symbol of the Hauteville’s?

Have you seen the majestic lions and lionesses of Sicily?

Do you know anything about them? Please educate me, dear Reader.

***

P.S. One of my readers, an Irishman (I love the Irish!!!!) sent me this photo of a lion door in Palermo. It’s not just any door! It’s the door of a fabulous-looking palazzo, a B&B he recommends called Butera 28. It seems reasonably priced, is owned by a duke and duchess, and is listed in 1000 Places to See Before You Die. Thank you, dear Reader, for this great tip.

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My Quirky Village, Part 1 (Twins)

October 4, 2012

Mario and Ettore.

Ettore and Mario.

Twins in Sicily, copyright Jann Huizenga

Mario & Ettore, or Ettore & Mario

Which is which? Who is who?

Not sure.

But they’re a fine pair of fellows. You can often find them under the tall palms on the piazza.

They wear coppole, the signature hat of Sicily, but with their own quirky twist: backwards.

Mario and Ettore, you cut a bella figura. Or is that two belle figure?

Not sure.

But I love you guys!

***

PS: This is how they may have looked as babies.

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The Pooches of Southeast Sicily

September 29, 2012

My doggie died of old age just before my moving-to-Sicily (mis)adventures began.

I still miss him. The warm fur that smelled like buttered popcorn. Those runny, hound dog eyes.

So I pet and photograph every other pooch I meet—though none can quite compare!

Acate

Sicilian Dog in Fiat 500, copyright Jann Huizenga

Vizzini

Siracusa

Dog against white wall in Sicily, copyright Jann Huizenga

Chiaramonte Gulfi

Four Dogs in Sicily, copyright Jann Huizenga

Giarratana

Have a great Sunday!!!

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Men in Red Chairs in Southeast Sicily

September 25, 2012

No longer do I feel so completely alien.

My fellow villagers have welcomed me with grace and charm. I love them madly.

You’ll find these guys in their red chairs most evenings at their circolo operai, club for workers. (Be sure to stop and say hello when you come to town.)

Can you guess their jobs?

From left to right

Giovanni C: Gravedigger. His job does not make him sad, though he says it is wise to stay away from the cemetery at night, when souls take a walk.

Giuseppe C: Classics teacher at secondary school (and president of the circolo).

Giovanni M: Dogcatcher, retired.

Giovanni S: Bread baker, retired. They used to call him “Il Principe del Pane,” the Prince of Bread. He made 20 different kinds of loaves everyday. It was hard work, very hot in the summer, and he’s glad to be retired.

Pietro di S: Waiter. Retired.

Angelo E: Gravedigger. Works with Giovanni C.

***

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