Carnivale!

Ciao a tutti!

A couple updates for you all...

Three days ago we learned how to prune olive trees!  I think it is safe to say that this has been Maggie and I's favortie job thus far.  At first we were a little hesitant not having a clue what we were doing but after a quick lesson we felt like naturals.  There are two types of branches on olive trees and can be catagorized into male and female.  Female branches hang towards the ground and are the only branches that produce olives, while the male braches stick, more or less, straight up into the air. They are to be pruned because they don't produce any olives and keep the sun from reaching the female branches.  Although there is a delicate balance because you do not want too much sun to get through to the female branches as it will burn the leaves and kill them. 

Pruning is actually relaxing and takes me back to my childhood tree climbing days!  We use old wooden ladders that date back generations just like you see in the movies, and once in the tree you can climb to the tiptop for a fantastic view of the continuously steaming Mt. Etna.  And to put a cherry on top, the weather has been pretty great. 

In our spare time Maggie and I have been going down to the river, just a few minutes walk from our house, and collecting really neat old tiles and stones that we plan to bring back with us.  It is amazing what Italians throw away.  I am sure we look like a couple of looney Americanas scavaging around but they are too beautiful to pass up! 

Another fun fact we have learned is the ever famous film, The Godfather, was filmed throughout Piedimonte and Fiumefreddo, and at a beautiful villa that we pass on our way to town.  Apparently the director tried to film elsewhere in Sicilia, the most famous city for Italian mafia, but was approached by the actual mafia for some dough for permission to film.  Hence the reason they ended up filming here. 

Tonight we are attending a carnivale party. Costume mandatory.  And yes, they are homemade by yours truly.  We are pretty proud.  You have to wait for pictures to see what we dressed up as. 

Another noteworthy piece of information: I ate anchovies in my dinner last night.  Aren't you proud 'ma? 

It looks like we are going to be heading back to Sicignano for four or five days to help Gianpalo prune grapes before we head north to Livorno.  We are both excited to be back in familar territory.  That is all from now.  News from Maggie to follow about the carnivale and happenings!

Love from Sicilia,

C & M