Sunday, March 15, 2009

FROM MY BEDROOM WINDOW

I wrote this for the What I See Out My Window feature at StumbleUpon, forgot about it and today saw that it was published on February 22nd . I thought I'd share it here as well this evening:

What I See Out My Window - Modica, Sicily



From my sitting room window, I can see the house opposite, the street, the Post Office with people hurrying to it and the same people hurrying even more when they come out at least an hour later, for that is a place which you enter and abandon all hope. Unfortunately, neither the house nor the street are very interesting and I cannot take a photo of people's expressions from my second-floor balcony.

Therefore I have decided to share with you the view from my bedroom window. This is completely different and I think you will agree that it doesn't seem like town at all. Only the modern apartment buildings and the cranes in the distance hint at an urban setting.

The fields belong to neighbours and are divided by typically Sicilian drystone walls. These are everywhere in Sicily and there are various theories as to their original purpose: part of an irrigation system, an attempt to lessen the effect of landslides or simply to fence land off. Who knows? To me they have a beauty all of their own. You never see anyone working on them, yet they are nearly all well maintained. This is one of the joys of living in Sicily: traditions are respected and valued whilst we are very much a part of modern Italy.

To the left, you can just see a clump of what look like cacti: these are the fichi d'India or prickly pear plants, as much a feature of the Sicilian landscape as the drystone walls. The leaves grow into enormous plants from wherever the wind drops them and in October they produce their wonderful fruit. It is sold by the crate and can be eaten raw, used to make ice cream or in liqueurs. You have to be careful not to let your hands have any contact with the thorns and it is best to get a Sicilian to give you a lesson in how to prepare them for eating. I love them!

The sky is not always blue like this: in fact it is dull and raining as I write but only very rarely does it become dark in the daytime. It is never grey as in Britain, even when we have a thunderstorm. So on most days, I can look out of my bedroom window and see exactly what you are seeing now. It is a view which brings me peace.

15 comments:

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

Your right, it doesn't seem like town at all!! Very peaceful :-)

The sky in Oxfordshire and most of Britain was so blue today...but I agree with you ..it can be so grey here..

Leslie: said...

It truly IS a beautiful and peaceful vista. Right now it is half raining and half snowing here and everyone is anxious for spring to truly begin. Crocuses and snowdrops are in bloom but the daffodils and tulips won't be up for another while. Enjoy your view and your day! :D

sally in norfolk said...

a beautiful view... today it has felt like summer here which means tomorrow we shall have snow :-)

CherryPie said...

That is such a beautiful view :-)

Sally is right we had our one day of summer today ;-)

Cat said...

Beautiful - and if there is one overriding association that remains with me from Sicily, it is the abundance of prickly pears!

Unknown said...

What a gorgeous view you have! If I lived where you do, I might never leave the bedroom :)!

Whispering Walls said...

That is a soothing view - perhaps you could ask your neighbours if you could import a couple of Welsh lambs into those fields?

James Higham said...

Seems as accurate as any. By the way, you won the prize.)

Gledwood said...

That's transcendently beautiful, Welshcakes, and about x8000 greener than most Brits would ever give "Eye-teye Land" for being"...(!!)

;->...

Dragonstar said...

That view makes it look as if you live in the countryside. It seems tome you have the best of both worlds where you live.

Trubes said...

What a tranquil scene Welshcakes. I don't know why, but, I always imagined that you lived in the heart of a busy town.
Just could'nt envisage such a contrast.

Hope you and darling Simi are well. I've been off-line for nearly 4 weeks so just catching up.
There is an up-date on my site.

Di.xx

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Hi, Anne. Glad you've got some good weather over there! Hi, Leslie. Thanks. I love snowdrops. Hi, Sally. Hope the snow didn't come back! Hi, Cherie. Let's hope it's more than that! Thanks, cb. IK've been tempted, Lost! Good thinking, WW! Hi, James. Oh, the caption thingey! Well, blow me down... Thanks, Gleds. I think you're right. I think I do, Dragonstar. Hi, Trubes. I was wondering about you. Hope all is OK. x

Eurodog said...

Can Simi run the garden?

Liz Hinds said...

No wonder it brings you peace.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Hi, eurodog. No, we can't get in there. Hi, Liz. Thanks.

Counters


View My Stats