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.