Rocco Galatioto, nice photos and good food

Olympus E PL-2 Mafalda con mortadella. The mafalda , is a typically Sicilian roll that is ideal with the exquisite mortadella or other cold cuts available here. This roll has a flavor reminiscent of the real French  baquette. It's probably a culinary left over from the days when the French were here. The Sicilian Vespers put an end to this nasty period, fortunately but we kept the bread and changed it's shape. 

Trapani, this lovely city smack on the north west corner of Sicily is worth posting a few more photos. It's centro storico is wonderful and automobile traffic free. It makes foe easy strolling. A must visit to anyone visiting this lovely island. We arrived at siesta time but things get rather busy at night with lots of people enjoying the area.

The term mini golf usually brings up images of trailer parks and cheap thrills. The Green Garden Mini Golf in Castellammare del Golfo is, however, in  a class all by itself. Run by an exceptionable couple, Nene' and  Antonella la Torre with help from their two wonderful adult and university educated children, Benedetto and Noemi, this place is a true wonder and a true testament to Sicilian hospitality and friendliness. Located on an olive grove  on a plateau a few kilometers from the town, all the holes are shaded by olive trees  and surrounded by plants thus creating a very peaceful, pleasant, cool  and natural atmosphere. Needless to say, it is my favorite  hangout as I seat  nightly at the proprietor's table with other regulars  chatting,  drinking espresso and  enjoying granita , the real lemon ice,  up to the early hours of the morning.  It's truly a magical place. A must stop for anyone visiting this lovel...

There's no more beautiful sight than the fall foliage in the north eastern part of the States. The vivid  colors contrasting with the blue skies create a photographer's paradise. There's no other place where this colorful display takes place. Credo che non esista un ambiente piu' bello del fogliame autunnale nel nord est degli States. Colori vividi si contrastano con cieli azzurri creando un vera estasi per un fotografo.

Panorama of Castellammare del Golfo. Archival photo taken with the Olympus E-300

As the new tower is erected on the site of the old twin towers, I mourn  with great sadness the old ones and realize that they are irreplaceable.  Nikon FTn with 24mm Nikkor F2.8 on Tri-X Mentre si lavora per allestire la torre nuova sul sito delle gemelle incomincio a sentire la mancanza delle originali  con lutto e tristezza, rendendomi conto che non sono  affatto rimpiazzabili.

Nikon Coolpix 990

Once again these date back to the late spring of 2009 and were shot with the Canon G-9, Di nuovo queste foto risalgono alla fine della primavera del 2009 e furono scattate con la Canon G-9

Muffuletti, Sicilian muffins, are usually made in the fall to coincide with the feast of St. Martin when by lore all the musts become wines. These soft rolls are made with fennel seeds and are then "cunsati" or fixed up with olive oil, cheese and salted sardines among other ingredients. Delicious. I "muffuletti siciliani," sono delle pagnotte fatte con i semi di finocchino che si preparano  usualmente durante l'autunno per coincidere  con il periodo di San Martino quando tutti i mosti diventano vini. Si debbono "cunsari" o farcire con pecorino, sarde salate e olio d'oliva abbondante e con tanti altri ingredienti. Sono deliziosi.

Best Buy Will Match Online Prices This Holiday - Including Amazon   Best Buy's has always matched prices of other stores, but they've not done any price matching of online retailers. This holiday season that changes, and Best Buy will be price matching with online competitors as well. So bring your smartphone  the next time you take a trip to Best Buy, because you can then check prices on Amazon, Newegg, B&H,  Adorama and wherever else you buy cameras, memory cards and accessories. The massive electronics chain will be a one-stop shop for the gear you want at the same prices you can get online.  It is hard to get more people into stores as many prefer to shop on line. Best Buy hopes that this will help lessen the amount of people that  window shop in person and then buy online. The company says that this is common for those buying electronics and at least 43% have done this before. Anything to keep those sales in stores would be  more profitable ...

All shot in late spring of 2009 with the Canon G-9 Tutte scattate verso la fine della primavera del 2009 con la Canon G-9