Our new home

This is the view of the front of our new home. Fairly large, with way too many steps.

Master bedroom

Our street



View from one of the terraces in back

Back view...notice Lilly on the top terrace

Caltagirone

Matt, Jordan and I made a day trip to a really charming city about an hour away from base. The main attraction was the fantastic flight of 142 steps (see Jordan at the base). The steps are volcanic stone with beautiful colored tiles. Each side of the staircase is lined with stores, restaurants and the like. The town is known for its beautiful ceramic work.

We also visited the Duomo not far from

the stairs.

The walls were old but well kept.

Matt felt the need to hold this one up.

Aci Reale

We visited the city of Aci Reale our first week here. This is a photo of the piazza, which was quite large. The Duomo nearby was breathtaking.We walked around until we found a path down to the waterfront. On our way, a man shouted to us to come to his villa, ( an older gentleman who was probably lonely, and wanted to share his garden with anyone who might be interested). Normally, it might be ill-advised to go into a stranger's garden gate, but we are in Italy, so why not? He did not speak a word of English, but managed to communicate anyway. He showed us his fruit trees, gave us a lemon, bananas, a peach, and then asked us to come back on Sabato, (Saturday). We did not return, and I wonder if he waited for us.

Sicilia update

We have had a very busy week. We found a home! Our villa is near a town called Paterno, a large, gritty, real sicilian town with much to explore. The villa is large by sicilian standards, four bedrooms and a finished basement, three and a half baths. It is technically a condo/townhouse, as it is attached on one side to another villa. The yard is very small, which seems to be expected here in sicily. However, there are grapevines, palm trees, a lemon tree and a pomegranate tree. We have a spectracular view of Mount Etna and the countryside from several of the terraces. I will attach photos after we move in.
On Sunday we all packed into the small fiat we have rented, and headed towards Taormina for a day at the beach. The water was cool and clear and a good time was had by all. The kids were quick to point out the first topless sunbather we have witnessed. We are not in Kansas anymore.

The photos are all from Taormina, Sicily's most famous tourist town. It is very beautiful and clean with the most impressive views. The greek theatre was so impressive, they hold concerts and events troughout the year.

A day Trip to Syracuse

We have arrived!

We have arrived and are settling into life in Sicily. We are currently staying in the Navy Lodge, but are looking for a villa daily. The kids are enjoying the base, movie theatre, gym, pool, exchange, all very nice facilities. We have rented two cars, and have done a little exploring. I am going to attach the first round of photos from our adventures. We love and miss you all, and can't wait for our first visitors.