Category: Catania (CT) Page 2 of 15

One week in quarantine in Sicily

On March 16, 2020

In Catania (CT), Living in Sicily, Sicilians, Sicily

It is one week since strict quarantine rules started in Italy and of course we in Sicily follow those. Life is quite surreal as we have to stay inside and go out only for necessary matters like doing the groceries, bank errands, some outdoor sports, work….but then we have to go home. The good side is that I get so many things done, time to do all the things I always wanted to do but never had time due to things you are forced to do.? Using the drill, sewing curtains, cleaning wardrobe to give to poor, dust ceilings…

Svenska

Det ?r en vecka sedan str?nga karant?nreglerna b?rjade i Italien och naturligtvis f?ljer vi p? Sicilien dessa. Livet ?r ganska surrealistiskt eftersom vi m?ste stanna inne och bara g? ut f?r n?dv?ndiga saker som att handla, bank?renden, lite utomhussport, arbete …. men sen m?ste vi ?ka hem. Den goda sidan ?r att jag f?r s? mycket saker gjort, tid att g?ra alla saker jag alltid velat g?ra men aldrig haft tid p? grund av saker en tvingats g?ra. Borra, sy gardiner, organisera garderoben f?r att ge till fattiga, damma takvalven…

Despite all this the society works as normally outside. We stay home and post arrives, home delivery for pizza works, some Tabacchi are open, laundry service open, mechanic open, internet works, buses goes as usual, they pick up the trash everyday, even recycling. A very surreal world now. I go out for power walk each day early morning or lunch time when almost no one is around and I notice more police cars around now…saw eight in one hour.

The photos you see in media with people in line by supermarkets is not about lack of foods, is about they let just a certain amount of people in at time. But stores are filled, there is more foods now than before. Even organic shelves are stuffed, usually stuff lacks. Help organizations help people in need to do groceries, clean homes ecc… I have to say that I never seen a society so well organized as now.

Svenska

Trots detta fungerar samh?llet som normalt utanf?r. Vi stannar hemma men posten anl?nder, hemleverans f?r pizza, vissa Tabacchi ?r ?ppna, tv?tteriet ?ppen, mekaniker ?ppen, internet fungerar, bussar g?r som vanligt, soph?mtning varje dag, till och med ?tervinning. En mycket surrealistisk v?rld nu. Jag g?r p? power walk varje dag tidigt p? morgonen eller lunchtid n?r n?stan ingen ?r ute och jag ser fler polisbilar runtomkring nu… s?g ?tta p? en timme.

De bilder du ser i media med m?nniskor i k? vid stormarknader handlar inte om brist p? mat, det handlar om att de sl?pper in en viss m?ngd m?nniskor i taget. Men butikerna ?r v?lfyllda, det finns mer mat nu ?n tidigare. ?ven Eko hyllorna ?r fyllda, vanligtvis saknas saker. Hj?lporganisationer hj?lper m?nniskor i behov att handla, st?da hem ecc … Jag m?ste s?ga att jag aldrig sett ett samh?lle s? v?lorganiserat som nu.

Today I worked as food business never stops. Cleaned the vacuum cleaner, sorted tool boxes and sewing boxes…even sorted buttons in light and dark colors. Found money in a book… Italy has made so many reforms to help people and companies, got the 41 page document from accountant to study tomorrow. But I will not write about that, it will be in media soon and countries going in Lock Down will copy the program.

Svenska

Idag arbetade jag d? livsmedelssektorn aldrig stannar. Rensade dammsugaren, sorterade verktygsl?dor och s?mnadsl?dor…?ven sorterade knappar i ljusa och m?rka f?rger. Hittade pengar i en bok … Italien har genomf?rt s? m?nga reformer f?r att hj?lpa m?nniskor och f?retag, fick 41 sidors dokument fr?n revisorn att studera i morgon. Men jag kommer inte att skriva om det, det kommer att vara i media snart och l?nder som g?r i Lock Down kommer att kopiera programmet.

This time I feel the soul begins to calm down, dreams begins to form, the hobbies I want to have seems more doable … feel reborn. Even though times are dark now, I feel peace. The gut feeling says the future is beautiful. Take care of each other and take the time in Lock Down to create dreams and heal. Love from Sicily!

Svenska

Denna tid k?nner jag att sj?len b?rjar lugna ner sig, dr?mmar b?rjar bildas, hobbyn jag vill g?ra verkar mer g?rliga…k?nner mig p?nyf?dd. Trots att tiderna ?r m?rka nu, k?nner jag ingen oro. Magk?nslan s?ger att framtiden ?r vacker. Ta hand om varandra och ta tiden i Lock Down att skapa dr?mmar och helas. Love from Sicily!

Lock Down! Or?

By Siljehagen

On March 10, 2020

In Catania (CT), Living in Sicily, Sicilians, Sicily

UPDATE 11/3: People can do sports, go out, eat in restaurants, have lessons ecc…but not in large groups and respect the distance between people. Called the authorities due to so much misinformation around. Hashtags to stay home are private initiatives.

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I don’t really understand what this Lock Down is about. Whole Italy is now under the regulations that everyone should stay home and go out only for extremely important matters and work. Okay, so I got curious and went out for a drive. In Catania most stores are open, even those a person can live without. Drove to IKEA outside the city center, and imagine my surprice…it was open. Went in, less people but business as usual with signs recommending people to keep one meter distance. Bought curtains. Mc Donalds open and many other non necessary businesses. And then, no control at all. Drove around for two hours, not a police car in sight. No road blocks, nothing. Heard from colleagues a cruise ship came in to Messina, tourists doing excursions after a fast check.

Wasn’t Milano supposed to be completely closed for traveling in and out? Check the Catania airport app, nine flights out yesterday and today seven this far from Catania to Milan. Normally they have 14 flights a day.

I see less traffic, some more people with masks and less people in stores. But business as usual. You go in, you go out…as normal. I went out lunch time due to less people, not risking anyone or anything, having the obligatory declaration with me (last photo) ready to be controlled. Nothing!

Svenska efter bilderna

Jag f?rst?r inte riktigt vad denna landskarant?n handlar om. Hela Italien omfattas nu av reglerna att alla ska stanna hemma och bara g? ut f?r extremt viktiga ?renden och arbete. Okej, s? jag blev nyfiken och ?kte ut f?r med bilen. I Catania ?r de flesta butiker ?ppna, ?ven de en person kan leva utan. K?rde till IKEA utanf?r stadens centrum och f?rest?ll mig min f?rv?ning … det var ?ppet. Gick in, f?rre m?nniskor men aff?rer som vanligt med skyltar som rekommenderar m?nniskor att h?lla en meters avst?nd. K?pte gardiner. Mc Donalds ?ppnet och m?nga andra icke n?dv?ndiga aktiviteter. Och ingen kontroll alls. K?rde runt i tv? timmar, inte en polisbil i sikte. Inga v?gblockar, ingenting. H?rde fr?n kollegor att ett kryssningsfartyg kommit in till Messina, turister gjorde utflykter efter en snabb kontroll.

Skulle inte Milano vara helt st?ngt f?r att resa in och ut? Kolla appen Catania flygplats, nio flygningar ig?r och idag sju s? l?ngt fr?n Catania till Milano. Normalt har de 14 flyg om dagen.

Jag ser mindre trafik, n?gra fler m?nniskor med masker och f?rre m?nniskor i butiker. Men aff?rer som vanligt. Du g?r in, du g?r ut … som normalt. Jag gick ut lunchtid p? grund av f?rre m?nniskor, inte riskera n?gon eller n?got, med den obligatoriska deklarationen med mig (sista bilden) redo att kontrolleras. Ingenting!

Life in Catania today

By Siljehagen

On March 8, 2020

In Catania (CT), Living in Sicily, Sicilians, Sicily

Daily life in Catania these chaotic times (which I personally see a mass psychosis than anything else). Streets filled with people, no masks (just seen two last days), few hysterical people…but at the end I am glad to be in Sicily now. It may be seen as a more “simple region” of Italy, but many has a more further perspective on things. Sicilians has been through worse things and dare also to open up for other point of views. These days I do not call Sweden at all, it is like everyone will die…

Personally I do not believe in this danger as far more people die of flu, pollution, hazards in the soil, cancer, diet related issues….and we have had so many viruses and economical melt downs the last decade that I have shut down completely. But talking like this openly is also a risk as you see how aggressive people are…there has even been violent acts due to this. It is not good.

Svenska

Det dagliga livet i Catania dessa kaotiska tider (som jag personligen ser som masspsykos ?n n?gonting annat). Gator fyllda med m?nniskor, inga masker (bara sett tv? senaste dagarna), f? hysteriska m?nniskor … men till slut ?r jag glad ?ver att vara p? Sicilien nu. Det kan ses som en mer “enkel region” i Italien, men m?nga har ett mer vidare perspektiv p? saker. Sicilianarna har genomg?tt v?rre saker och ocks? ?ppna upp f?r andra synpunkter. Idag ringer jag inte Sverige alls, det ?r som om alla kommer att d? …

Personligen tror jag inte p? denna fara eftersom fler m?nniskor d?r av influensa, f?roreningar, gifter i marken, cancer, kostrelaterade problem …. och vi har haft s? m?nga virus och ekonomiska krascher det senaste decenniet att jag har st?ngt helt ner. Men att prata ?ppet ?r ocks? en risk eftersom man ser hur aggressiva m?nniskor ?r … det har till och med varit v?ldsamma handlingar p? grund av detta. Det ?r inte bra.

Vitamine boost walking in Catania

By Siljehagen

On March 6, 2020

In Catania (CT), Living in Sicily, Sicily

About last weekend: Masquerades, Champagne, Buffet…

By Siljehagen

On February 25, 2020

In Catania (CT), Living in Sicily, Sicilians, Sicily

It’s the time of the year for masquerades and Carnivals in Italy. This venue has been the nicest this far in Sicily, it was organized at Tenuta Consoli Floreno, just outside Catania.

Svenska

It’s the time of the year for masquerades and Carnivals in Italy. This venue has been the nicest this far in Sicily, it was organized at Tenuta Consoli Floreno, just outside Catania.

Design you own shoes in Catania

By Siljehagen

On February 22, 2020

In Catania (CT), Living in Sicily, Sicilians, Sicily

This is an amazing shoe fabric in Catania city where you can design your own shoes, Luciana Cavalli. On the second floor they sell shoes made in the fabric and accessories in Sicilian style. She got some problems from the famous designer Roberto Cavalli due to the same last name, but won the case as in Italy you can not change your name as we can in Scandinavia.

This fabric i definitely worth a visit if you are here. Fine quality of materials and all hand made on spot. I am a shoeholic, so I guess this is the place that will drive me to bankruptcy. More photos after the Swedish text.

Svenska

Detta ?r en fantastisk skoverkstad i Catania d?r du kan designa dina egna skor, Luciana Cavalli. P? andra v?ningen s?ljer de skor tillverkade i fabriken och accessoarer i Siciliansk stil. Hon fick lite problem med ber?mda designern Roberto Cavalli p? grund av samma efternamn, men vann eftersom i Italien kan du inte ?ndra ditt namn som vi kan i Skandinavien.

Denna fabrik ?r definitivt v?rt ett bes?k om du ?r h?r. Fin materialkvalitet och allt handgjort p? plats. Jag ?r skoholist, s? jag antar att det h?r platsen som kommer att leda mig till personlig konkurs.

Saint Agata festivities in Catania

By Siljehagen

On February 9, 2020

In Catania (CT), Living in Sicily, Sicilians, Sicily

Saint Agata is the most important celebration for Catanesi, the celebrate their city’s saint. Every year also a public function gets honored with Candelora D’oro for their important work, and this year is was the fire fighters. We were invited by the mayor to see the honor price to be received by the fire fighters the 2nd of February. That night they also leave flowers to the saint at main church. The 3rd of February we were invited again to the municipality to see fireworks and for some drinks and finger foods. After that we left for another invitation to Agata Terrazze where we could see the fireworks for Saint Agata better.

More photos and video after the Swedish text.

Svenska

Helgonet Agata ?r det viktigaste firandet f?r Catanesi, de firar deras stadshelgon. Varje ?r hedras ocks? en offentlig funktion med Candelora D’oro f?r deras viktiga arbete, och i ?r var det brandm?nnen. Vi blev inbjudna av borgm?staren att se hederspriset tas emot av brandm?nnen den 2 februari. Den natten l?mnar de ocks? blommor till helgonet vid huvudkyrkan. Den 3 februari blev vi inbjudna igen till kommunen f?r att se fyrverkerier och f?r lite drinkar och sm?plock. Efter det ?kte vi till en annan inbjudan till Agata Terrazze d?r vi kunde se fyrverkerierna f?r Helgonet Agata b?ttre.

Then the festivities ended from my part, had to leave for work in Germany.

Och d?r tog firandet f?r mig slut d? jag reste till Tyskland f?r arbete.

The Sicilian baroque wonder

By Siljehagen

On November 24, 2019

In Catania (CT), Living in Sicily, Sicilians, Sicily

Can highly recommend a tour in one of the Sicilian baroque wonders, the Biscari Palace in Catania. Today was offered an exclusive tour guided by the prince himself, Principe Ruggero Moncada. The prince has a beef with us Swedes as his wife almost ran away with a Swedish man once.
The palace attracted many famous writers like Goethe and Brydone. One the painting you can see the Princess with a hole in her stomach. This happened cause during WW2 the big dancing sala was used as a tennis court by soldiers, and the accident happened. The family decided not to repair the damage as it became part of the history.
The part that I Iove the most is the baroque stairs by the ball room. The palace was finished 1763. Sadly it is quite run down, but it is privately held and just to repair one Murano chandelier costs ?12,000.

I’ve been here couple of times for masquerades and other events, but for a tour it was the first time. Una meraviglia!

More photos after the Swedish text

Svenska

Kan starkt rekommendera en rundtur i ett av de sicilianska barockens underverk, Biscari-palatset i Catania. Idag erbj?ds en exklusiv turn? guidad av prinsen sj?lv, Principe Ruggero Moncada. Prinsen har liten gnabb med oss svenskar eftersom hans fru n?stan smet iv?g med en svensk man en g?ng.
Palatset lockade m?nga k?nda f?rfattare som Goethe och Brydone. I en m?lning kan du se prinsessan med ett h?l i magen. Detta h?nde under andra v?rldskriget d? den stora danssalen anv?ndes som tennisbana av soldater, och olyckan intr?ffade. Familjen beslutade att inte reparera skadan eftersom den blev en del av historien.
Den del som jag gillar mest ?r barocktrappan vid danssalen. Palatset blev f?rdigt 1763. Tyv?rr ?r det ganska slitet, men det ?r privat?gt och bara f?r att reparera en Murano-ljuskrona kostar ?12 000.

Jag har varit h?r n?gra g?nger f?r maskerader och andra evenemang, men f?r en turn? var det f?rsta g?ngen. Una meraviglia!

Over the roof tops from Chiesa Badia Sant’Agata

By Siljehagen

On May 15, 2019

In Catania (CT)

Did you now that only in Catania city there are 23 Unesco sites? Here visiting the Badia Sant’Agata church where you can take the elevator to the roof enjoying a splendid view over the city and magnificent Etna. Not to miss when you are in Catania!

Svenska

Visste du nu att bara i Catania stad finns det 23 Unesco platser? H?r bes?ker jag Badia Sant’Agata kyrkan d?r du kan ta hissen till taket och njuta av en fantastisk utsikt ?ver staden och magnifika Etna. Inte att missa n?r du ?r i Catania!

It’s Carnival time!

By Siljehagen

On March 4, 2019

In Catania (CT), Living in Sicily, Sicilians, Sicily

This year we attended the Carnival party at Palazzo Manganelli in Catania. Nice music, pasta buffet and an ok bar.

Palace is built by the Tornabene family in 1400, but then have had several owners. The Palace was restored and enlarged in the second half of the nineteenth century with the addition of the second floor (where today is a great hotel), the interiors were richly redecorated in the style of the time according to new architectural concepts, where worked the famous painter Giuseppe Sciuti, all work ordered by Princess Angela Patern? of Manganelli Torresi. Currently the palace has a fa?ade in pure late baroque/ rococo style and with a hanging garden. Very famous in Catania, extended on two levels joined by a romantic staircase with two fountains and a nymphaeum. It is currently owned by descendants Borghese princes, renting it for events.

As usual the party got interrupted by the police sometime after midnight due to administrative irregularities, but that is typical in Sicily so…

Svenska

I ?r deltog vi i karnevalfesten i Palatset Manganelli i Catania. Trevlig musik, pastabuff? och en ok bar.

Slottet ?r byggt av familjen Tornabene ?r 1400, men har sedan haft flera ?gare. Slottet restaurerades och byggdes ut under andra h?lften av artonhundratalet med till?gg av andra v?ningen (d?r det idag ?r ett hotell), inredningen var rikt inredd tidsenligt i nya arkitektoniska begrepp, d?r arbetade bland annat k?nda m?laren Giuseppe Sciuti, allt arbete best?llt av prinsessan Angela Patern? fr?n Manganelli Torresi. F?r tillf?llet har slottet en fasad i ren senbarock/ rokoko stil och med en h?ngande tr?dg?rd. Mycket k?nd i Catania, byggd p? tv? niv?er f?renade med en romantisk trappa med tv? font?ner och en nymphaeum. Det ?gs f?r n?rvarande av ?ttlingar, Borghese prinsar, som hyr det f?r event.

Som vanligt avbr?ts festen av polisen n?gon g?ng efter midnatt p? grund av administrativa oegentligheter, men det ?r typiskt p? Sicilien, s? …

Video of the early evening / Video fr?n tidig kv?ll