#sicilian landscape

[seasicily]

Tre Piscine Cala del Cuore, Capo Zafferano, Bagheria, Palermo, Sicily

[vinescreens]

The White Lotus: Sicily

[capozafferano]

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A post shared by Giuseppe Gallo (@bhangy)

[eddy25960]

Konrad Helbig (1917–1986) was a German photographer, art historian and archaeologist.

He is mostly known for intimate images of young Sicilian men. Nude photographs of young men were discovered after his death. These photographs, some of which were taken in the 1950s, are seen in the tradition of Wilhelm von Gloeden and Guglielmo Plüschow.

As a photographer and art historian, he systematically followed the traces of antiquity through the various cultural landscapes in Sicily and on the Italian mainland, in Turkey and on the Greek islands since 1954. For months he travelled from archaeological site to archaeological site and from museum to museum.

Like many photographers of the 50s and 60s, he worked with two cameras in parallel in black and white and in color.

Helbig's photographic work is held in the archives of the Deutsche Fotothek in Dresden, in the picture archive Foto Marburg of the University of Marburg and in the State Archive Hamburg within the collection of the German Society for Photography archive.

[peakyswritings]

Heart, Body and Soul || Tommy Shelby x OC

PART I

Summary: When the conflict with a powerful family threatens to bring down the Shelby Clan, Tommy takes a trip to Italy. In order to stop the disaster, two families must become one: marriage seems to be the only way to seal an alliance and bring peace. It’s Nina Ferrante, fierce and rebellious, the one who slowly makes her way into his heart, with steps so light he doesn’t even realise it. But things are not as easy as they may seem: one, Tommy is expected to marry her cousin, and two - Nina has no intention of getting married.

Warnings: mentions of arranged marriage, slow-burn, small age-gap (Tommy’s 30, Nina is in her early 20s), English is not my first language.

A/N: here’s the first chapter of my new series. This is set somewhere between season 1 and 2. At the end, you’ll find the translation of a couple of Italian expressions. Feedback is always appreciated🤍

SERIES MASTERLIST

SERIES MOODBOARD

Gif credit

Dividers credit

Tommy gazed out the window of the car, watching the landscape pass before his eyes. The small Sicilian village was so different from Birmingham. It was rural, peaceful, and the air was clean, he could fill his lungs without smelling the smoke and the shit. Beyond the uphill road, he could even hear the sound of the sea. Had he been in a different situation, he would’ve enjoyed that sound, along with the feeling of the sunlight on his face.

But he had to stay focused. Because he was alone, and the men in the car with him were speaking words he couldn’t understand. They could’ve easily taken him to an empty field and put a bullet in his head, and no one would’ve known. His hand went to the gun inside his coat, taking in the feeling of security brought by the contact of the cold metal against his skin.

Vincenzo Ferrante said something to the driver, then his eyes met Tommy’s through the rearview mirror. There was a strange glimpse in them, something that vaguely resembled amusement. He knew he had the upper hand.

A familiar tingling sensation crawled over the back of Tommy’s neck. It was the way of his body to tell him that danger was near, had started to get it in France, and it hadn’t left him since. His fingers forcefully pressed against the grip of the gun as his hold tightened for a few seconds. Then, slowly, he released it, his hand coming to rest on his lap. He took a deep breath, pulling himself together. He had a deal with those people, and it would go through.

One week earlier

Tommy walked into the betting shop, his steps resonating over the wooden floor as he strode among the desks in the empty room. Empty, except for his aunt, who was waiting for him behind the main table.

“Here’s the information I found.” He said, tossing a folder on the wooden surface. Polly furrowed her eyebrows, grabbing it so that she could examine its content. It was full of photographs, letters and documents. God knew how Tommy had managed to get his hands on them.

“Go on.” She mumbled.

“Antonio Ferrante has two brothers, Vincenzo and Mario. They came to England when they were children, and they were raised here. Twenty-five years ago, Vincenzo and Mario went back to Sicily to start their business, both legal and illegal, while Antonio stayed here to carry on their legal race tracking operation. Of course, his organisation also has two sides. Vincenzo moves between Italy and England to help him with the other side. He’s here now. He’s been helping him with the attacks.”

Three attacks. Three attacks in one week. Tommy had never seen something like that. Those Italians were sly and quick, and extremely organised. They started by blowing up two of the pubs under the Peaky Blinders’ protection, then they proceeded to find one of their warehouses, and they blew it up as well. It was a matter of time before they came for the Shelbys.

Polly sighed, putting the papers back into the folder. Just when everything seemed to be going in the right direction, another bomb was dropped upon them. Quite literally.

Tommy rubbed his eyes, taking his time before continuing. ��Ferrante was cooperating with Kimber. Thanks to this alliance, the family had secured a place at the top of the betting business. By killing Billy Kimber…”

“We stepped on their toes.” Polly finished his sentence.

“And now they want revenge. Yesterday they took three of our men.” He sighed, leaning against the desk behind him. That was another thing he had to take care of. He had to write to their families, send his condolences, and open a fund for them so that they could manage to sustain themselves without their husbands, fathers and brothers to take the money home. It was unpleasant, but it had to be done.

“It’s the Italian Mafia we’re talking about.” Tommy spoke again. “They have an organisation of bigger dimensions. If Ferrante calls the rest of his relatives from Sicily, it’s over for us.”

“So what’s the plan?” She asked, taking a cigarette from the pocket of her apron before placing it between her lips.

“Antonio Ferrante only has sons,” He started to explain, taking a match to light his aunt’s cigarette. “But his brothers have daughters-”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Polly’s head shot in his direction, eyes wide with disbelief as she could already imagine what he was trying to say.

“I’m talking about marriage, Polly. I’m going to marry one of the girls.”

Tommy couldn’t even believe his words as he said them. Before Grace, marriage had never crossed his mind, and after she left for New York, he was quite sure he would never find another woman. But there he was, selling himself so that his family could survive.

Despite the initial shock, Polly quickly regained her composure. She took a long drag from her cigarette, pondering her nephew’s words. “Why would they accept your offer?”

“Because by joining our forces, we can take down Sabini.”

“Do you think they’ll go against their own?” She inquired, a hint of scepticism in her voice.

“The Italians are fighting among themselves, now. Ferrante is also at war with Sabini, and he can’t defeat him on his own. Once Sabini’s taken care of, we’ll grant the Ferrante family a good place at the top of the business, even better than the one they occupied with Kimber.”

As much as Tommy tried to sound confident, he couldn’t hide his agitation. He couldn’t estimate the odds, there were no chances, no percentages. Everything felt unpredictable and beyond his control. He turned to grab the bottle of whiskey from the desk and poured himself a glass under Polly’s stare. It felt like she could read into him, like she could see right into his brain and know each one of his thoughts. It had always been like that, since he was a kid. It bothered him, sometimes, but deep down it was a relief to know that there was someone who could understand him without needing him to speak.

He downed all the whiskey in his glass, relishing the burning sensation. It grounded him, in some way. “Today I’m meeting Antonio and Vincenzo Ferrante.” He said, placing the glass on the table with a thud. “I’ll make the terms for peace.”

“How did it go?”

Tommy heard Polly’s question before he could see her. As soon as he entered the kitchen, he was met with her expectant eyes, her gaze scanning his face, looking for an answer. She poured him a glass of whiskey as he removed his coat and placed it on a chair.

“They accepted.” He just said, grabbing the glass. Polly’s expression relaxed for a moment, and she breathed a sigh of relief, but that relief was swept away as she noticed how her nephew was avoiding her gaze.

She waited for him to continue, but her patience ran out quickly. “And?” She asked.

Tommy sat on a chair and took a sip of whiskey. “And I’m going to Sicily to meet my spouse.”

There was some kind of inflection in his voice, one that not even Polly was able to define. But there was also a small particular in what he had said, and it didn’t go unnoticed.

“You’re going to Sicily?” She inquired, raising her eyebrows.

“Yes.”

“Alone?” She emphasised, leaning with a hand on the table, not taking her eyes off of his face.

“Yes.” He repeated, keeping his eyes on the bottle in front of him, well aware of how dangerous and imprudent it sounded.

“Tommy, are you mad?” She yelled, yanking away the bottle so that he would look at her. He finally raised his eyes, and silence fell between them for a while as he tried to find the words.

“I need you here to take control of the business while I’m gone. You’re the only one who can do that.” He explained, standing up so that he could speak to her face to face. “And I can’t take John and Arthur with me, because there need to be Shelbys here in Small Heath.”

“You’re going to get yourself killed.” She spat.

Tommy placed his hands on her shoulders, the hint of a smile making its way on his face. “Think of it like this: if I don’t come back, all of this will be yours.” He pointed towards the door that opened on the betting shop. “You’ll make a good fortune.” He joked, trying to lighten the air.

However, his aunt didn’t seem amused. She just shook her head, a look of defeat in her eyes. “I could try and talk some sense into you, but you’ve already decided, haven’t you?”

Without answering, Tommy walked past her to take ahold his glass and drink the rest of his whiskey. He cleared his throat, gathering himself as best as he could. “Vincenzo Ferrante is going back to his family in three days. I’m going with him.”

Present day

The car drew to a halt. Beyond an iron gate stretched a large garden, which was divided in two halves by a gravel path that led up to two big houses. As the driver got out of the car to open the gates, Tommy couldn’t help but feel relieved. No empty field. No ditch waiting for him.

“I guess you’re hungry, Mr. Shelby. It’s been a long journey.” Vincenzo Ferrante suddenly spoke, taking him away from his thoughts. Before Tommy could answer, he continued. “Later we’re having lunch, and I’ll introduce you to the family. Communication won’t be a problem, me and Mario raised all of our children to speak both English and Italian, just like Antonio. For the sake of business.” He clarified.

Tommy just nodded, unsure about what to say. He half expected to be dead before even getting to the village, so communication had been the last of his thoughts.

Not caring much about his silence, Vincenzo pointed towards the house on the left. “That’s my house, and the other is my brother’s. You’ll be my guest. Since we’re suggesting you to marry my niece Agnese, we thought it would be improper for you to stay in the same house as her.”

Agnese. She was said to be the oldest, and the prettiest, and the most fitted to be a wife. However, they had assured him that if he were to find someone more to his liking, he would be free to choose, he just had to make the decision before starting to court her. They wanted things to be done the proper way.

Tommy leaned back in his seat, the need for a cigarette suddenly kicking in. “It’s understandable.”

The brief ride towards the houses was silent. In that short amount of time, Tommy tried to guess what the following weeks had in store for him, how his life would look like in a month, but truth was, he really couldn’t tell. He had no idea, and that was terrifying, even for someone like him. But he had to stay calm, focused. He couldn’t allow himself to let his guard down.

When he got out of the car, he had to keep himself from breathing a sigh of relief. He was finally able to stretch his legs after being seated for what felt like ages. He thanked the driver who handed him his suitcase, then proceeded to take a look around. The two houses - even though they were separated from each other - formed some sort of angle. In the shared garden a long table had been set up, and from the numbers of chairs Tommy could tell that a great number of relatives would be joining them for lunch.

“Papà!”

A female voice echoed in the garden, and a raven-haired girl ran down the stairs that led to the front door of Vincenzo’s house. In a matter of seconds she was in the garden, and she wrapped her arms around the man’s neck.

“Ciao, amore di papà.” Ferrante said, taking her face in his hands to leave a tender kiss on her forehead. “Come stai?”

She opened her mouth to say something, but was quickly distracted by Tommy’s presence. A glimpse of confusion flickered across her dark eyes, then something really close to realisation seemed to hit her.

Ferrante took a step back, so that Tommy and that girl could be in front of each other. “Nina, this is Tommy Shelby. Mr. Shelby, this is Nina, my daughter.”

Tommy watched as she furrowed her brows, hesitating for a couple of seconds before holding out her hand. Her eyes, that a few seconds before were warm and full of affection for her father, were now cold and wary. And there was something defiant in the way she refused to be the first to break eye contact. It was something that Tommy wasn’t used to, he had grown accustomed to people lowering their heads in his presence, not daring to even look at him. This girl clearly knew who he was, and yet she refused to be intimidated. It was quite admirable.

Soon, Tommy realised that he had probably let his hand linger in hers for a bit too long. He let it fall to his side, clearing his throat. “Pleasure.”

“Nina, why don’t you show our guest his room?” Ferrante suggested, placing a hand on his daughter’s shoulder. “So you make yourself comfortable before lunch, Mr. Shelby.”

She said something in Italian, and even though Tommy couldn’t understand a single word, from the tone of her voice and her disgruntled expression he could tell that she was displeased. Nevertheless, a reproachful “Nina” uttered by her father, accompanied by a stern look, seemed to do the trick.

She glanced at Tommy one more time, before turning around and starting to walk towards the house. “Come with me.” She said, without worrying about whether he was following her or not.

Tightening his hold on the suitcase, Tommy started to walk behind her. If Nina’s cousin was half as hostile as her, he was truly fucked.

“Ciao, amore di papà”: “hi, darling” (literally - “hi, dad’s love”)

“Come stai?”: “how are you?”

NEXT PART

Tagging @zablife , cause I remember you asking me to tag you when this was out🤍

[solcattus]

Sicilian landscape

By Max Friedrich Rabes

[salantami]

Borgo Parrini is a beautiful artistic village,Italy

Nestled amidst the rolling hills and picturesque landscapes of Sicily, Borgo Parrini stands as a testament to the rich tapestry of Italian history and culture. Located in the province of Palermo, this quaint village embodies the timeless allure of Sicilian life, offering visitors a glimpse into its storied past and vibrant present.

Borgo Parrini is a charming, Gaudì-esque town filled with painted houses & cobblestone streets, reminiscent of Barcelona. By the 1970s, the town was virtually abandoned. In an attempt to revive the town, local resident Giuseppe Gaglio decided to spearhead this project.

[o-craven-canto]

Archaean landscape

Cambrian seafloor with trilobites and jellyfish

The giant placoderm Dunkleosteus, hunting (look how watery that seafloor is, I love it)

Storm blowing through a Carboniferous forest

The early marine reptile Mesosaurus

The primitive ichthyosaur Mixosaurus

Triceratops grazing (beautiful, but a tad outdated reconstructions!)

Mosasaurus -- the reconstruction is a bit more croc-like than it should, but that water! That motion!

The rhinoceros-kin Metamynodon, wallowing

The early ape Dryopithecus

The great Eurasian forest during the Quaternary Ice Age

The Sicilian dwarf elephant Palaeoloxodon falconeri

The South American sabertooth cat Smilodon

A hominid identified as Homo heidelbergensis (I would imagine it a bit more human-like)

Woolly mammoths, Mammuthus primigenius, digging for grass through the snow

Hunting Megaloceros

Making the Venus of Dolní Věstonice, about 27,000 years ago

* * *

Paleoart by the Czech painter Zdenek Burian (probably mostly painted between 1950 and 1975?), published in Zdeněk V. Špinar, Zdeněk Burian, Life Before Man, 1983

[shefanispeculator]

Italy Yacht Charter Guide

Italy offers art, food and fine wine in spades, but there is so much more to see in this beautiful country, particularly when sailing along the stunning Italian coastline. Travelling the Amalfi coast by luxury yacht offers picturesque coves, clear waters, and incomparable views of the region’s landscape and charming harbors, such as the colorful Positano.

The nearby island of Capri is a shopper’s paradise, and for indulgent relaxation, Ischia’s thermal spas are unmatched. Beyond the Amalfi, discover the rugged Sicilian coastline, the chain of islands in the Tuscan archipelago, the volcanic Aeolian Isles, picturesque Sicily and the jewel of the Italian Rivieria, the Cinque Terre.

According to mythology, the Tuscan isles - Elba, Gorgona, Capraia, Giannutri, Giglio, Montecristo, and Pianosa – were formed when Venus rose from the waters and dropped seven pearls from her necklace into the sea. Since obtaining protected status in 1986, the marine life in the archipelago’s national park has flourished, making this an unmissable sailing destination

Sardinia is a true yachting haven, with intense, turquoise waters renowned for their sparkling clarity. Boasting a plethora of secluded coves, gleaming white beaches, gorgeous coastal villages, and rugged scenery, this is an island best discovered from the water.

As you approach the large island of Sicily by sea, your view is dominated by the imposing Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe. Sailing north of the island into the Tyrrhenian sea brings you to the Aeolian archipelago.

Consisting of seven main islands and a host of smaller islets, the volcanic Aeolian archipelago takes its name from Aeolus, the Greek god of the wind. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000, this diverse region has a stark volcanic beauty. Active volcanoes with smoking craters, thermal pools, towering rock formations, and black sand beaches make for a unique Italian island-hopping experience.

[paramedicabroad]

Arab-Norman Palermo & the Cathedral Churches of Cefalu & Monreale

Join me on a virtual journey through the UNESCO World Heritage site of Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalù and Monreale in Sicily, Italy. Let's delve into a landscape where Islamic, Norman, and Byzantine influences converge to create a tapestry of architectural marvels. From the bustling streets of Palermo to the serene settings of Cefalù and Monreale, Sicily's Arab-Norman heritage invites you to explore a rich fusion of cultures.

In 2015, the Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalù and Monreale were collectively inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This recognition celebrates the unique synthesis of cultures and architectural styles that flourished during this remarkable period in Sicilian history.

Wander through the streets of Palermo, a city where Arab, Norman, and Byzantine influences intertwine. Explore the vibrant markets, like the Ballarò and Vucciria, where echoes of diverse cultural heritages resonate through the bustling alleys.

Discover the Arab-Norman architectural wonders of Palermo, exemplified by the Palatine Chapel within the Palazzo dei Normanni. Admire the intricate mosaics, horseshoe arches, and ornate ceilings that showcase the synthesis of Islamic and Norman artistic styles.

Embark on a journey to Cefalù and marvel at its cathedral, a testament to Norman grandeur. The Cathedral of Cefalù stands proudly against the backdrop of the Tyrrhenian Sea, its facades adorned with Byzantine-influenced mosaics depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments.

Ascend to the heights of Monreale to witness the grandeur of its cathedral. The Cathedral of Monreale, with its golden mosaics and awe-inspiring interior, seamlessly blends Norman, Arab, and Byzantine elements. The cloister, adorned with intricate columns and arches, serves as a serene retreat within this architectural masterpiece.

Admire the intricate mosaics that adorn the cathedrals of Cefalù and Monreale. These masterpieces, characterized by their vibrant colors and meticulous craftsmanship, narrate stories of religious significance, historical events, and cultural exchanges.

Explore how the Arab-Norman legacy continues to shape Sicily's cultural landscape today. Festivals, events, and ongoing preservation efforts ensure that these architectural treasures remain not just relics of the past but vibrant contributors to the region's dynamic identity.

In conclusion, Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalù and Monreale invite us to witness the fusion of civilizations that occurred in the heart of Sicily. When you're ready for a digital immersion into the cultural crossroads of the Mediterranean, these sites promise to captivate and transport you to a time of harmonious diversity. 🕌🏰✨🇮🇹

[ivenothingtosaybutillsayitanyway]

about that accent post, what does a roman accent sound like vs other italian regional accents?

I love languages and over-explain stuff so this might get long... I'm sorry about that.

Italy has an incredibly diverse language landscape, because it wasn't a country until 160ish years ago, multiple different languages evolved from Latin at the same time.

So for example Sardinian, Sicilian, Friulian and Neapolitan are languages and "cousins" of modern Italian (which comes from Tuscan), they have their own grammar rules and worlds that aren't similar to their Italian translation. They aren't mutually intelligible with each other or with Italian.

It's very interesting because history plays a role on how the language was formed, so while the base is always Latin depending with whom that place had more contact (basically either who invaded us or who we invaded) you can see words popping up in that dialect that come from another language. So there is a little bit more Arabic infused in Sicilian, Greek in Apulian, Sloven in Friulian etc.

So while Roman is not a language but a dialect we do have more words that come from liturgical Latin and French.

The main difference with Roman I'd say is the attitude, like we live in the capital, we have places to go, traffic to be stuck in we do not have time to pronounce every letter.

An example:

eng: "I don't want to go there"

ita: "(io) non ci voglio andare"

rom: "n'ce vojo anna"

here you can see a few of the things that are very common in the Roman dialect, the first is that the infinitive forms of Italian verbs always end in -re (or better they end either in -are, -ere or -ire) a Roman will almost never pronounce the -re andare -> anna' (to go)

giocare -> gioca' (to play)

piovere -> piove' (to rain)

dormire -> dormi' (to sleep)

In the case of andare we also "semplify" the d and just add another n to the sound. That is also very common.

Another sound that is peculiar of the roman dialect is the consonantic i which we tend to write as a j just as they would do in Latin (up to a certain point) but that has become a GLI (similar sound but not exactly the same) in Italian.

Yugoslavia is Jugoslavia in Italian, but it is pronounced the same exact way. In most other words the consonantic i sound is written as either I (es ieri, yesterday) or GLI.

fun fact, I cannot for the life of me properly pronounce the GL and it's the thing that usually clues people in on the fact that I am from Rome. So voglio becomes vojo. Other features include:

putting double consonants were there are none:

sedia -> sssedia (chair)

numero -> nummero (number)

only pronouncing one consonant were it should be a double:

terra -> tera (earth)

changing Ls into Rs when they are followed by a consonant:

albero -> arbero (tree)

changing Is into Es

ci -> ce (it can mean so many things, in the example I gave before it was "there")

using "ao" to mean everything from "hello" to "what are you thinking" to "are we going to have a problem"

There are so many more examples and subtle differences and I could keep talking about it for hours but I feel like this is enough for now, let me know if you have questions :)

[randomvarious]

Today’s compilation:

Grammy Nominees 2000 2000 Pop / Latin Pop / Teen Pop / R&B

I think it's genuinely funny to look back on albums like these and to see some of the songs and names that the Recording Academy deemed worthy of nominating for some of the Grammys' most coveted categories: "Livin' la vida loca" for Record of the Year? Kid Rock for Best New Artist, even though he'd already put out three albums prior (and is also really bad)? Lou Bega for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, and in the same category as Andrea Bocelli? 😂 What are we even doing here, folks? What's next, a Marvel movie getting nominated for Best Picture? 😳

Anyway, regardless of some of these choices, it's always fun to take a trip down memory lane, get a bit of that nostalgia rush, and re-evaluate some of these hits that were completely inescapable two-plus decades ago.

And I think my biggest takeaway here is that, even though I still can’t help but love most of its dopey songs, the US' Latin pop boom at the turn of the millennium was, for the most part, pretty objectively terrible. "Livin' la vida loca" is pure maximalist cringe, with its "skin's the color mocha" lyric possibly being the worst line ever written in the history of pop music. And its absurd James Bond guitar motif will also never not be funny to me. Amazing to remember that people unironically enjoyed this song at one point. Like, imagine going to a normal bar at peak hours on a Saturday night in 1999 and this song comes on, and people start going nuts for it? What a time to be alive.

And same goes for "Mambo No. 5," another incredible Latin pop inanity that also happened to mesh well with that whole swing revival thing that bands like the Brian Setzer Orchestra and the Cherry Poppin' Daddies (that fucking name, man) were somehow getting away with at the same exact time. God, what musical horrors this time period wrought. And Lou Bega's not even Latin, either, by the way. He's a German native who's of Sicilian and Ugandan descent. And still, he made one of the biggest Latin pop hits of all time. Go figure.

And then there's Santana's "Smooth," which isn't actually an *awful* song on its own—at least not to nearly the same extent as those other two—but it's managed to reach such an extreme level of saturation over the years that I think it's now achieved a meme status that's akin to "All Star." I mean, that opening bar hits and you just chuckle at the utter absurdity of this song's existence at this point, right? But I actually learned a couple interesting facts about it today. One is that the guy who produced Matchbox Twenty's debut album also produced this song, and the other is that, originally, it was given to Rob Thomas in its preliminary stages, so he could work on it and then someone else could end up singing the final product, but Santana just decided that Thomas should provide the lead vocals anyway. And Thomas actually had someone like George Michael in mind instead, so try to imagine what that would've sounded like 😯.

But I swear to you all that I'm not actually an insufferably stuffy despiser of all 90s pop; I love some of the music on here. "...Baby One More Time" and that whole Swedish-produced teen pop craze has really grown on me over the years. Producer Max Martin was a total pop production genius back then and that Britney Spears debut single was one of his finest works. It has such an excellently lush final push and the song itself legitimately changed the pop music landscape forever. But I also can't help but notice some of the similarities between it and another less remembered co-production of Martin's that he did in '97 for Robyn called "Show Me Love" (not to be confused with the all-time diva house hit, "Show Me Love" by Robin S.) .

By the way, wanna see quite possibly the wrongest anyone's ever been about anything, ever? Read the following sentence from the Wikipedia article for "...Baby One More Time." The level of lack of foresight is off the fucking charts!

Given what we know now, it's crazy to think how multiple people at the top of the industry could've missed this mark by so goddamn much, but they did. And maybe, had "...Baby One More Time" never been made, they might've actually been right. But as it turns out, they were the complete opposite of that.

Overall, this is a fun album for channeling more innocent times and enjoying some of the pure pop goofiness of 1999, but the idea that some of these songs ever got nominated for anything other than the musical equivalent of a Razzie by an “authoritative” institution is pretty funny in and of itself and it also reveals what an unserious organization the Recording Academy really became at some point. Like, I can't imagine, at any time, thinking that a song like "Livin' la vida loca" ever exuded any kind of level of excellence, but I'd also very much like to meet the people who did!

Highlights:

Backstreet Boys - "I Want It That Way" Ricky Martin - "Livn' la vida loca" Santana - "Smooth" TLC - "No Scrubs" Christina Aguilera - "Genie in a Bottle" Macy Gray - "Do Something" Kid Rock - "Bawitdaba" Britney Spears - "...Baby One More Time" Marc Anthony - "I Need to Know" Lou Bega - "Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit Of...)" Sting - "Brand New Day"

[capozafferano]

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Area Marina protetta di Capo Zafferano

[sapphosrose]

The landscape was tinted with rich and variegated hues; and the autumnal lights, which streamed upon the hills, produced a spirited and beautiful effect upon the scenery. All the glories of the vintage rose to their view: the purple grapes flushed through the dark green of the surrounding foliage, and the prospect glowed with luxuriance.

Ann Radcliffe, A Sicilian Romance

[thecheekychef]

MAY 21-29, 2023 Sicily: A Different Italy

Sicily: A Different Italy

May 21-29, 2023

PALERMO > REGALEALI > RAGUSA > MODICA > NOTO > ORTIGIA

with Peggy Markel and Linda Sarris

"Strong and elemental, Sicily retains an unconquered character and romantic spirit, and you can taste it in her food. Greek ruins dot the landscape. Arabian eggplants, lemons, saffron and nutmeg thrive in rich volcanic soil. Local artisans hand-make chocolates and cheeses. Sicilian dishes draw on history but abound with independent ideas and innovative interpretations that stand apart from the cuisine of mainland Italy."

I would like to introduce you to my good friend Chef Linda Sarris who I have invited to join me again. Her love of Sicily is as deep as mine and her knowledge increases daily by living in Palermo over the Ballarò market.

Together, we will coil our way across this dramatic region from Palermo’s rowdy ancient markets, through the lesser-known entroterra, to Baroque Modica and the picturesque historic center of Siracusa on the island of Ortigia. We’ve added in a few special treats this spring by extending the program by one day to include a chocolate class in Modica and two additional hands-on cooking lessons! We’ll take walks through the countryside, taste noble wines from famous vineyards, enter private kitchens, gentle olive groves and gardens bursting with flavor.

As we cross the island, Sicily reveals her secrets to us.

BOOKING IS NOW OPEN:

Double: $7,175 per person | Single supplement: + $1,175

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Peggy Markel’s Culinary Adventures

WHO WE ARE

Peggy Markel’s Culinary Adventures delivers personalized, educational, hands-on travel experiences that feed the soul. With a perpetual curiosity and reverence for the rich tapestry created by food and culture, Peggy Markel has designed and directed carefully hand-crafted food and culture trips around the world for 25 years. She is a pioneer not only in culinary travel, but was instrumental in bringing Slow Food to America and championing the farm to table movement as early as 1993.

WHAT WE DO

With each handcrafted experience, Peggy creates a container that allows her guests to relax immediately and drop beneath the surface. Good choices, deep relationships and loyalty have their benefits. It’s like traveling with a friend of a friend: someone you don’t know, but you feel like you do.

All of our trips are food-focused. Each itinerary is designed for immersion. But it’s not all about food. It’s about the art of living. We are the real deal and consider your experience and care paramount. Programs are built on long-term relationships, handpicked properties and carefully crafted itineraries.

The Cheeky Chef: Linda Sarris

WHO SHE IS

Linda Sarris was raised in a big Greek-American family with a Chef grandfather and a fisherman Dad. After studying at the French Culinary Institute and working a few stints in restaurant kitchens, Linda took off to sharpen her culinary skills in her own adventurous way - by working on a farm-to-table cooking school and wine estate in Sicily, spending two summers private-cheffing in Tuscany, consulting for restaurants in Romania and Colombia, and traveling for songwriting camps in Italy and France.

WHAT SHE DOES

Linda is a food/wine travel consultant and private chef based in Palermo. From her sun-lit studio kitchen above the 1,000-year-old Ballarò market, she works as a freelance writer and culinary communications consultant; while still traveling regularly for private chef work with clients in the fashion/music industries. Known best as The Cheeky Chef, Linda curates a series of culinary retreats, personalized travel itineraries, private sailing adventures, and chef-led market tours/tastings in Palermo. She is currently writing her second travel book with Hachette Book Group and will be self-publishing an ingredient-focused mini’zine shortly after.