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<\/a>On the Bus to Trapani<\/p><\/div>\n
Getting on the bus is one step closer to touching my heritage from the past. The ride is about three and a half hours as we drive along the southern coast of Sicily before turning North towards Trapani. We arrive pretty much on time and then the hunt for our new home begins. We locate the first street that we need and then turn on what should be the next one. Street signs disappear in this area. Most of the time, at the corners you can see the name of the streets on the buildings, but it seems that they may have been removed here. We find another main street that is marked and then guess on where to turn off of it. We wander along a few backstreet alleys and then guess again as to whether we are on the right block and just start watching address numbers. Then, there it is number 18 and a sign for San Pietro Vacanze. We ring the bell and Michele opens the door and greets us. He is very nice and tells us the room is not ready but we can leave our bags there and it should be clean in about 45 minutes. We are early so tell him it is no problem and to take his time we will explore, have a bite to eat, and then return. I need to mention that his English is very good so that just makes things easier. He lived in America for two years and I tell him that my roots are here so it is a special place in my heart.
\nAfter being given a map and shown where the historical center is, we head out to get a feel for where my ancestors lived. The old town is literally outside our door step and we find ourselves on the main drag in no time.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Friendly Server<\/p><\/div>\n
A place advertising street food is full of Italians so that is a sign that we should check it out. We order a Panelle panino and an arrancini as well as a beer and water. Sets us back 6 Euros. Panelle is a local food that is made from chickpea flour and then fried in triangle shapes, put in a bun with a little salt, pepper, and lime. It is excellent and so is the arrancini with meat sauce. Having taken care of our hunger, we walk a few blocks and come to the sea. It is quite breezy today and the waves are crashing as we just absorb the surroundings. We figure our room should be ready now, so we go back to the apartment. Michele is very nice telling us about places to eat, what is around, etc. Then he takes us up to our room.<\/p>\n
<\/a>What a Smile<\/p><\/div>\n
We had booked a studio apartment, but he has decided to upgrade us, his decision, he says.
\nWe now have a four room apartment and Carol is really happy. She is not happy because of the rooms but because there is a washing machine. Four days of no hand washing.
\nIt is only about 1430 and even though it is very windy out, I want to walk around and get a feel for the town my nana came from. We wander a bit and then walk along the sea wall. The waves are crashing against the rocks and walls. Looks more like an ocean than a sea. We check out a couple of restaurant menus along the way and one on our list appeals to us. It has cous cous con Pesce. My nana used to make a dish called cuscusu. No other Italians I knew made this dish or even heard of it. She would spend all day cooking the fish and broth and steaming semolina over it. It was a big occasion when she made it and is a dish that is so very tasty, yet hard to describe. When I was researching Trapani, I discovered that they make it here. Not only that but it is the local specialty and is not made elsewhere in Sicily. It brings my roots and my Nana’s spirit closer to me. This restaurant is where hopefully I can try the dish again.
\nWe continue walking past a rocky beach with some intrepid Italians braving the wind.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Crashing Waves<\/p><\/div>\n
No one dares go in the rough sea but they are lying around. Then we come to the lighthouse tower at the end of the spit that this part of Trapani sits on. Since this is the older town, I feel that my grandmother probably lived somewhere in this area. The more modern part of Trapani extends away from the isthmus of land that we are on.
\nWe take a different route back to our apartment and settle in for the afternoon.
\nDinner time arrives and we head out wanting to arrive at the restaurant near their opening time. Often we manage to get a table if we show up this way. If you wait sometimes even a half hour after opening, you can not get a seat because of reservations. The main tourist season is over and we are not sure if seating is still a problem or not but I really want to eat at La Tramontana as it got really good reviews. We pass the Church of San Lorenzo along the way and since it is open we check it out. I say a prayer for my grandmother and my father hoping somehow that they are watching me and smiling.
\nWe arrive at the restaurant and the outdoor area is protected from the wind by plastic and when we are seated, there is no one else in the place.<\/p>\n