Sicily: Tourist Day

Today was so hot I asked Christopher if he'd like to go for a drive in our air conditioned car. He was totally game. I had a sort of plan, thinking we'd drive into the interior seeking cooler temperatures. Instead as we drove through Castellemare we happened on a street market. I don't know how these folks can make a living. In Canada their niche is filled by Walmart...

Next we drove along the coast towards Scopello and I spied some baskets at a roadside pull out and demanded that we stop! Not only were there fabulous baskets, but also carved olive wood objects. We spent some money - although not as much as you would think. There is something to be said for doing the tourist route.

Off to Scopello for lunch. We'd been there a few times before for the pane cunzatu (a sort of sandwich with fresh bread, fresh cheese, oregano, tomato, anchovies and olive oil toasted). Today it was jam packed. We were offered a shady table by a lovely Aussi couple from Melbourne who joked with us about the heat. Scopello is a charming small town with classic Mediterranean sea views and a fountain constantly burbling with fresh mountain water. At the spring we met Lenoardo who sold us some of his farm's olive oil, honey and oregano. The honey is spectacular, as is the olive oil. At a little boutique I got some lovely earings, and at another a sweet little jug.