Love Thursday: Nurturing My Travel Lovebug

Soon I will be off on a journey to an island not so far away to spend some time in one of the cities I have been absolutely dying to visit since I moved to this part of the world.

Various circumstances beyond my control have gotten in the way of a trip up until now, but not any more. I’ve got my travel buddy and my travel guide and I’m about to nurture my travel lovebug, who has been neglected for far too long.

[Note to anyone thinking of showing up in my hilltop village and burgling me: you will still have P and the pooches to deal with.]

What? You haven’t figured out where I’m going?

Does this look familiar?

Teatro Massimo in Palermo by vic15 on Flickr

If you’re a fan of Il Padrino a.k.a. The Godfather, and you made it to the end of the third installment, you should recognize this building.

I’m not going to lie to you. I’ve had visions of my re-enacting that fateful scene (what, people run the Rocky steps in Philly all the time!), but when I told P I planned to bring ketchup to make it more realistic, he didn’t seem to think that’d go over well. Go figure.

You think it’s too late to call up Andy Garcia to save me from embarrassment?

Andy Garcia as Vinnie Mancini-Corleone in The Godfather III

*le sigh*

Happy Love Thursday and Happy Trails!

P.S. I won’t be touching a computer for the next several days, so please be patient regarding responses to comments and emails. I’ve planned some posts in advance for you, though, so keep coming by the blog so she won’t get lonely!

—————

[tags] palermo, sicily, love thursday, the godfather, il padrino, andy garcia, le sigh[/tags]

36 Beans of Wisdom to “Love Thursday: Nurturing My Travel Lovebug”
  1. Carole D.
    02.21.2008

    Ciao Michelle,
    I’m so envious that you’re going to Palermo.
    I wish I was there to meet you and Cherrye.

    Have fun and be careful.

    Wish you could’ve been there too Carole; it was so wonderful!

  2. 02.21.2008

    Sounds way fun. I can totally relate to the travel bug and not enough of it, so enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.

    Pasticcera’s last blog post..“Lâ Calhëtta dë Prâl” a Valdesian Soup

    Annoying when you can’t fulfill the travelbug’s lust isn’t it? “Enjoy” was definitely the theme 😉

  3. Gil
    02.21.2008

    Have a good trip. I’m sure you’ll see more of the city than we did as we only had time to catch the ferry to Napoli after spending too much time sightseeing on the way to Palermo.

    Gil we saw a good bit for our day and maybe a half there. I’m very impressed with both the city and us 😉

  4. 02.21.2008

    Woo Hoo…countdown, sista!!

    Carol D-I wish you were there, too!

    gotta go pack!

    Cherrye’s last blog post..Sausage and Sweets – Sharing the Love

    Hee hee…countdown is on for the NEXT trip please?!

  5. 02.21.2008

    Hmmm… personally, I’d rather have Andy Garcia around to help me re-enact that scene where they are making pasta…

    Have a wonderful trip!

    anno’s last blog post..Absence/Alterations

    How about it?!

  6. Bipolarlawyercook
    02.21.2008

    Everything I’ve ever read about Sicily makes me yearn to go there. I’m looking forward to lots of pictures and lots of stories. Happy LT!

    Bipolarlawyercook’s last blog post..Love Thursday

    BLC, I know how you feel, and I definitely recommend listening to that yearn.

  7. 02.21.2008

    Have a great time. Are you packin’ heat? Just teasing…..have a great time!!! Take lots of pics for us…especially photos of Andy Garcia 😉

    My Melange’s last blog post..What’s in your Vocab Bank?

    Hah! No comment. And if only Andy had been around it would’ve made the trip absolutely perfect 😉

  8. 02.21.2008

    oh, have fun! Traveling is such fun. I’m sure you’ll come back with some great pics! Can’t wait to see them.

    kacey’s last blog post..Left Brain Right Brain

    Thanks Kacey!

  9. alexmom
    02.21.2008

    Buon Viaggio!! If you’re wandering, try to hit Taormina too. E’ bellissima!

    Beautiful indeed! I had already been there, so we’re going to hit it on another trip–as you know, it’s pretty close to us 🙂

  10. Jane
    02.21.2008

    have a wonderful trip!

    Thanks!

  11. Buon viaggio!! I can’t wait to visit Sicily. Looking forward to seeing your pics.

    nyc/caribbean ragazza’s last blog post..I have a lit. manager!

    Gorgeous island indeed, NYC. You’re going to love it 🙂

  12. 02.21.2008

    I LOVE the Godfather movies! I’m envious of your traveling, as I have been sorely missing out on that for some time now. But, it probably helps that you actually live in the country to which I’m longing to return for a visit. So, that’s half the battle. 🙂 Have a great trip and I can’t wait to hear stories and see pictures when you get home. Safe travels!

    Christina

    Christina Arbini’s last blog post..Giving Away The Best Year Of Your Life!

    Yes it definitely helps to be so close to Sicily…makes the trip affordable at least! Photos and tales on the way!

  13. 02.21.2008

    Have fun! Can’t wait to hear all about the trip!

    Karina’s last blog post..Thursday Thirteen #43 – American Idol Recap – Week 1 – The girls

    Thanks!

  14. Lilian
    02.21.2008

    I just happened to see that building (above) in “The Godfather” last night, while channel-surfing. (Seems like the “Godfather” films are always being shown on American television.) Have a wonderful time in Sicily! If you’re only going for a few days (three? four?), I don’t suppose you’re planning to circle the entire island–but if you do make it past Palermo and Taormina, Agrigento, with its famous archaeology, is also worth a visit. (I spent a week in Sicily in 2003, and Agrigento is the most memorable part of the island for me–but then I’m mostly into walking outdoors, among the ruins.)

    Lilian, the next trip will be the archaeological sites, I think–Siracusa, Ragusa, etc. I’ve been to Taormina, but we can hit that too; it’s actually not too far from where we live and can do it in a day trip if we *really* want to make a long day of it. We did see some great ruins in Tindari (Tyndaris) though–stay tuned for photos!

  15. 02.21.2008

    I’ve always wanted to go to Palermo!!! Have a great time! I cannot wait to see your pictures. : D

    Anali’s last blog post..Shooting Into The Sun

    Anali, I *highly* recommend Palermo…details forthcoming!

  16. 02.21.2008

    Have a great time and Happy Love Thursday!

    poppy fields’s last blog post..new purse

    Thanks Meredith 🙂

  17. 02.21.2008

    Palermo is one of the best cities in the world. I love its rustic charm, and the friendly nature of its people. The fact that I’m half Sicilian (and half Barese) helps me appreciate this gorgeous place. No matter what the rest of Italy thinks of Sicily(and some of them don’t think much), it is one of the most beautiful, friendly places I’ve ever traveled. I hope you have an amazing time. I hope you have time for a side jaunt to Taormina — it’s gorgeous.

    Bella’s last blog post..Bloganniversary

    I’m with you Bella; I loved Palermo! I’ve already been to Taormina, and yes, truly beautiful (in a much different way!). I look forward to exploring more and more of Sicily.

  18. 02.21.2008

    Yall have a great time! I am so jealous and cant wait to see the pics and hear the stories. please share! hehe

    stacy’s last blog post..I need some help

    Will do Stacy!

  19. Anne
    02.21.2008

    Have a great time in Sicily, we did when we went in 2006…if you read my blog, you must look at some of first posts, I did put some great photos on there. It was one of the best hols we have had!! 🙂

    Will definitely check out your posts Anne, thanks 🙂

  20. 02.21.2008

    Safe travels!!!!

    Secret Agent Mama’s last blog post..love thursday

    Thanks!

  21. Stephanie
    02.21.2008

    Well, I actually did the whole scene on those fateful steps…… I looked at my husband and did the “Dad?” and fell.
    Have a great time!!! I also love Palermo. Don’t miss the catacombs or Bellino’s Pizzeria. A beautiful place……..

    Thanks Stephanie! We hit the catacombs but not the pizzeria 🙁

  22. Joanne
    02.22.2008

    Palermo is a dream, just beautiful. I spent a weekend there with my other half before we tied the knot. He thinks it is Italy’s most beautiful city, I loved it for it’s extremes. Have a fabulous time!

    Joanne’s last blog post..Red, Hot and Spicy

    Now that we’re back I can say that I fully agree 🙂

  23. 02.22.2008

    I wish I was going with you! Have a great trip!!!

    Shalet’s last blog post..Matters of the Heart

    Thanks Shalet!

  24. 02.22.2008

    Photos and lots of them, please.

    witnessing am i’s last blog post..Writing Meme

    With pleasure!

  25. 02.22.2008

    Wow, your web site is cool 🙂

    I enjoyed reading it!! Keep posting!

    Thanks! I will!

  26. 02.22.2008

    Have fun!

    Shan’s last blog post..where did he park the mystery machine

    Thanks!

  27. SabineM
    02.22.2008

    Have a great time! Have a Philly Cheesesteak for me!
    I used to live in Philly and I also did the rocky run up the stairs!

    SabineM’s last blog post..Earth Hour March 29th

    Sabine, although I lived in Philly too I never did the Rocky run…too lazy 😉

  28. 02.22.2008

    Buon Viaggio!

    D and I are planning to see our First Real Italian Opera (Puccini’s Manon Lescaut) at the Teatro Massimo this June.

    tell us if you and Cherrye find some out-of-the-way drop-dead fantastic trattorias or gelaterias or any other kind of erias in Palermo…

    I *loved* the theater; wish we could’ve gotten a tour (they do have them but of course our timing wasn’t right). Anyway, I will be in touch, of course.

  29. 02.23.2008

    i am hoping for a full report (extensive photos & gelati) on this adventure…southern italy (including sicily) is part of our next itinerary abroad

    qualcosa di bello’s last blog post..comfort food…for body & soul

    The gelato part didn’t go so well (the only one we had was pretty bad actually) BUT the rest of the trip was fabulous…photos to come!

  30. 02.23.2008

    I’m dying to see pictures from your trip. I’ve several from there that belonged to my grandparents! Hope you have a wonderful trip!

    Bren’s last blog post..Haiku Friday – Hot For Sawyer

    Photos coming Bren!

  31. 02.24.2008

    Gosh but I’m late to the party… I didn’t realize Love Thursday was “officially” back! Enjoy your visit to Sicily!

    bonggamom’s last blog post..Wooden

    Yeah Bonggamom, it’s baaaack 🙂

  32. 02.24.2008

    Che bella! You are off to Sicily. I love the whole island and the food too so am sure you will have a great time!

    Leanne’s last blog post..From Red Lights to Van Gogh

    We did indeed 🙂

  33. 02.26.2008

    I can picture the scene on the steps, have a wonderful trip! I’m jealous!!

    Marie’s last blog post..“FESTA ITALIANA” – A FOOD EVENT !!

    Thanks Marie!

  34. 08.07.2008

    Ooooh! I’m also very envious.

    Have a wonderful time!

    k

    Was a fabulous time, thanks Kim!

  1. [...] you may remember that before Cherrye and I set off for our trip to Sicily, I mentioned wanting to visit ... bleedingespresso.com/2008/04/teatro-massimo-in-palermo.html
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Michelle KaminskyMichelle Kaminsky is an American attorney-turned-freelance writer who lived in her family's ancestral village in Calabria, Italy for 15 years. This blog is now archived. 

Calabria Guidebook

Calabria travel guide by Michelle Fabio

Recipes

 

Homemade apple butter
Green beans, potatoes, and pancetta
Glazed Apple Oatmeal Cinnamon Muffins
Pasta with snails alla calabrese
Onion, Oregano, and Thyme Focaccia
Oatmeal Banana Craisin Muffins
Prosciutto wrapped watermelon with bel paese cheese
Fried eggs with red onion and cheese
Calabrian sausage and fava beans
Ricotta Pound Cake