Maymester in Sicily

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Course Blog – Cultural Engagement and Exploration (2017)

The One With the Interview Attempt

Around noon on May 24, 2017 I took to the streets of Cefalù with Cynthia in search of a Sicilian native to interview for our class. My anxiety over speaking to strangers had prevented me from tackling this assignment as early as I should have but I was determined to push myself outside of my...... KEEP READING

Posted by on May 24, 2017 in 2017 Blog post

Sometimes you just have to slow down

All trip my friends have been raving about how good the cannolis are here. Knowing my sweet tooth I was certain I would like it. Yesterday, after our site visit, we got back at 6:30 which meant we still had a full hour to make it to the best cannoli stand in Cefalú. I ordered...... KEEP READING

Posted by on May 24, 2017 in 2017 Blog post

Monreale: The Cathedral

On Tuesday, the class took a trip to the town of Monreale which is in the province of Palermo. We explored the town, but most importantly, we got to see the Cathedral. Walking into it was breathtaking, and it is one of the most gorgeous things I have ever seen. There is an overwhelming amount...... KEEP READING

Posted by on May 24, 2017 in 2017 Blog post

Fresh Cuts

A few days ago I decided to experience what it would be like to get an Italian haircut. I have noticed that the haircuts here in Sicily are much more fashion forward than most in the states. For guys, they are often shorter on the sides and longer on the top than American guys, where...... KEEP READING

Posted by on May 24, 2017 in 2017 Blog post

Religious Tolerance Displayed in Architecture

On 5/23 we went to Monreale and Palermo to visit a couple cathedrals. First in Monreale, we went to a large cathedral that the Normans commissioned in the 12th century. It was grand and tall with monastic buildings attached, all of which were surprisingly well preserved. The floor plan and style of the church was...... KEEP READING

Posted by on May 24, 2017 in 2017 Blog post

Hiking Mount Etna

  This past Sunday, we left Cefalu at around 7:30am to start driving east toward Mount Etna. The drive was about three hours, and we split it up by stopping at the most hectic and chaotic gas station I’ve ever seen. After we navigated the massive mob of people trying to buy some of the...... KEEP READING

Posted by on May 24, 2017 in 2017 Blog post

Hiking Mount Etna

When I heard we were hiking Mount Etna, I was excited. I heard about Mount Etna numerous times during my Greek Myths class first semester, so I couldn’t wait to see what all the hype was about. When we stepped out of the bus, however, my excitement level plummeted. It was freezing outside and raining...... KEEP READING

Posted by on May 24, 2017 in 2017 Blog post

Tourism

I have learned in class, and through experience, that Cefalu depends on tourism as its a main source of revenue. Both the town as a whole and the individuals who live here seeming to base their lives around tourism. It has been interesting to be able to make comparisons to my home town, because tourism also...... KEEP READING

Posted by on May 24, 2017 in 2017 Blog post

Put One Foot in Front of the Other

On Sunday morning we met at the train station at 7:30 AM, and started the drive to Mount Etna. Mount Etna is an active volcano on Sicily, caused by a subduction zone between two geological plates. I have not been to an active volcano before, and was very excited to see and learn about the...... KEEP READING

Posted by on May 24, 2017 in 2017 Blog post

Mount Etna: Humans Playing with Fire

This week, we took a bus to Etna Nord and hiked around the face of the mountain; despite the strong winds and biting precipitation, the climb to the crater was one of my favorite things we’ve done so far this trip. Our guide explained the tectonic history of Etna, telling us the connections from the...... KEEP READING

Posted by on May 23, 2017 in 2017 Blog post

Takeaways from Hiking Mount Etna

Hiking Mount Etna was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. When I saw a hike on the syllabus, I was expecting an easy, leisurely walk around the volcano. When our guide appeared on our bus with a warm hat, mittens, a rain jacket, and walking sticks, however, I realized that the hike...... KEEP READING

Posted by on May 23, 2017 in 2017 Blog post, Blog posts

The Savagery of a Sicilian Rest Stop

Up until last Sunday, my first two weeks in Sicily have been essentially stress-free. However, this all changed upon our rest stop on the way to Mount Etna. My naïve-self decided that I ought to take advantage of the rest stop, grab a coffee, a snack, and maybe use the restroom. Little did I understand...... KEEP READING

Posted by on May 23, 2017 in 2017 Blog post

A Family Reunion

My father immigrated to America when he was 12 years old from an olive farm in Ventimiglia, Sicily.  One of his four siblings stayed behind to live here and take care of the farm.  My family here includes my Aunt Tina, Uncle Sebastiano, Cousin Nino, my cousin’s wife Antonella, and their child Sebastiano (Seby for...... KEEP READING

Posted by on May 23, 2017 in 2017 Blog post

Interview with Dario Restivo

http://vocaroo.com/i/s19pQlG6vBZb For my Interview I chose Dario Restivo and we conversed on May 15, 2017 from 11:30- 12:40 am.  I wanted to compare and contrast college student life in Italy and the United States.  He was born and grew up in Cefalù and attends the University of Palermo for college.  He is in his last...... KEEP READING

Posted by on May 23, 2017 in 2017 Blog post

Mount Etna

Experience Blog 4 Roaring winds filled with an onslaught of rain greeted our group as we stepped off the bus and onto the volcanic base of Mount Etna. We had barely been exposed to the tallest point on Sicily and we immediately ran into rain after not seeing a drop for the past two weeks....... KEEP READING

Posted by on May 22, 2017 in 2017 Blog post

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