Wednesday 19 June 2013

CV - sights / special places of interest (that aren't mentioned in tourist guides)

Last week I went to Aspromonte, in Calabria to work in the field.

We crossed the Messina strait to go there from Catania

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The landscapes are stunning

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we met great people

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it was hot but breezy

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and there were flowers and insects

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Unfortunately this beautiful place is not a touristic area, it sits in the middle of lands dominated by organized crime, and even though the people you meet are really great, it is not a completely "safe place" (do not mistake me, if you go there nothing will happen, and you'll have a good time). It saddens me so much that today in this country there are places where people do not have the same rights and opportunities as in the rest of the country, and my heart explodes when I see such beauty left to itself and exposed to savage exploitment, in the hands of few who oppress the majority.
Corner view is a weekly appointment hosted by Francesca at Fuoriborgo, where lovely participants from all over the world gather together once a week to share incredible ideas and experiences.

11 comments:

simply bev said...

I'm so glad you had your camera with you on this day. These photos are beautiful!

simply bev said...

And I keep meaning to tell you that I love your cover photo too!

Alla said...

what a shame, it's such a gorgeous place. I thought the mafia was shut down pretty much everywhere in Italy?

Menthe Blanche said...

It seems incredible that this place is not touristy, it's so beautiful! This organized crime is a real scourge .... we are in XXI century and it still exists ... I really hope that will change soon. I think one day I will go to Calabria and Sicily, one of my grandmothers was from this place so I would like to visit it :)

gis said...

you should go soon! It is gorgeous, full of history, with great people and SAFE. Please, do not mistake the words of my post, organised crime exists everywhere, even where you are right now, it is mostly a financial thing. But there are also places where it can influence your life, even though it usually is NOT visible to most of the people who live in these places and to all passers by.

Tzivia said...

It's hard to believe there is anything but love and kindness in a place of such beauty. Thank you for providing a complex picture through your stunning photos and accompanying words.

tanĂ¯a said...

Wow, what a breathtakingly beautiful area! I wonder how criminality can grow in such a stunning surrounding, it's really a shame and hard to believe. It's good you mentioned those crime circumstances, we should keep our eyes open, but don't worry too much. It's exactly like you said: crime can happen everywhere, for instance, there was a shooting in my town last monday...bikers' troubles...of course it's close, but usually non-involved are safe, so no need to stop going out.
My parents, aunt and uncle have been to Silicy and loved it. They met very friendly people there and had a wonderful time.

likeschocolate said...

Fantastic photos! Bringing back memories of my trip to Sicily last summer!

Francesca said...

so true (and your comment too).

Kristin said...

A dream of mine to do with the car for a long road trip through Italy. From top to bottom, from left to right. I want to see what you show here.

nadine paduart said...

cheers, what a mixed feelings post! in a way, good it isn't touristy, so it remains beautiful and a bit wild. on the other hand... i know what you mean...
n♥
ps - i love your hat and your cheeky smile in the other post!!