"All the single ladies..all the single ladies...." and .... stop, that is all I know of that song.
Our visitors this summer have all been single ladies, (singles being that they all came alone) first Tara, then Kathy and 2 surprise guests Jenna ( daughter of a good friend) and my niece, Naomi; who you all might remember from Spain, she travelled with us for 3+ weeks from Almerimar to Ibiza (sometimes in pirate outfits), ah but that is another, already told story. No need for rehashing tales yet.
Branko and I enjoyed the company of wonderful women, old and new friends and family.
Jenna, never having been on a boat, nor to Italy/Sicily contacted us and asked to visit.
She stayed a week.
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| water fountain, Savona |
Visitors always get you to see new things, we travelled to Forza Agro, a hilltop town a few miles from Taromina, beautiful views, well kept town and got invited into a home for coffee. Then on to Savona, where some Godfather II scenes were shot. Mainly where young Michael asks his 1st wife's father for her hand. Another hilltop town, with mummies, castles, valley views and a cat.
My niece Naomi arrived later in the month and we got to travel a little in Calabria. More hilltop towns in Calabria. Bova (hopefully going to their wine fest in November) and Gerace, fantastic Norman town. We are amazed at how the Normans not only got around, but built so much on the tops of precipitous hills, in short timeframes.
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| 'Seat' of a Greek Goddess, seriously |
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| Gerace, Calabria |
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| Us and Branko's thumb |
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| Bova, Calabria |
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| Naomi, Jenna in Bova |
Branko and I were given tickets to hear and see the Song Symphony at the Teatro Greco in Taromina.
The ancient theatre (the teatro greco, or "Greek theatre") is built of brick, and probably of Roman date, though the plan and arrangement are Greek. The present theatre was rebuilt on the foundations of a theatre from the Greek period. With a diameter of 120 metres (after an expansion in the 2nd century), this theatre is the second largest of its kind in Sicily (after that of Syracuse); it is used, still for concerts. The greater part of the original seats have disappeared, but the wall which surrounded the whole cavea is preserved.
The theatre sits atop a hill, overlooking Naxos Bay. The stage is positioned so the entire audience gets a view of Mount Etna. There is no roof. Your senses are heightened by the natural beauty.
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| From the cheap seats, see Etna? |
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| Our evening, Song Symphony |
The Song Symphony is multifaceted performance. First you have the Palermo Classical Symphony Orchestra ( mostly young musicians) playing instruments from the harp to the drums. Every instrument is represented in this entertaining orchestra. Second is the conductor, lively, young and obviously enjoying himself. Third, a young American woman Bria Drain who sings old blues songs and hip hop. Accompanying her at different times is a fantastic trumpet player Fabrizo Bosso and harmonica player Giuseppe Milici. Excellent concert.
Palermo Classical Symphony Orchestra takes viewers on a journey from Gershwin to Ray Charles and tapping through the Beatles, the leadership of the orchestra conductor Stefano Nanni , singer Bria Drain, Fabrizio Bosso on trumpet, Giuseppe Milici harmonica, and Raphael Gualazzzi piano.
In addition, the Sicilian heart throb Raphael Gualazzzi, playing piano and singing. The ladies, old and young, loved him. He did not look the part, but he had charisma and talent.
The unusual blend of these musicians was incredible, seriously entertained by a wide variety of music and instruments.
Earlier in the summer a few cruiser friends were anchored in Taromina Bay. We decided to have a girls day. Catania shopping at the everyday market, lunch and dinner. A long day but wonderful. The picture below is us at the end of the market day (which is early afternoon. )
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| Ange, Aylin, Jess, Kim and ? |
As we were posing, the lady in the colourful dress, jumped into the photo. Only in Sicily:-)
My birthday celebration this year was dinner with George, Donna, Jenna and Branko. We ended up in a restaurant in Naxos, owned by an acquaintance of G and D. The owner joined us, gave us champagne, liqueurs, cake and more champagne! The food was good too:-)
On our way home, George found a Sicilian band who had just stopped playing for the night. He asked them to play Volare, and asked me to sing...poor band.
Mag 8-)
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| Donna and George |
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| Jenna |
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| our drinks and Donna |
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The band
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