I learned to read when I was four. The first book I read was "Santa's Diary." I read it on a family holiday trip to Lapland.
After I learned to read, I also learned to write. Both have been significant interests of mine ever since.
I traveled abroad for the first time around the same time as I learned to read. My grandparents spent the winters in Spain, in the Canary Islands, so I visited them there.
I was in my teens when I took my first independent trip with a friend. We traveled by boat and train to Prague, in the Czech Republic, which had just liberated itself from Soviet rule. It was a wonderful experience, and I also felt the world opening up inside me.
Later trips took me to Europe, North Africa, the Far East, and Central America.
When I met my wife, we started traveling to Italy yearly. At first, we visited places in northern Italy, but later, we also began to see the country's southern parts.
At this stage, I knew little about Sicily, mostly what I had learned from the Godfather movies. (Meaning: not much.) Eventually, we ended up there, too, and liked the place.
I had just started studying creative writing and then studied literature at university.
Because of my stint in history, I became familiar with European history and ancient culture, contributing to my enthusiasm for Italy.
Later, when I started learning about website design, Sicily was the obvious choice.
The result is this website. It is a constantly evolving project that grows as I learn more about my subject. And the more I know, the more new things there are to explore.
Of course, this site also gives me a good reason to return to the beautiful island of Sicily, whose history and present are as multidimensional as its different landscapes.
Although I still travel elsewhere, Sicily has become a place I return to regularly. At the same time, it remains forever a mystery.
And that's good. There is no end to the wonders of this island.
This website is part of my attempt to understand Sicily and its culture better. It is an expedition that I share with you.
I hope you enjoy the site and that it also increases your interest in Sicily.
If you find errors on my site, please feel free to correct them. Also, if something needs to be added, some things you would like to know more about, please let me know.
You can also write about your experiences with Sicily. If you want them to be published, remember to add some photos!
The email address is at the bottom of every page.
(Last edited: September 11, 2024)
Dec 10, 24 04:38 AM
Dec 09, 24 05:20 AM
Dec 07, 24 04:43 AM
Follow MANY FACES OF SICILY on Bluesky & Pinterest
Contact: vesa@manyfacesofsicily.com