Every day we either see agricultural land with olive, almond or pistachio trees, greenhouses where vegetables are grown, fields of fava beans, artichokes or cultivated prickly pear, ruins, hilltop towns or the sea. I had to chuckle about the cultivated prickly pear because living in the southwest USA I did not expect this plant here! I am so glad I did not bring jars of prickly pear jam for my hosts! There would be nothing unique in receiving that jam gift!
Our first stop was a bar. Here is where we buy a coffee and/or pastry and use a toilette. The expectation is if you use the toilette, and since they all do not require a € .50, then you’ll buy something as payment for the use of their toilette. I showed the man a photo of a Sfogliatella… this was their version as I asked for ricotta within.
We arrived at the archeological site, Valley of the Temples. I had first seen this area on the PBS television program, Doug’s Geology Journal. This Greek-built temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built in 510 – 430 BC. Sara, our local guide, walked us through the 1.5 mile area of temples and catacombs. Here are some photos from there.
Lunch was at Rita and Marcellus’ home. Delicious vegetarian meal all grown on their property: olives, sun dried tomatoes, lettuce, citron, mint and the wine was produced from just down the road. After a pasta meal, we were shown how to make moka coffee and offered some. I did not indulge because the caffeine at this late afternoon time of day would keep me up for the night.
The highlight here was seeing the cart-making work of Marcellus’ father! He worked on the ones we had seen at their home till he was 82 years old! Absolutely beautiful work requiring blacksmith, wood carver, and painter. I had an opportunity to sit on the cart as all was explained by Marcellus. These carts are now with a UNESCO Heritage designation.
Our dinner and stay this night was at an agriturismo, a country home, Villa Trigona. Very comfortable place, birds in the backyard fields, and good food for dinner and breakfast, but we stayed only one night. It’s interesting how some people in our group love being in the country while others enjoy the cities. This tour so far has had a good mix of both!