Il Circolo della Musica

This is a little place off the main piazza in Castelbuono where men about world war II veteran age gather to listen to music together. We were charmed by this pattern of togetherness -- enjoyment of music; everyone well dressed; some newspapers, coffee and conversation. All men, no women.

Note: Movie taken on Angela's Fuji digital camera, loaded to MAC laptop and then uploaded to YouTube.

Neptune Rising

A road trip from Castelbuono to the coast for a swim and and some sun. water about 70 degrees. all by our selves. Rocks a little hard on the feet as you come out but the beach was magnicent.

As he is the only swimmer in just/eastman family, Dwight gets the title of 'Neptuno' or 'Tuno'

View of Castelbuono

I biked from here to Pollina, an hour each way but some huge uphill climbs either way.

Villa Levante

Our villa in Castlebuono. 60 Euros a night got us bedroom and kitchen living room in this castle built in 1800 by Senor Levante s forebearers, descendants from the Spanish who ruled the island for 500 years until 1860 and Garibaldi.

Senor Levante maintains everything perfectly -- simplicity and beauty of stone courtyard, roses trained over archways, places to sit in the sun and shade and relax and write. We could read the Leopard, sicilian novel about just such a prince at the time of unification. stay here and then go to the beach at scopelo which is so different -- all sea shining at the foot of the mountains.

Angela and friends in Castlebuono

Castlebuono is a very quaint mountain town 40 minutes from sea, hour and half from Palermo, but in some ways untouched by time. streets are often without cars, everyone walks aka passagiato; scores of old men, dressed in suits and jackets hang at bars, clubs and street corners; tutto multe gentille .. Here a rare contact with the boys of Castelbuono, quite taken with Angela, insisting on traditional two cheek kiss on parting. oh the things that dwight can get you into!

Palermo p.o. -- Angela and friend

3 hour errand at post office, angela and peer group friend who explained her deceased husband never wanted her to work and she has decided not to dress her age. one of the bright spots of a trying episode. you have to smile spending money and time to send clothes home that you knew well enough not to take in the first place. slow learners and having fun doing it. yeah.

scopelo

a bit of the arab quality of local architecture. arabs occupied sicily for 700 years