Comments on: What I Really Thought of Sicily

By: Calli

Calli — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 00:42:01 +0000

It was a difficult post, and one I sat on for a few days. It’s always hard comparing places to your home…we’ve made a conscious effort to try and appreciate countries for what they offer as a whole. Sure, some places may do things different than I’m used to, but who am I to say that’s wrong! Trash is one thing that always is a put-off for us! Thanks for leaving a comment.

By: Diana

Diana — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 20:15:55 +0000

I really liked this post for its honesty. Sometimes I feel like I can only write about the places I loved, but… ugh, I wouldn’t love some of the places as much if I couldn’t compare it to the places I couldn’t care less for. As for me, the trash and chaos you describe in Sicily remind me of what I saw in Kathmandu. I don’t regret going to Kathmandu, but it was just… dirty…and I wasn’t prepared for it.

By: Calli

Calli — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 13:17:39 +0000

Thanks Agness – I hope you get a chance to visit this summer! I think Sicily will be one of those places I look back at in a year’s time and just remember the things I loved – the gelato, the food, the temples – but it was good to get my thoughts and feelings down as I experienced them. You are definitely right…if you love everywhere you’re probably lying! Safe travels!

By: Agness

Agness — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 11:45:27 +0000

This is why I love travelling – to discover the places and find out whether I like it or not. Never made it to Sicily, but hope to go there this summer with my mom. Thanks for sharing an honest opinion with us. Liking every single place we travel to would be fake!

By: Travis

Travis — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 17:45:52 +0000

Naples is like a different world from the rest of Italy! And Sicily felt very much the same way…a different language, customs, foods – it was just different and caught us a little off-guard. I totally understand that sometimes a first impression of a country can be tough to overcome. I could totally understand having that feeling in Cambodia…but at least you gave it a go and probably came away with some good memories in there!

By: NZ Muse

NZ Muse — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 21:34:25 +0000

Well, at least you gave it you absolutel best shot, and that’s all anyone can ask. I’d like to spend more time in southern Italy and get into more of the cuisine – the furthest we went was Naples/Salerno/Amalfi. I was prepared for Naples, or so I thought, and I was still confident I’d like it because really we were there to eat. Despite that, yeah, Naples just didn’t push my buttons and I imagine Sicily might elicit a similar reaction for us.

I really didn’t enjoy Cambodia overall though I know people rave about it. The people were lovely and the thunderstorms were awe-inspiring (and of course Angkor!) But the heat and dry, dusty atmosphere, and the food, well, it just wasn’t a good combo for us. And the poverty is heartbreaking. NO regrets for going but no desire to return.

By: Calli

Calli — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 20:08:19 +0000

Thanks Steph – you are right, it doesn’t matter if Sicily is great or not – it just wasn’t right for me. That being said, I wanted to stress that this may not be true for everyone and my impressions of it shouldn’t stop someone else from visiting

By: Steph (@ 20 Years Hence)

Steph (@ 20 Years Hence) — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 09:49:00 +0000

The more you travel the more you realize that not everywhere you travel can be your favorite and, indeed, some places just aren’t going to be for you. Plus, it can be really hard to be ruled by first impressions, and normally if you arrive somewhere and don’t dig it, it’s nearly impossible to turn it around (though of course that does happen). I think at the end of the day, whether Sicily is objectively great or not really doesn’t matter… what matters is that it wasn’t a place that made you happy, and you certainly did your best to find the good while you were there. I felt similarly when Tony & I visited China… we were mostly miserable while we were there for a variety of reasons, and even though we managed to salvage a few good moments, at some point we just had to accept it was time to cut bait and head somewhere else. While I don’t think that traveling always needs to be a walk in the park, there’s no valor in sticking with a place that is making you miserable or stressing you out. You gave the place a fair chance and found it wasn’t for you. Doesn’t mean other people won’t love it, but clearly it’s time for you to move on to your next destination!

By: Calli

Calli — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 15:07:15 +0000

I’m glad that my points came across as humorous – there’s always a bit of fear in putting something out there like this that it won’t go over as intended. I completely understand what you mean when you say that Italy can wear you out. Although perhaps it’s a good thing or I’d never want to leave and the daily gelato indulgence would really start to go to my thighs. Your trip to Italy sounds amazing, we loved all of those regions. Although Sicily and I didn’t really jive, I’ll never write it off completely. It’s very different from the North but I’d love to try to visit again someday, now that I know what to expect – preferably at the beginning of a trip when I’m well rested Happy travels!

By: Kerry Ascione

Kerry Ascione — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 17:07:18 +0000

Your post made me laugh and I understand what you are saying. I was interested in hearing it too, because I have not yet been to Sicily, and I don’t feel so bad about it now! I am married to a man who was born in Italy and was raised by Italian immigrant parents who never gave up the Italian culture AND I love him, his family traditions, his cooking and Italy. However, after spending an amazing month in four glorious areas of Italy in 2013 (Rome, Positano, Cinque Terre, Venice), I came to realize how crazy it can be in Italy. No disrespect intended, but Italians can wear you out! They are fun, exciting, interesting, etc…but they can wear you out! After that trip to Italy, I longed for a relaxing trip to France! But, this is what makes the world so interesting – the differences.