Sicily - Day 3

November 28, 2010

            This morning started out the same as yesterday. After I showered and got ready for the day, Nonna had put out breakfast cookies, toast with orange jam, fruit, and coffee.  We had a good breakfast and then Nonno and I watched some more soccer on TV.  Around 10:00, Nonno asked me if I wanted to walk around Sciacca and stop at a bakery.  I said yes, so I grabbed my camera and off we went.  We walked around all of these little streets and climbed up winding staircases.  Nonno is a great tour guide and was telling me all about the town square where they have a flea market.  He said, “When the flea market is happening, and I want to get through…Forget about it!  Not gonna happen!” 

Nonno and I walked down to the port and had an Espresso in a café and I took a lot of pictures.  The town square was filled with the locals chatting in little groups on a Sunday afternoon.  Nonno told me it was a typical Sunday in Sciacca.  As we walked farther, we saw a few more churches that Nonno pointed out.  Mass was going on inside, so we didn’t stay inside long.  The main streets of Sciacca were are already decorated for Christmas.  Garland, ornaments, and small lights are all hanging above the street.  We finally made it to Nonno’s favorite bakery and he bought a bunch of sweets for the week.  The try was piled high with Italian goodies and it all looked so good!  As we made our was home, Nonno pointed out one of five old town doors that would shut at night and lock the city in.  It’s not in use anymore since the city has grown, but it still is neat to look at.  Nonno said that was part of the route of a parade that happens twice a year in honor of the Blessed Mother.  Many men volunteer to help carry the statue of the Blessed Mother through town without shoes on.  Nonno said it’s a big deal and a lot of people come to watch.  It was getting hot out, so Nonno and I had to take a rest on the walk home.  He kept sweating and looked at me and said, “It’s so hot out.  Oh my God!” 

When we got home, Nonna had put out lunch and was waiting for us with a smile.  She saw the amout of sweets Nonno brought home and went, “Mamma Mia!  Oh my God!”  I laughed.  Nonna had left overs out on the table for lunch.  We of course has olives, bread, cheese, and dried sausage to start.  Then, we ate some pizza, chicken, potatoes, and French fries from the other night.  I also has two of the sweets Nonno brought home.  Nonna kept putting food on my plate and saying, “Mangia, mangia!”  I was so full by the end it was not even funny. 

Nonno told me he got his nephew, Fabio, to drive us to the airport later today.  He said Fabio would pick us up around 4:00 PM.  Nonno then said, “Now, it’s 12:30 PM.  At 3:00, we eat again, then go to the airport. Va bene?”  I responded, “Si, va bene” as I clutched my stomach. 

Nonno and I watched mor soccer this afternoon and Nonno was yelling at the TV again.  Nonno was putzing in the kitchen and then it was time for me to go.  We didn’t eat again before I left because we had eaten so much earlier.  Fabio came to pick us up and I said goodbye to Nonna.  Fabio had a really nice car.  He drove like a typical young Italian, swerving in and out and driving pretty fast.  I decided when I was in his car on the way to Palermo that I would never survive driving in Europe.  I said Grazie to Fabio and Ciao and Grazie to Nonno as we got to the airport around 5:00 PM.  I managed to entertain myself in the airport until the plane took off.  We had some trouble getting off the ground on time because the dippy Easyjet employees had their passenger count wrong. Way to go!  

So, I got back to Rome around 11:15 PM and hopped on the train back to the apartment.  I'm wiped from the AWESOME weekend I had in Sicily!

I absolutely love Nonno and Nonna.  They will forever have a special place in my heart.  I want to go back and visit them someday because they are awesome and Sciacca is beautiful!  Nonno and Nonna are true models of generosity, love, and simplicity.  I love them so much.  This was by far my favorite trip this whole semester.  I had an awesome weekend!