Sicilia, that three legged island in the middle of Mediterranean sea and part of Italy. It’s a place where sun can be relied on during summer, where things feel honest and openly shared the way they really are. Place where what’s put on display is the way it is. No push-pull, no hiding, no polishing, no smoothing and sugar coating. No management of an image to fulfill someone’s expectations. Many people believe they live this way, but in Sicily that’s natural reality and no one even thinks about that. It’s not managed, it’s natural, rooted and honest. Sicilians will let you be the true and honest person you really are, they respect that, it’s their natural character and a way how to move with time. Time will tell anyway, nothing can be hidden in this world so what’s the purpose of covering? Answer for yourself. Sicilians know there is none. They live it, generation after generation. Unbelievably preciously normal. That’s the way it is.

Many tourists have expectations – I totally get that. You pay your hard earned money once a year so you expect. Well, it’s up to you what exactly you expect, it’s your decision to make and your own responsibility. Again – this is how Sicilians see world. It wasn’t their decision that you have chosen to come to Sicily this year. No one is forcing anyone to do anything so there’s in fact no obligation to bend, comfort or polish nor hide. It’s that easy to explain.

So if you are after honest and reliable summer sun, food made by hands of real honest people, beautiful nature, warm crystal clear sea that’s welcoming you to enjoy, that’s the right place to go. If you have expectations from others to bend or move according to your own wishes and expectations I would recommend to go elsewhere. Not that Sicilians are not accommodating or kind, they are far from that. But what creates friction often is the gap between “I thought and I want…” and “That’s the way it is”. The gap between images and reality might be real and unfortunately often is and it’s up to you to choose for yourself if you’re ready to take that step and experience that. Guests are always welcomed, Sicilians are curious, chatty, happy with things as they are (most of the time, if not they will do something with it or adjust themselves), kind and trustworthy – once something is agreed, it’s agreed. Promessa é promessa. But be aware that just once. It works in that moment and it’s each side’s responsibility how to handle that and which direction they will decide to move with it. Any decision will be respected, whether you decide to stay, leave, be honest, lie, cancel the agreement, change your opinion, cover, hide, run away without single word, move the same direction or totally opposite one… simply whatever will come from your side afterwards will be respected and life will move on accordingly. That’s the way it is. Another thing is that many people think they can handle “no” with ease and respect. Well, this is another thing to be prepared to be tested. Respect goes both ways and applies to agreement the same way it applies to disagreement no matter your position, wealth, expectations or imagination.

Words – well, words are a welcomed addition to people’s communication, but once they don’t match actions they don’t mean much. You can’t trick Sicilians by any type of words in any language once your actions, voice, body language and feeling you create don’t match them. They hear you yet once words feel off they become just noise. And more importantly- unnecessary noise. Again – that’s the way it is.

Trust – that goes hand in hand with all above. Sicilians like to trust, there is no better feeling than feeling that the other person is real, that what’s happening is real and honest. That’s the point of any encounter. Not necessarily nice, pleasant or sweet, just real and honest. Why? Because only with things clear between people life can move on. To Sicilians it’s necessary. But it happens just once. Once something is off you will start to feel the difference once trust is gone. The difference is real, that’s what is happening so again there’s no reason to hide it. Something changed, something is different, something is in the air. That’s it. Sicilians don’t even think about it, it’s just happening. It’s not their willingly chosen way. It just is happening this way.

So to summarise it – if you decide to spend your holiday somewhere to be treated as someone above others or to have your expectations met to the last point to feel good and money well spent, you really might consider going elsewhere. If you are ready to meet honest reality on every step and you are ready for unexpected, chose Sicily as this is what it has to offer.

Driving – many people say driving is crazy in Italy and Sicily is even worse. Well, again – it appears let’s say creative but once you understand Sicilian point of view where “we all just want to get somewhere and really- no one is after crashing their car here” you will feel more relaxed. How you drive is up to you, how someone else drives is up to them. Just remind yourself they know what they are doing, they are all more than ready to be responsible for whatever they decide, they don’t need you to manage, judge or give opinions where none was asked for. Just mind your own car and they will mind theirs. Simple as that. Just don’t be shocked or scared that they really do what they decided without asking for permission and we all will be fine. I think driving shows Sicilian point of worldview the best possible way – they decide, they act, they take responsibility for their decisions. None of anyone else’s business. It’s really that simple yet can be shocking for some. Just breathe, it’s ok, other tourists were also fine, you can be too.