Simeto 's valley

Hi
another part of Sicily is coming to be added to my blog.
It is a small area close to Catania, called Simeto's valley, from the name of the river Simeto.
I spent one day at the Casale del Simeto ( the site is very nice and is worth to be visited) a small bed&breakfast and restaurant as well in the valley.
We had a short trip, a speleologist guided us through not very linear footpaths (;P) among green and clayey fields. We saw a small lake (see picture) and a grass snake as well...
Then we heard also toads, but we didn't see them.
Other pictures in my photostream ... see the link on the right.

Athens

This is a post dedicated to Athens, Greece.
Last year I spent two months (June and July) in Athens. Now, I 'm in Athens again but for 2 days.
As soon as I landed I noticed that sun in Greece is different, is warmer and lighter than other countries. This enjoyed me a lot.
When arrived at office (13 o' clock more or less) I watched through window (I was at third floor) and I saw the "glittering" buildings ;). That is, most of the buildings (maybe every building in Athens) has a solar panel system installed on the ceiling. According to the sun position, the metal part of the system reflects the light, and this creates the "glittering" effect. It is nice :) to see.
Then I met people, and I realized that Greek are really similar to Italian. They are warm and simple. I like it :).
I 'm also amazing that I remember most of the streets' and areas' names, and some Greek words as well: kalimera, euphcaristo polli, signomi, avrio, parakallo, apodixi ... ;).
Unfortunately I don't have pictures to publish ... but I 'll take some not to late, who knows? ;P.

Blasco Small Combo

Hi fellows!
I 'm happy to insert a new post about music.
Yesterday, BB King pub in Biancavilla ( :P !!) hosted the Blasco Small Combo band.
The picture shows them in the pub and in the link you can find information about band and you can download two excerpts as well.
The band is composed of 2 element: Blasco, the voice and contrabass player, and Sergio, the guitarist and second voice. I really think that they seem to be an orchestra!
I found the appointment navigating the net, then invited some friends and I can say that they were a real surprise: the evening was really pleasant!
The atmosphere the band created in the pub was beautiful, most similar to a scene from "Happy days" American movie. It seemed to live an episode :).
They dress mirroring 50s and 60s' style. Both wore little ties and Blasco wore beige "clark" as shoes. I think that shoes are the only pair existing in the world :P, you cannot find that model anymore in any shop! I think he uses it only for concert ;).
Blasco, the voice, is able to create the 60s' atmosphere. His voice is also very similar to the one used in the famous American series by the band at Arnold's. He sings perfectly following lyric and in a way that seems to express pleasure, naturalness. Blasco is considered the greatest european rockabilly (see also here) contrabass player.
Looking at Blasco's hands while playing is almost amazing. Most of all the right hand, the one that plunks the strings. If you listen to "Heartbeat" or "Oh Boy!" in the link, you can listen to the speed the music goes and the battery you hear is not part of the band as you can see from the picture, but it the effect Blasco creates plucking strings! He is amazing! He seems to play two instruments simultaneously and perfectly synchronized.
At the end of the concert, the last excerpt involved also a sax player in pub. He started playing with the band and I enjoyed to be involved in the players' pleasure to create music and spread emotions.
Nice evening! Hopefully I 'll post something about music like this soon.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter !!
Is an happy easter for you? Hopefully....