Be sure to click on the links on any page:
After writing my story and trying to remember the stories I was told. I turned to the internet to seek images that were in my mind, so below is as close of a representation I can give without actually ever being there.
Through the magic of the internet and u-tube we can visit any place in the world via our computer. Here is such a journey. Sights and sounds are included as well as being able to listen to the Sicilian Language as I knew it.
The clips were found on line and without interpretation used for the reader to interject their own conclusions from watching them. From ties to Tampa, to celebrations of Saints to visions of water and the gulf so to speak and Christmas time. It only shows that we are not so different now than people were back then. Traditions have continued, the places have grown, but overall much can be told by viewing the scenery and footage. The scenery was shown to give a perceptive as to a different time as well as modern times.
Each link will take you to a u-tube link and use the back left arrow to return to continue to the next viewing.
You will need to be connected to the internet in order to view the links presented in this page. Many of the videos are brought to you by u–tube so you may have to listen or ignore the commercials.
Porto Santo Stefano (Porto Santo Stefano is a seaport town on the west coast of Italy, in the municipality of Monte Argentario, in the Province of Grosseto).
Because of the increased exposure to pirate raids, the center had low priority during the rule of Aldobrandeschi and of the Republic of Siena, but with its entry into the State of Presidi in the mid-16th century, the town became a center of great importance in Argentario. It was during this the construction of the Spanish Fort began, a powerful defensive structure that now hosts a permanent exhibition “Submerged Memories”. Like all other centers in the area, Porto Santo Stefano joined the Grand Duchy of Tuscany in the first half of the 19th century. Besides the fortress, the territory still plays host to two Spanish lookout towers; Lividonia and dell’Argentiera, the latter situated on the slopes of Mount Argentario which dominates the whole Santo Stefano area.
St. Stevens Church – (Video of the Church and some background).
Natale 2013 a Palermo – (Every year in the period before December 25th the historic center of Palermo fills with twinkling lights that transmit to us and Palermo for tourists visiting the true spirit of Christmas.)
In Italian: Ogni anno nel periodo che precede il 25 dicembre il centro storico di Palermo si riempe di luci scintillanti che trasmettono a noi palermitani e ai turisti in visita il vero spirito del Natale.
Palermo – Palermo is Sicily’s cultural, economic and touristic capital. It is a city rich in history, culture, art, music and food. Numerous tourists are attracted to the city for its good Mediterranean weather, its renowned gastronomy and restaurants, its Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque churches, palaces and buildings, and its nightlife and music. Palermo is the main Sicilian industrial and commercial center: the main industrial sectors include tourism, services, commerce and agriculture. Palermo currently has an international airport, and a significant underground economy. In fact, for cultural, artistic and economic reasons, Palermo was one of the largest cities in the Mediterranean and is now among the top tourist destinations in both Italy and Europe. The city is also going through careful redevelopment, preparing to become one of the major cities of the Euro-Mediterranean area.
Christmas Run a Palermo. 25/12/2013 Natale di corsa (Christmas Rush)
People hiking the mountain area of Santo Stefano Quisquina
(The first agricultural fair and craft of Santo Stefano di Quisquina.)
In Italian: “Santo Stefano di Quisquina fiera agricola e artigianale”
(The traditional celebration of Thursday and Good Friday in Santo Stefano Quisquina also known as Holy Week.)
In Italian: La tradizionale celebrazione del Giovedì e Venerdì Santo a Santo Stefano Quisquina
(An oasis in the mountains Sicans: Stephen Quisquina)
In Italian: “Un’oasi tra i monti Sicani: Santo Stefano Quisquina”
(Hermitage of Santa Rosalia to Quisquina – Santo Stefano di Quisquina) – July 14, 2013 – filming and editing made by Salvatore Favata
In Italian: Eremo di Santa Rosalia alla Quisquina – Santo Stefano di Quisquina – 14 luglio 2013 – riprese e montaggio realizzato da Salvatore Favata
View from Ponte alla Carraia Florence Italy (This is the bridge from which I have the post card from Nonno and is shown in the book).
Overview of Sicily: The beautiful island with 3000 years of cultural heritage and unbelievably varied and beautiful. The largest island of the Mediterranean fascinates its visitors by its diversity. The landscape attracts the traveler where the nature is so generous, where citruses, almonds and fig trees bloom and where vegetables, corn and fruit of all kinds is of such a high quality, Sicily offers luxurious and imaginative menus of typical dishes and product that cannot be compared to any other region.
This page along with the previous chapter was presented to give you a perceptive of how I thought this area of the world looked from memories and stories that were told to me. Of course it is only in my imagination and the videos do not tell what the real story was like but used to display what I thought was a world lived for part of their lives by Nonno and Nonna. One day my wish is that I will be able along with family members to visit that area and see the sights for myself.
Many of the stories and pictures were brought to life via u-tube and I hope this gives you a sense of where part of us came from.
I hope by now you are understanding parts of my Prelude and some of the other writings I have done although many times may not be clear to the reader. Here is an excerpt from the Prelude which may have more meaning to you now.
Danny