Noto, Sicilia, May 2006


Having been on the road for the past six weeks (has it been that long?/has it only been that long?) it has taken very little persuasion for us to settle into the natural rhythm of life in the rugged south west coast of Sicily. We are staying in the countryside with our first WWOOFing host, the vivacious Mariangela and her 11yr old daughter Alba. The farm is small and perfectly formed and sits on a mountainous throne surrounded by curtseying valleys that lead to the hounourable ocean which dutifully patrols the horizon. A typical day, and days here do tend to be typical, rewards the early riser with cool golden skies and punishes those who toil (tour/explore) in the heat of the midday sun when any self respecting local is in bed.

Upon arising around 6 we set to our main task, one of creating a firebreak around the eastern side of the property. The work is hard (we have biceps to prove it) but important as in summer temperatures can reach an astonishing 48 degrees in the shade (through the snow, barefoot..) and fire is a constant and real threat to which Mariangela nearly lost her home 8yrs ago. (It goes without saying that person's who go by the name 'Andy' are banned from Sicily between the months of June - September). To clear the land, we work in unison with pick and shovel like the anti-dwarfs we are and by 9am having done the majority of our days required 4hrs work (in exchange for accommodation and food) we swing ax over shoulder and hi ho home for coffee and dry bread. Fortunately, breakfast is the most understated of the italian meals, and although simple, it is good. Damn good. And then there is lunch. Mama Mia. Its just like every wet italian food dream you've ever had but with more olive oil.

So what to do we do after 11am when our days work is done? Well, other than lunch and the requisite siesta there is italian language study to be done, books to be read, drawings to be made, letters to be written, wine to be drunk (from the barrel to the recycled water bottle to our bellies...), the world to be contemplated and the next part of our holiday/life to be planned. Does this all sound to good to be true? Hmmmm. It is good. It is true.








ps; random photo's of skaters and breakers were part of "world fitness tour" complete with aerobics and spinning classes in the street. lots of lycra. nice one noto.