Rocco Galatioto, nice photos and good food

These Cuban cigar makers work out of the Arthur Avenue Market in Th e Bronx, NYC. 

As you know, I love this city but I have serious reservations about coffee  here. There's no such thing as French Roast as it's an American invention. Here they all have is Italian espresso makers with which they make what they believe to be coffee, a watered down black coffee that is totally undrinkable.  All is macchiato, caffelatte, espresso and cappuccino. None of which resembles the real ones. A cultural offense. Arriving from Italy where one has to kneel in front of the espresso, Paris is a total let down. The food is OK but unless one goes for the pretentious, its average. But it's still Paris. What can I say. The metro is the best in the world and the museums rule. Here is a photo  I just shot in Versailles. It's easy to see why the French revolution took place even though there are very few examples of fraternite', equalite' and liberte' visible. Plus ca change plus est la meme chose. C'est la vie.

I have posted many photos shot at the Planting Fields Arboretum on Long Island, NY. These are of the wonderful old green houses. It's truly a magical place.

 Just shot in the Saint Germain de Pres neighborhood in Paris.  

As you know, I absolutely adore Paris and the tittle of this post like many that have preceded it with the same tittle alludes to a famous aria in Verdi's La Traviata . It simply means my dear Paris. We are here again to enjoy this pleasant city. Again, I use a photo shot by my talented wife, Marcy.

We will go to Paris today and  will bid arrivederci to Castellammare del Golfo. From this panoramic view, the place still looks awesome.

There are still those who adhere to traditions here in Sicily. These close ups of panels from  traditional Sicilian carts are from a recent parade held for tourists and residents who now see these as  curiosities, It  wasn't long ago when the  cart  was the main transportation in this island. Most weren't this fancy. I will post more images soon of people on these carts. It's sufficient to say that they are real works of folk art.

Believe it or not it actually rains here in late fall and winter. This is an image shot in November a few years ago from my window on such a day.