A Unique Sicilian Experience
I think the most memorable part of my 3-month trip occured in Palermo. I was with two other Americans, two Aussies and a Kiwi. We walked past the Palazzo de la Comunitá, in front of which the street was packed (it was about 6pm).

I asked one man what was going on, he said he didn't know, and asked a burly man what was going on. The burly man looked at us and told us to wait where we were. The first man told me that the burly man was an undercover policeman. The burly man returned and told us to follow him through the crowd into the Palazzo (which is now a government building and the office of the president of the province).

We all followed him inside (a little nervous!) and he presented us to a man in a tuxedo who took us upstairs, where several men in suits were standing around a table arguing. They all stopped and stared as we walked in.

The man in a tuxedo introduced us to another man in a tuxedo who promised a tour. We chatted for a few moments to see if we spoke any common languages since I spoke only a little Italian but am fluent in Spanish. The second tuxedoed man said that he spoke Spanish like a cow speaks French.

I translated for my companions and the nervousness was broken with laughter (we were a little nervous since we didn't know why the policeman handed us over to the first man in the tuxedo). He gave us a tour of the Palazzo, describing the frescoes on the ceilings, architecture and the particular style of Sicilian Rococco. It was a beautiful building, and our host spoke Italian slowly so I could understand and translate, and answered all our questions. He introduced us to some people who worked there, including the vice president of the province.

Everyone was so interested in us. It was so amazing! All we did was walk by and ask why everyone was standing around! We still don't know why we were taken upstairs or treated so specially, but it was a wonderful moment.

By: Wendy
Summer 2000