My Trapani Getaway: Naughty Monkey –Traveler, Brown

Buongiorno!

I woke up ths morning smiling...I had such an amazing time in Trapani that I didn't want to leave. I often think, that (my) life should have a soundtrack...playing just the right song, at the right time...that summizes the moment and/or sentiment. I have a personal anthem, which brings a smile to my face whenever I hear it, and if it were not written by India Arie, I would have sworn I had written it myself...enjoy!

VIDEO*

Sometimes I shave my legs and sometimes I don't

Sometimes I comb my hair and sometimes I won't

Depend on how the wind blows I might even paint my toes

It really just depends on whatever feels good in my soul

I'm not the average girl from your video

and I ain't built like a supermodel

But, I learned to love myself unconditionally

Because I am a queen

I'm not the average girl from your video

My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes

No matter what I'm wearing I will always be the India Arie

When I look in the mirror and the only one there is me
Every freckle on my face is where it's supposed to be
And I know our creator didn't make no mistakes on me
My feet, my thighs, my lips, my eyes; I'm lovin' what I see

I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be the
India Arie
 

Am I less of a lady if I don't wear pantyhose?

My mama said a lady ain't what she wears but, what she knows

But, I've drawn a conclusion, it's all an illusion, confusion's the name of the game

A misconception, a vast deception

Something's gotta change

but, don't be offended this is all my opinion

ain't nothing that I'm sayin law

This is a true confession of a life learned lesson I was sent here to share with y'all

So get in where you fit in go on and shine

Clear your mind, now's the time

Put your salt on the shelf

Go on and love yourself

'Cuz everything's gonna be all right







I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be the India Arie

Keep your fancy drinks and your expensive minks
I don't need that to have a good time
Keep your expensive car and your caviar
All I need is my guitar
Keep your Kristal and your pistol
I'd rather have a pretty piece of crystal
Don't need your silicone I prefer my own
What God gave me is just fine

<><><><><><><><>

I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be India Arie*

Baci!

Stella Notte

Day 83: 06-11-2011

Shoe: Naughty Monkey –Traveler

Color: Brown

Style:  Platform Wedge Sandal with Ankle Strap

Heel:  4 ¼ inches (11.4 cm), Platform: 1 ¼ inch (3.2 cm)

Material: Leather Upper

* Lyrics are from the India Arie song entitled Video

Beautiful in any color; click here to see these beauties in Black!

My Trapani Getaway: MIA –Joplin, White

Ciao, a tutti!

If you could use three words describe how you started off your day this morning, what three words would you choose?  Let me tell you how I started off my day today: Liquor, Coffee, Beach…and in that order!  Well, not exactly…let me explain. 



Staying in Trapani on an Italian holiday weekend, we found only one place available –a Temporary Lodging Apartment (TLA) vice our usual hotel…with 'breakfast included'. Eating at Nuccio's these 

last four years, we have a fair amount of expertise on eating at the (coffee) bar for breakfast…the only problem was to find a bar (a good bar) to eat. Some years ago, an Italian friend of mine told me that if you want the best caffé (espresso) in Italy, look no further than Illy Caffé.  And if price is any indication, you are looking to pay top dollar! Wandering around Trapani in the morning, the bright red Illy sign (which hung above the Café del Corso) was beckoning to us…so we heeded its call, and we were not disappointed. 







I had a Baba (a rum soaked yeast risen cake). I chose the whipped cream topped confection (instead of the white cream pudding type), then to wash it down a Crema Caffé (sometimes written Caffé Creama) –an espresso infused whipped cream drink…the Italians really know how to eat…where else could I get liquor and coffee in the morning and not a soul bat an eyelash?

Baba (left) and crema caffe (right)

We sat at the counter adjacent to where we ordered, and noticed the most curious thing…a window with a waiter retrieving items from the bar. On the other side of the window was the tearoom…from which emanated the most mouthwatering scents. After breakfast we took a glance into the tearoom, which revealed the most charming setting…while ‘breakfast included’ can give you a hassle free place to eat (sometimes), these quaint, unexpected, out-of-the-ordinary and occasionally out-of-the-way places can give you an unforgettable experience.

Cafe Corso

Tearoom

Next stop, the beach. You can’t get bikini-body-ready (and stay that way) without putting the time into it. I only own one pair of exercise shoes, and don’t make a habit of carrying them on vacation (they take up too much room in my shoes suitcase), but I do love to walk, and along the lungomare –seafront promenade, was a great place to go.

Liquor, Coffee and the Beach…not a bad way to start the day!

 

Baci!

Stella Notte

Day 82: 06-10-2011

Shoe: Mia –Joplin

Color: White

Style: Platform Wedge T-Strap Sandal

Heel: 4 ¼ inches (10.8cm), Platform: 1 inch (2.5cm)

Material: Leather Upper

Beautiful in any color;

click here to see another food place I ventured when I wore these beauties in Natural!

My Trapani Getaway and My Favorite Places: Ristorante Hotel Moderno (Buon Ricordo), Mossimo –Presta

Ciao!

Today my shoes are taking us somewhere great to eat…up, up, up and away we go!

Located on top of Mount Erice, about 750m above sea level overlooking the city of Trapani, Erice (ancient name Eryx) and its foundation was associated with the eponymous¥ Greek hero Eryx. It was not a Greek colony, but was largely Hellenized. It was destroyed in the First Punic War by the Carthaginians, and from then on declined in importance.

A quick drive to the city center brought us to the base of Mount Erice, and the funivia (pronounced foo-nee-vee-ah, or cable car station).












Literally translated as Good Memories, Buon Ricordo Restaurants are what I refer to as the Italian version of Hard Rock Café. Restaurants throughout Sicily, Italy, Europe and Asia belong to this association of restaurants which prepare a local dish which is typical of the area.

 

 

When you order the specialty dish (which is designated on the menu with a B.R or Buon Ricordo), you receive a commemorative hand painted ceramic plate decorated with a design symbolic of your meal. Every year, in every restaurant, the plates change, inviting you to make the annual pilgrimage so that you may add to your collection.

At Ristorante Hotel Moderno, the Buon Ricordo dish was Stone Bass escalope in orange-lemon sauce and cost € 18. 

Note Bene 1: Directions to Ristorante Hotel Moderno

Once you exit the cable car station in Erice, make the right and follow the road toward the arch (on your left).  Go through the arch, and you are now on Via Vittorio Emanuale (which is the main road). 


Follow the road up.  It is a bit of a climb, so wear shoes which have rubber soles.  The road is extremely slippery!

When you get to the fork in the road, veer left.  Ristorante Hotel Moderno is on your right.

Note Bene 2:

Follow directions to the funivia.  The parking lot in front of the cable car station is under repair. 
We parked on the road between the station and the parking lot.  Last year, we parked in the same place (because the parking lot was full).  An old man directed us to the spot, and we paid him a few Euro.  This not uncommon to find in Sicily; I don’t mind paying them, because I haven’t had a problem with my giant American van in the four years we’ve been here.  And if the alternative is someone being angry in the vicinity of my car, while I am out and about, a couple of Euros is certainly a small price to pay for piece of mind! 


Note Bene 3:

It is possible to drive to Erice, but I have never driven so I cannot lend any insight into the experience!  But the Cable Car is a fun way to start of your sightseeing in the morning or to reach your dinner destination in the evening.  For €6,50 return, splurge!  Don’t forget to check the running times of the cable car, they do not run 24 hours!

Fun Facts:

Check out this info on the Cable Car:

Technical Data

Valley Station Elevation: 40 meters (m)

Mountain Station Elevation: 703m

Slant Height: 3099m

Drop: 663m

Travel Time: 10 minutes 40 seconds

Operating speed: 5 m/s

Hourly capacity: 1000 people per hour

  

A Word About the Shoes...
I bought these beauties at Target.  Target really does have some fashionable shoes at a great price (Follow this link to see what other beauties I bought at Target: Mossimo Verdie).  What I love about Mossimo shoes is that they are very consistant in their sizing.  It's been some time since I've been in a Target store, but I know when I order a pair of Mossimo's, they are always the perfect fit!


Buon Appetito!

Stella Notte

Day 81: 06-09-2011

Shoe: Mossimo –Presta

Color:  Black

Style: Platform Wedge Sandal with ankle ties

Heel:  5 inches (12.7cm) Platform: 1 ¼ inch (3.2cm)

Material: Fabric Upper

*  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erice

Find a Buon Ricordo Restaurant here:
Buon Ricordo Web Page

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¥ e·pon·y·mous - (of a person) being the person after whom a literary work, film, etc., is named (just in case you didn't know :)

My Trapani Getaway: Steve Madden –Daynty, Cognac

Buongiorno!

My Maréttimo adventure started off with every intention to ride the donkeys. We called Nino (347-287-0448), but the only time he had available for us to ride was 3:30pm…not to good considering our ferry was scheduled to leave at 3:45pm.

So we decided to go for a hike. The highest point on Maréttimo is Monte Falcone with a height of 2,287 ft (686 m), so that was out of the question.

Next we tried to make it to the castle, but when the trail ran out and the wild donkeys scattered the country side, literally and figuratively, we decided on the Roman Houses (Case Romane).

The castle is perched on the peninsula to the right in the distance

The donkeys!

Quick Italian Lesson:



The word donkey in Italian is asino (pronounced: ass-ee-noh) not burro, like in Spanish. Be forewarned that burro in Italian is butter, and you might be a little embarrassed if you ask to ride some butter…I am speaking from experience!

 




















The island was an important observation point during Roman times, hence the Case Romane were constructed where it was easy to observe passing maritime traffic. The sea routes between Italy and North Africa and Italy and Spain (via Sardinia) would pass Maréttimo. There is a well restored Byzantine-Norman Church adjacent to the Case Romane.

Byzantine-Norman Church

Me in the church!

Note Bene: 1

I forgot to tell you yesterday that you should buy your return ticket (unless you're spending the night on Maréttimo) at the same time you purchase your ticket to the island. Why? The ticket office is hard to locate, the hours are not regular and more often than not, there is a long line waiting when you do find the ticket office. Two years ago, we met a couple who were part of a tour group. Their group left them, and the tickets back to Sicily were sold out for the next two ferries leaving the island. Maréttimo is the furthest of the Aegadian islands and has ferries leaving less frequently than the other two. Their 3:00pm departure turned into a 7:00pm departure!





Note Bene: 2

There are several impressive grottos around the island's coast and innumerable spots for excellent swimming in pristine waters on the western coast accessible only by boat. When you get to the port of Maréttimo, there are several boat operators that are more than willing to take you out on their boat…but it will cost you!

Look at some of the other vistas from our hike...

 

Shopping Tip:  Surf the Web!

These Steve Madden Daynty's retail for $89.00...I went for the unusual colors of blue and green first because these colors where hard to come by, but the black and cognac which were more common (that is, these two colors where sold in more places), I waited on...they were on sale at Macys.com for $35...I eventually found them at Belk.com for $17.99 a piece!

Baci!

Stella Notte

 

Day 80: 06-07-2011
Shoe: Steve Madden –Daynty  

Color:  Cognac

Style: Platform Peep-Toe Clog

Heel:  5 inches (12.5 cm), Platform 1 ½ inches (3.8 cm)

Material: Leather Upper

 

* Facts on Maréttimo are from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marettimo

 

Beautiful in any color; click here to see these beauties in the Olive Green 
here to see them in Black or here, to see them in the Blue Suede!

P.S. No, I didn't actually climb the mountain in these shoes...but I did carry them with me on the hike, and I wore them from the port to the boat and on the walk from the port in Trapani back to the hotel!

Baci di nuovo! S.N.