I put together a slideshow for you (fast moving, not boring, less than three and a half minutes long)! Both retreat weeks are represented in the slideshow. The first week was devoted to Yoga + Culinary & Culture. The second week was devoted to Yoga + Hiking (+ Culture). As you turn up the volume and watch the imagery, you will understand why I was inspired to write “Sicily is” (see below).

I hope the music put to the slideshow makes you sway to the mysterious, haunting, enticing, and inviting melody of “Pasta Dub” by Marco Messina. I first heard this song while watching the film I Villani last November at the Italian Film Festival in Seattle. I Villani is a documentary following the lives of four Italian farmers who work from sunrise to sunset. One of the farmers is from Enna, Sicily, and when he talked about agriculture, his love of earth, family, cooking, and respect for the planet and all living things, I felt a surge of happiness. I have that same surge of happiness whenever I am in Sicily.

Enjoy the imagery below, both in words and in the slideshow.

Sicily is being kissed by the sun while eating sun-kissed tomatoes.

Sicily is a series of colorful sunrises and sunsets and Homer’s wine dark sea.

Sicily is Demeter’s longing for the return of Persephone each spring.

Sicily is September’s moody skies.

Sicily is a bowl of freshly-made steaming ricotta.

Sicily is olive oil the color of gold.

Sicily is roasted and caramelized onions, peppers, zucchini, and eggplants.

Sicily is a smile whose warmth will carry you through the cold of winter.

Sicily is the beach lily, thriving through sheer strength and perseverance.

Sicily is Mt. Etna, the loving gentle Mother who can let out a fearsome rumble from time to time.

Sicily is pride, creativity, and excellence.

Sicily is full of wildflowers, even in September!

Sicily is the melting pot of the world’s ancient civilizations.

Sicily is a series of stones that carry stories dating back to the Greeks, Phoenicians, and to prehistoric peoples.

Sicily is a ray of sunshine bouncing off the sea.

Sicily is a ravioli bursting open.

Sicily is an over-stuffed canollo.

Sicily is a grapevine whose roots dig deep into the rich volcanic soil, producing rich complex wines worthy of a grand celebration.

Next Sicily retreat won’t be until Spring 2021. Meanwhile, lots of other incredible opportunities to do yoga retreats with me. 2020 Schedule to come out soon.