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

Bay at Castlemare

just a taste of where we are... in the northwest coastal region. weather changing dramatically but mostly bright sun, shining waters, making for a slow pace and our ease with early morning or late afternoon swims, lunch with wine and naps. angela says drinking wine here doesnt feel like drinking which i cherish as an accurate indication of the quality of our time here together, despite the truth of zen teachings on intoxication.

from Scopelo and Castlebuono Sicilia

The fields and the mountains in Scopelo where we stay, 700 m. from sea.

This little girl we fell in love with. Children lovely everywhere.

Brutti ma buoni

Brutti ma buoni ('ugly but good') which Angela has decreed is 'like me', good cookies from our neighborhood bakery

Dwight returning from Sistine Chapel via run down the Tibor having changed from suitable garb in front of some bemused carbonieri.

Trastevere (across the Tibor) is a grenich village like neighborhood. We stayed in a little apartment on the street in the background, just off this Piazza de Santa Maria Trastevere, which was the gathering place for anyone looking for cheap entertainment. All kinds of street performers would rotate through, putting comedic acts which the locals seemed very accepting of. then the passing of the hat. This is the neighborhood to stay in. Walking distance to everythng.

In Roman Holiday, it was Cary Grant who charmed Audrey Hepburn with antics around this Bocca della Verita. Here he would be the charmee like me.

La Principessa Angelina Aeroporto

The final meal

Let me see, we could have hot dogs, pizza, McDonalds or Hagen Dash! (After all we will exercise every day in Italy.)

La Principessa Angelina

Angela with characteristic elegance folding the fresh sheets, ready for our return in 5 weeks.

Pepe Le Pew

After an exhausting 2 1/2 weeks of packing, Dwight began to think he was French. When he regained his orientation, he then, of his own volition, capitulated on transporting his bike to Italy, deciding that the better path was to find one to rent or buy in Sicily.

Contact / Itinerary

CONTACTS

Cinzia Tiriticco, Rino D’Ettorre in Milan (friends)

Rino cell: 011 39 339 5950410

Cinzia cell: 011 39 338 3257557

HOME: 011 39 02 953 0-4352

Air to Italy/April 25 (UNITED FREQUENT FLYER CONF # KQ4SSY)

Swiss Air/Chicago O’Hare to Zurich/Wed, April 25, 7:30 p.m./Arrives Zurich Thu, April 26 at 11 a.m.

Swiss Air/Zurich to Rome/Thurs April 26, 12:35 p/Arrives Rome Thu, Apr 26 at 2 p.m.



Rome to Palermo (Conf. # LCRGXI)

MAY 2, 9:20 a.m/.Alitalia/Flight 1777 (arrive 10:20)



Palermo/Rome/

May 22, 7:20 a.m./Alitalia Flight 1774, Palermo to Rome (arrive 8:20)

Train or Bus, Rome to Pescara



Air to USA/May 31

United 967/Rome to Washington/Dulles Thur May 31 at 11:15 a.m., arrive Wash at 3 p.m.

United 951/Wash/Dulles to Chicago, May 31 at 5:15 p.m./Arrive Chicago Ohare 6:31 p.m.



Rome – April 26 – arrive 2 p.m. – depart May 2 at 10 a.m. (6 nights)

Bed & Breakfast Association of Rome (Lori: Code # 131 Santa Maria in Trastevere)

011 39-0655302248 (FAX: +39-0655302259) www.b-b.rm.it

Conf. # 4392/2006 (LC)

Address: Via della Lungaretta 88 – ground – Doorbell: Francesco Paolucci

Telephone: 011 39 3382237256 office 011 39 06 68134625



Palermo – May 2 – May 5 (3 nights) (Andrea/Stefania)

Hotel Posta

via Antonio Gagini 77, 90133

(011) 39.091.587338/info@hotelpostapalermo.it



Villa Levante May 5 – May 12 (7 nights)

Konny, our agent: 011.39.0925.951.770 or 011.39.333.9500236

Diego Levante 00 39 0921 671914 or cell 00 39 335 6394574



Scopello May 12 – 21 (9 nights)

Giuseppina Ferrarella,via XV Maggio n°22,91011 Alcamo(TP) Sicilia
Italia Cell. 011 39 338 1659160 . Casa 011 39(0) 924 28692.
Palermo May 21

TBA

Pescara May 22 - 29

Cinzia Tiriticco, Rino D’Ettorre in Milan (friends)

Rino cell: 011 39 339 5950410

Cinzia cell: 011 39 338 3257557

HOME: 011 39 02 953 0-4352

Rome May 29 -31

Leave Rome May 31 for USA