Sferracavallo - a very active seaside fishing village since the 15th Century, built around a gulf bordered by Capo Gallo and Monte Billiemi.
We arrived here and the only good thing about the air bnb we booked, was the view! Once we got over jetlag and the initial shock of arriving ... we had been talking about this for 12 months ... now it was reality and we were actually here!!!
We looked around, enjoyed the "village feel" and were excited for the fresh fish available except Deane is allergic to shellfish and the fish is very expensive! People are very friendly and as its a summer tourist destination, they are welcoming of foreigners!
Home for next 12 months
We quickly looked for somewhere to live and found this near new, fully furnished one bedroom home availabe. We negotiated the terms, signed the contract and we move in on 1st April. Its in Sferracavallo, 5 mins walk to the village centre (bakery & butcher daily) 5 mins on motorbike to the beach. A 20 minute train ride to Palermo City is only 8 minutes walk from our house. No sea view but there's grass & a view of the rocks! Great news ... the owner has a one bedroom unit available next door for visitors!!!
Italian Language School
Laura our teacher & friend from 2020 arranged for us to return to our old school to drop off copies of all passports, visa and other paperwork required. Afternoon school was available straight away 3.30pm to 7.30pm Mon to Fri. Deane asked if they could please fit us in to morning school 8.30am to 12.30pm Mon to Fri but they said it was full until September.
Another teacher from 2020 came along and said no, please, you must help them, please put them into morning school-we started school today!
HADIM
We bumped into Hadim in the street, great to see him to sit, chat and enjoy a caffe!
He is still stuck in Palermo, nothing has changed for him since he arrived in Palermo 3.5 years ago. Hadim still has no work or documents to travel!
TEMPLE arrived in Palermo 5 years ago. He now has Nigerian passport but still no Italian papers or work!
His eldest daughter died in 2020, he hasnt met his 5 year old daughter. His wife in Nigeria decided she had had enough - she has left him & his daughter in the village in Nigeria. Temple has now met Joy in Palermo.
Permesso di Soggiorno - Italian Visa
The paperwork is all completed and lodged, we are hoping for an appointment before the end of April, this starts the process again for residency, praying they will give us a 2 year residency visa this time
Great to see friends from 2019-2020
Enjoying some of our favourites
Enjoying Hiking around Capo Gallo & the Nature Reserve
we have joined the Sicily trekking group, so when we get a motorbike and can drive ourselves around, we may do some day treks
SO THANKFUL FOR:-
Safe travels from NZ to Palermo
New house for 12 months
Italian Visa paperwork completed & lodged
Italian School classes have started
Reconnecting with friends and immigrants
Meeting new English speaking missionaries in Palermo
