June 4,2924
Sunrise and a walk by the ocean is a perfect way to start the day!!
Today we explored the UNESCO-protected city of Mazara. Jaka, our tour guide knows everyone so we are greeted along the way to the Kasbah by his friend who performed a rap song for us. As we strolled though the city center towards the Kasbah we encountered Salome who lives in the Kasbah and guided us though the maze of narrow streets and homes where 3,00 Tunisians and other Maghreb Arabs live and work. The walled neighborhood has existed since the 1100’s! During our explorations, we learned about the challenges and opportunities encountered while intermingling Sicilian and Arab cultures, and the co-existence of Muslim and Christian faiths.
As part of the revitalization of the Kasbah, a project was started by the mayor (who is an artist) to decorate the walls with tile art and street art. The pride that the residence’s have in their updated neighborhood has resulted in them self policing, reduce crime to the point that police are no longer patrolling. The art is incredible!! The people even more!! Everyone we interacted with was amazing!!
Our next stop was the Museum of the Dancing Satyr, home to a mysterious Greek bronze statue with a noteworthy past. In 1998, local fishermen brought the treasure to land, after it had spent 2,000 years resting on a seabed off Sicily’s southwestern coast.
After the Museum we were met by Antonio who lead us to a small theater built from remains of ships that is just outside the Kasbah and has been restored for community events. He sang a couple of Italian songs for us to demonstrate the acoustics that the wood provides.
Then gwe broke into smaller groups and jumped into cars to be driven to a locals home. This was a unique opportunity to learn more about life in the region. Our host was a retired policeman, his beautiful wife and three grandchildren.
Our meal consisted of typical western Sicilian fare. The food was yummy but the lively conversation was the best part!! The couple were married when she was 16 and he was 18. They were so cute as they worked together to entertain us.
I am loving the interactions with local people!!!
