Marsala is located on the west coast of the Italian island of Sicily, in the province of Trapani. Originally called Lilybaeum, it is a city with a rich history dating back to 396 BC. This city has been the principal stronghold of the Carthaginians, ruled by the Romans, and conquered by the Arabs. The Arabs gave it its current name, derived from Marsa Allah (‘Port of Allah’ or ‘Port of God’). In 1860, Giuseppe Garibaldi led his thousand-man army through Marsala’s gates in his quest to overthrow the Bourbon rule of Sicily, and unify Italy. Today, it is my home.
When I first arrived in Marsala two years ago, I was instantly taken by the crystal-clear, azure blue Mediterranean Sea that surrounds it, the vineyards that abound within it, and the wine that is named for it. However, it was the people who truly captured my heart. Though I didn’t speak the language, they did everything they could to communicate with me and help me get acquainted with daily life. They took me under their wing, and sort of adopted me into their families. For this, I am forever grateful!
Today, I speak the language fairly well, and love to visit with my newly-gained family. Although, I have to admit that I still struggle a bit to understand them at times because of their thick, Sicilian dialect, which is almost a completely separate language in itself. It doesn’t matter, though. My new Marsalese friends and I share a common language, which is the language of the heart. You see, we all have an intense love for the food, wine, and culture of this place, and love to impart that love to others. This love is what drives me to write this blog, and share a little bit of Marsala Mia (My Marsala) with you.
Life here is simple. At times, I feel as if I’ve stepped back in time 50 years. While there are still modern conveniences like cell phones, computers, and satellite television, many people still prefer a more old-fashioned way of life. You still see little old ladies walking down the street, pulling little carts behind them while shopping for their daily groceries. There are several supermarkets in town, but plenty of people still shop for their essential food items at individual fruit and vegetable stands, butcher shops, fish shops, pasta shops, pastry shops, and bakeries.
It’s all about freshness here. There are roadside stands selling the season’s best produce on almost every corner. Fisherman set up tables on the side of the road, or simply open the trunks of their cars, to sell that morning’s catch of sea urchins, sardines, or other fresh fish. I buy my eggs from a man who raises his own chickens. My first week here, my husband and I were waiting at a stop light, when an old man on a bicycle crossed in front of us. Hanging from the handlebars were five dead chickens. How’s that for fresh?!
So, I hope that you’ll join me on my quest to discover more about the people, food, and culture of this place, as well as on my culinary adventures in other parts of Italy and Europe. If there’s anything that you’d like to know more of about the food, travel, or life in Sicily, Italy, or Europe, please let me know, and I’ll try to include it in future blogs. In addition, if you’d like to visit Marsala, please let me know. I’d be more than happy to show you around the city and surrounding areas.
Now THIS is a blog that I will be tuning in often to read! Me and food, we get along quite well, maybe a little too well, but I take quality over quantity any day.
~An old chap
Benvenuto Marsala Mia!
Thanks for the link. I will def be adding you to my blogroll. I adore Sicily. A few years back we spent a fantastic New Years in Marsala. Perhaps one of these days I can dig up the name of the hotel/restaurant.. I’m sure it’s in one of these boxes around here somewhere 😉
Ciao, Karen
I’m right there with you, Jonathan!
Karen, you and I actually have a mutual friend! My husband is here on a government contract, so we have privileges at Sigonella NAS. Monika, the hairstylist across the street, does my hair, and turned me on to your book and blog (I LOVE both, by the way). Small world, huh?
Ok, Dimmi!! How are you in Marsala?? There is now way to commute?? You can email me at karen@inetnasshadow.com, if you don’t want to post here 😉
And, PLEASE tell Monika I miss her sooooo much! Gesh, I just got my hair done yesterday and I swear it is ORANGE!!! VAH! We are coming to Sicily in April. Perhaps we can have a Sicilian style pow-wow while Monika fixes my hair 😉
K
What a great start to your blog Michelle! I look forward to reading even more and can’t wait to visit someday!
Mucho love to you!
I’m pretty sure you have THE coolest life EVER! 🙂
I loved seeing your photos and hearing about your life. I’m coming back to visit often!
Oh you’re new! I found the link on Karen’s blog and had to drop by because I love Marsala (the drink).
I hope you used the Pescatrice for a spaghetti sauce – it’s delicious!
This is awesome! I can’t wait to follow you on this blog!
I love reading about Sicily…amazing how they live, and how they seem to be back in time, especially in the villages. I love to see the little stalls, just set up on the side of the road etc.
Just wondering if you have ever read Welshcakes Limoncello’s blog Sicily Scene ..she is a friend of mine, A welsh lady living in Modica….http://sicilyscene.blogspot.com/.
Wow! I’m so excited that so many of you are already following my blog! It’s so nice to have the support of family and friends, both old and new.
Scintilla, I have a friend who owns a restaurant here in Marsala, but is from Positano. She keeps telling me that I need to visit her city. BTW…I grilled the pescatrice this time. YUMMY!
Anne, I haven’t read your friend’s blog. I’ll have to check it out sometime soon.
Michelle,
We know all about your butcher and fishmonger.
But what poor Jay? Is he still around?
Mamma mia,
Ron
Hello! I enjoyed meeting your local shopkeepers! Not so different in Marsala than over here in Aci Castello near Catania, although the color of the water is very different. The black Etna rocks make the sea look a much deeper blue. Look forward to checking back on your Sicilian adventures! I am certainly having many!
This is a great blog and being a newcomer to Marsala it’s helpful to hear other people’s viewpoints on life here. Thank you for sharing!
Wonderful! Michelle, you do a superb job of describing the culture. Can’t wait t o read more.
I am hooked! I can’t wait to hear more about Marsala and what it is like there. The more you sure, the more my husband and I might have to make a trip down there (when that will be, who knows). The pictures you took were also amazing. I can imagine that when you went down there for the first it might have been a culture shock, I know it would be for me. Can’t wait to hear more! Awesome blog site.
Michelle,
As you know you guys are family. Don’t forget to try the restaurant ” A Due pase di il Mare” in Sbiliana Village. You can ask dave and Sue about that one. Also don’t forget ” Il colore del mare al Vino Rosso” owned by Maria. Si le parla chi mi conosce te fara un sconto. It’s close to the Entrance by the Cinema. Go through that entrance and it will be the 2nd narrow street on your right. Maria also runs the “Mexican restaurant in Marsala”. The fajitas are awesome.
John, Jay and I LOVE A Due Passi dal Mare! I actually have a link to it here on the blog. We’ll be going there for dinner on Valentine’s Day, and I’ll be writing a blog post about it afterward.
We have been to Osteria al Mare il Colore del Vino, and it was good. However, they have been closed lately. It’s probably just a seasonal thing. Maria has completely closed the Mexican restaurant, though.