Posted by chase on Saturday, May 13, 2017 in 2017 Blog post.

The city of Cefalù and all its surroundings are beautiful. The people here are charming and I’m having the best time in Sicily—the chance to finally speak Italian with the fun-loving community brings a certain joy that’s hard to explain. Before arriving in Cefalù, I decided upon learning Italian for its expressive and musical nature. My view of Italian culture comprised a family-centered origin and a laid back style of living, both of which have turned out to perfectly suit the Sicilians I have met thus far. The slower pace and general appreciation for life and social interaction seems more genuine than that of American culture. Where some would say the Italians are lazy, I would say their underlying values allow them to further treasure the constant and steady passing of time. As I continue to learn more every day, I can see that all I’ve Romanticized and thought of the people and culture of Italy is true; just today, another beautiful moment occured when a few new friends and I ventured to the farmers’ market. Every Saturday, several farmers and vendors tucked at the bottom of a large hill proudly display their food (and with good reason) for any-and-all looking for groceries or a quick bite. As I browsed the many foods for sale, the venders would greet me and animated as soon as I started to communicate in their language. Before we left, we stopped by a small pop-up carrying several cheeses, one being caciocavallo; translated literally as ‘horse cheese’ because two separate cheeses are hung a cavallo (connected with rope and saddling a stick or branch). A friend expressed interest in the cheese so I asked the cheerful Sicilian its name, he replied with caciocavallo and con allegria, he likened its effects to Viagra and made a strong horse stance—a little more classic Italian gesturing and words I could understand here and there made me arrive at the cheese’s supposed ability to increase a man’s libido and machismo. We had a good laugh and parted ways with al Sabato prossimo! (til’ next Saturday). These are the moments where I feel most connected to Italian culture and less hurried and anxious as I do in America. After the market I took my daily afternoon nap, went to the beach, and prepared some homemade pasta alla carbonara with ingredients all from a small family-owned shop in the city. Life in Italy is centered around family and the full enjoyment of daily activites—which is hard to say for what I see as a business-focused and rushed community at home—and life in Italy is good. Ciao.

*Sorry for the picture being sideways, I could not figure out how to rotate it!