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

It has been almost a week since we arrived in Cefalù! In these past few days, I’ve gotten to know my classmates while exploring sites such as Solunto, Mozia, and Segesta.

Walking through the ancient settlements and buildings was like walking through a time machine. Before this trip, all I remembered about the ancient Phoenicians was how they had brought the alphabet to the Mediterranean. I never knew about their settlements in Sicily, and the constant fear that citizens had of invasion. Our tour guide Vittoria made an interesting point about human sacrifice, in that it would have been necessary since their gods could do much worse if they didn’t respect them. Walking through the ruins of their homes made the Phoenician peoples more real, as physical human beings who had lived, prospered, and fallen.

Back in Cefalù, Katie and I tackled ordering deli foods at the macelleria. Before ordering, the task had seemed daunting and even impossible, because in Italy there are different measurements and preparations of meats and cheeses. Macellerias are also more intimate than in supermarkets in America, and only two people were working in the one we visited. Fortunately, after researching what phrases to use and what an “etto” was, Katie and I managed to communicate what we wanted. Even though it was a small part of my day, I left the macelleria feeling exhilarated and like I had accomplished something.

Meanwhile, in the villa a new visitor has made a presence. He is a cat who enjoys watching the goings-on of the villa from the back patio. Many of my villamates have walked around the corner to see a pair of yellow eyes staring at them. We’ve agreed to call him Pepe, from the Italian word for pepper. Over the days, he has become increasingly friendly.

This week I learned about pioneers of the past and their successes and failures, along with the use of the Italian language in specific situations. In the coming weeks, I hope to continue learning both current and ancient culture in Sicily.