We have arrived!  On May 9, 2016 the Maymester in Sicily participants arrived in Cefalù to start our study of Mediterranean culture.  It was an adventurous day as several students missed connections, had to be rebooked on different flights, and a handful arrived without their luggage.  However, we were able to enjoy a delicious pasta dinner together at Al Porticciolo before settling in for a good night’s sleep.

And now begins our big adventure……

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A Remark on my Time in Sicily

I sit in the Piazza Duomo of Cefalù, in the province of Palermo, on the Italian island of Sicily, thousands of miles from my home and the comfort of familiarity.  The sun douses the square with bright white light, but a light breeze keeps the heat off me.  I sit alone at a table in...... KEEP READING

Posted by curnintb on May 30, 2016 in Blog posts

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Siracusa Response

Jack Curtis While touring the catacombs in Siracusa, our tour guide mentioned that the bones of an important religious icon were moved from the site in Siracusa when the Arabs invaded Sicily for their protection and preservation.  In class, we learned that the Arabs brought a very innovative and prosperous era to Sicily.  In fact,...... KEEP READING

Posted by curtisjs on May 30, 2016 in Blog posts

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A Tour of Siracusa

Come take another tour with Alana Fromm and Cara Petrucci through the Catacombe di San Giovanni and the Duomo di Siracusa! Siracusa... KEEP READING

Posted by petruccj on May 30, 2016 in Blog posts

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Observations in Piazza Duomo

Jack Curtis Observations in Piazza Duomo at 18:20 on 5/17/16 After passing through Piazza Duomo for nearly every day for a week, I notice that I see the same people every trip and see them now.  It makes me wonder if these people are retired, unemployed, or simply work less frequently than Americans.  For example,...... KEEP READING

Posted by curtisjs on May 30, 2016 in Blog posts

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Meet Dario

Meet Dario, a student in his 20s from Cefalù. Fascinated by art, poetry and architecture, he has decided to dedicate his life to it and has been studying architecture at university for the past couple of years. He has one year left at the university in Palermo before he finishes school and begins to look...... KEEP READING

Posted by petruccj on May 30, 2016 in Blog posts

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A Tour of Agrigento

Come take of tour of the Valley of Temples with Cara Petrucci and Alana Fromm! Agrigento... KEEP READING

Posted by petruccj on May 29, 2016 in Blog posts

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La Rocca (Video Tour)

On Tuesday (May 17) we hiked up La Rocca, the rock formation that gives Cefalu its unique name and shape. This short video slideshow gives a little insight into its history and the gorgeous views we enjoyed during our hike. La Rocca Response Please note: Since the slideshow is in a movie format, you cannot easily...... KEEP READING

Posted by Arthi on May 27, 2016 in Blog posts

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Getting settled in Cefalù

This year, 14 Vanderbilt students are participating in the 2016 Maymester in Sicily.  We are spending the month learning about Mediterranean Culture and traveling around the island of Sicily using Cefalù as our home base. On May 9th, I met the students at the airport and we took a private shuttle back to Cefalù.  Once...... KEEP READING

Posted by Jessica Greenfield on May 13, 2016 in Blog posts

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