forrest gumping
October 31, 2008
Niel and I basically Forrest Gumped our way around Sicily, literally stumbling into some amazing things that we probably wouldn’t have discovered had we even tried.
: :
- Like an incredible restaurant for our anniversary dinner. With a Dustin Hoffman lookalike as the manager, excellent service, and the best cannoli Niel’s ever tasted, this was hands-down our favorite place to eat.
- Like ancient ruins in the middle of a vineyard. We couldn’t resist exploring the old abandoned buildings, surrounded on all sides by row after row of grape vines.
- Like one of the best wineries in Sicily. We managed to get in on a tour and tasting, even though they’re not open for walk-ins!
- Like amazing pizza at a podunk bakery in a tiny village that we really only stopped at because my bladder was screaming profanities.
- Like a restaurant that’s been around since 1890. They serve the best homemade ravioli—we went back another night just to eat it again!
- Like an outdoor market festival in the village closest to Europe’s largest active volcano. The market was abuzz with locals buying and selling crafts, honey, jam, etc. At one of the meat and cheese stalls, Niel sampled a gelatenous cow tongue concoction that wobbled like an overgrown Jell-o Jiggler gone bad.
- Like a small trattoria where Niel told the chef, “Surprise me!” He ended up with a whole fish (head, tail, and all!), several large prawns, and a stomach ache!
- Like a wine shop where you bring your own empty bottle (of any variety) and they fill it with wine from an oak barrel (using a glorified gas pump nozzle).
: :
I love that we saw and experienced the less-touristy side of Sicily. Which goes to show, there are real benefits to not having a clue where you’re going or what you’re doing!
@danielleH says:
I forgot to mention earlier that I love the idea of exploring old ruins, even if it’s not allowed. How exciting and adventours (and romantic).
Sounds just amazing.
So…what’s the hairstyle thats in the running now? We’ll be getting in on that action. :)
What a wonderful time! I love that way of travel!!
WOW awesome!!! Someday ….
by the way, that dress is awesome! (awesome and wow seem to be my words of the week … but I really do mean them.)
@cassgirl says:
k… I am going to beat Brandy… Did you wear the red heels in the vineyard???
Seriously, wow you guys can eat!!!
Okay really seriously… It’s often amazing to step off the unbeaten path, huh??
yeller — i’m not totally sure what they’ve decided on. they did ask him last night if they’d be allowed to dye his hair if they raise more than $2000!
annie — thanks for the dress compliment. it was a splurge while we were in the USA… i bought it at black & white. makes me feel so special just even naming the store i got it in! wowzas!
heidi — packing for two weeks meant the heels had to stay home. sad but true. but, uhhh, i did go commando for the first time… (insert bug-eyed guy here!)
@ventigrace says:
I loved this friend :) And tonight… I want to see ALL 800 pictures!!
HEIDI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU SOOOO KNOW ME!!!!!!!!!!
HAHAHAHAHA!!!!
And Alece friend, commando ROCKS. ;-)
I’m loving the stories here and the pictures. I love how happy you look in all of them. I love how happy Niel looks. I just love it all! :D
WOW!!! sounds like you had an absolutely fabulous time! i’m so happy for you that you got to go there.
love you!
kitty – get ready for the slideshow of your life! ha!
brandy – BLUSH!
Forrest gumping? You can verb proper nouns like that!? You’re amazing.
I did this (gumping) once while on a business trip to Munich, Germany. I took their public transportation with their morning and evening rush rather than cabbing (I’m trying). One local mistook me for someone knowledgeable (I was wearing a business suit), and she started asking me for directions. In German. Which I do not speak at all. Nine. I just said, “I’m sorry, but I’m just an American who cannot speak German. AND I have no idea where I am.” She turned around laughing telling her friend, “Blah, blah, blah, American. Hahaha.”
@moweezle says:
How incredible your trip looks! You are smokin’ in that black/white dress. Sooooo Project Runway :) The cow tongue is completely disgusting, but love the restaurant pics with all the wine. Just can’t have too much good wine :)
@tamhodge says:
seriously. who gets to do stuff like this. incredible!!
and you look SMASH-EEEEN in that dress girl!
wowzers!
Oh WOW, looks like you guys had an AMAZING time! I know what you mean about just experiencing a place, and seeing where the day leads. LOVE the photos, lots of my favourite things :) – pasta, markets, vineyards, cheeses, love it!
Thats awesome Alece!!!!! I love all the litte pictures and little bits of info about your trip. Now I’m going to make me some pizza!!
Ooooh that looks so great! Good food, the best company and gorgeous countryside. I am jealous! :) And, “podunk” made me laugh. I thought only us people from Texas said that. Thank you for sharing a little bit of your vacation.
You are still amazing to me!
Looks like you had a blast…
ric — verbifying a proper noun? sure, why not! :-) and your german gumping story is great!
mo — smokin’??? wow. thanks.
tam — i wholeheartedly concur that i am blessed. we have gotten to go and do and see and experience so many things in the past decade. God is good to us…
birgit — we like lots of the same things!
faith — the first meal we cooked after getting back was pizza! we grilled it on the barbecue… SO GOOD!
debra — well, i did live in east texas for a year!
anna — i did have a blast!
Amazing! I would love to travel like this. Great stories and great pictures!
Isn’t this the best way to do traveling EVER!? I’m so excited to live in Jerusalem and see the non-touristy side of things, since I’ll be there for a little over three months! WOOT!
roo — you’re gonna have some great gumping stories … i can’t wait to hear (read?) all about it!
@atangie says:
We get to do our anniversary in Cuzco later on this month. Did I mention that already? Twelve years this year. I probably mentioned that too. :-) Anyway I am inspired to do some gumping too. These pictures are great!
ooooh… gumping in cuzco in honor of 12 years sounds great! enjoy every moment.