[tipokot]

SICILY

The Good:

• The food is amazing. Beyond amazing, even. Many legendary "Italian" dishes trace their origins to Sicily, and many non-Italian foods, such as couscous can be found in native Sicilian cooking. We have the best wine in Italy, and some of the best lemons and oranges in the world.

• The climate is also spectacular, as it is not too humid yet also not chilly.

• The diversity among natives is among the best in the world, and reflect the ethnic background of not just Sicily but the entire Mediterranean region.

• The views are breathtaking. You can walk from ancient ruins to a dry area fill with cacti, to a cold mountain, to a volcano, to the beach... all within the span of a few hours.

• Speaking of volcanoes, Mt. Etna is the largest, most active volcano in Europe.

• Palermo is the only large city in Italy where young adults outnumber pension-age people, and has a great night life.

• History. Every town in Sicily has hundreds, if not thousands of years of history, and if you speak Italian or Latin you can see it written proudly on churches, terraces, and all over the place. Otherwise, you can find a tour just about anywhere, or ask the locals. Everyone knows the gist of their hometown's history by heart.

The Bad:

• Mafia

• High unemployment / recent issues with the Italian economy

• The traffic/drivers

• There are many elements of Sicilian cooking that outsiders may not appreciate. Anchovies and eggplant, for example, are regular staples of Sicilian cuisine.

• Racism. That is to say, 99% of people in Sicily are Sicilians, and the majority of immigrants are of South Asian or African origin, and they are not particularly beloved by the community, so many locals are skeptical of outsiders.

• Many, but certainly not all Sicilians cannot speak English, French, German, or any other major international languages. They speak Sicilian at home and are forced to learn Italian in school. While they are supposed to take another language, most do not intend to ever leave Sicily and do not bother to take it seriously.

• Sicily is totally inaccessible unless by ship or by air. Many airlines do not travel directly to Sicily, and you may have to take a stopover in Rome or Milan.

The Ugly:

• Many old towns are poor and you may find yourself in a hotel that hasn't been renovated in decades. Some of the more backward villages only recently have added indoor plumbing.

• People are very blunt and will say what they think.

• The above also means that you may notice a random couple engaged in sexual relations in an alleyway, or worse, you may see a dead body laying in the street somewhere.

• There are a lot of stray animals, and a significant number of them are not well kept after.