When we come to Taormina, it is like coming home.  For one, Frank just fits in here like it is a second skin – somehow local Sicilians recognize that he is Sicilian and go out of their way to talk to him in Sicialian dialect, which he understands and remembers from childhood.  He is at peace here.

And we also have been here at least 6 or 7 times (we have lost count) – to this very same apartment. 

We first came to this apartment as newlyweds right after our wedding and have hosted the whole Sicilian family here at one time of the other, as well as grandkids from back home.  We have a lot of memories within these walls. 

And every time, we have a fabulous greeter, Ann, a British transplant who smooths the way and helps us navigate tricky questions, which probably differ from her normal guests –

• how to arrange a car to see the family in Canicatti,
• what kind of gift to bring to Easter,
• where to make dinner reservations for 20 Sicilians who come to visit us. 

She has been part of our journey, too.  (We hope she will visit us in the States someday!)

So when we come to Taormina now, we don’t rush out to see the sights. 

We settle in and enjoy the beauty of the sea from our rooftop.

We go back to the same restaurants where the owner remembers us.

We find our favorite table at Wunderbar and go almost every night to watch the world go by. 

This is our Taormina.

P.S. If I win the lottery, I am buying this apartment.  We have met the owner several times and I’ve told him so.  Frank and I can host limoncello or olive oil tastings on the roof as a cruise ship excursion to help pay for it, with guest appearances by Frank’s cousin, Enza (if you’ve met her, you know how entertaining she is!).  I have it all planned out . . . .  : )