They weren't kidding when they say that Sicily is hot hot hot in August! The first two weeks of August are the hottest in Sicily and it takes a couple of days to get used to the heat.

After spending three weeks in the States, I returned to Sicily to attend the baptism of Massimo's son, Marzio. It was a mid-August sweltering hot day making me realize that sometimes the creature comforts here at home are hard to beat, such as air conditioning.

Before leaving for Sicily, I checked with Massimo regarding bringing a sports jacket for the event. "Alfred," he said, "Bring a suit as many people will be at the reception afterward and everyone will be very dressed up."

With this in mind, I packed my best suit, shirt and tie and zipped to Sicily. Well, actually, not exactly zipped to Sicily...kind of zagged there. As usual, Alitalia (short for Always Late in Take Off and Landing) went on strike exactly at the moment of check in at Logan, so I got switched to Lufthansa...which eventually got me to Sicily...but not before an 8 hour stopover in Munich, Germany where I actually drank a glass of beer at 8 a.m. just to experience an authentic German beer.

Upon arrival in Sicily, the heat hit me like a club. 44 degrees Celsius. That's 102 degrees Farenheit. Marzio's baptism was the following day. My body had not yet adjusted to the heat and it was fighting jet lag. As I buttoned my shirt and threw on my tie, the sweat poured off me.

"Forget the dark blue shirt," I said to myself "wear the white one". Five shirts later, I jumped into the car and headed to Via Grande for the ceremony. Even though I love Sicilian churches...they are quaint, well preserved...down right holy...the one thing missing in just about all of them is an adequate air supply. The "air conditioning" consisted of a single little fan that was perched on a side altar, at the feet of Saint Anthony ....100 feet away! Looking around at the friends and family, I realized that I was the only one feeling so hot. Sicilians are used to heat and their bodies have adapted.

Every woman looked beautiful...dressed to the nines with nary a hair out of place. Every man had on a gorgeous outfit neatly tailored and pressed. Wiping the sweat which had dripped from my glasses on to the floor below I wondered why I was sweating so much. By now my shirt was drenched and almost fused to my suit jacket. My pants stuck to the bench when I got up.

After the ceremony I quietly slipped outside for a few breaths of fresh air and to wring out my shirt. My new $125 Armani tie was drenched. Admiring the vista of the setting Sicilian sun gently sliding for the night behind Mt. Etna, a sense of calm came over me, my body temperature dropped and I began to feel more comfortable. Massimo came up to me. "Alfred" he said, "Every time you come from America it always takes you a few days to adjust. Our pace of life here is much slower than in the USA. If you let the Island embrace you, you will feel good in two seconds."

There is much more to life than running around like a chicken in the go-go-go existence that I lead in the States. I have to be reminded every now and again to slow down.

"Relax, Al," I said to myself, "you're home. Have a good time tonight". Straightening my tie, I buttoned by shirt and threw on my suit coat and almost felt and looked as dapper as any.

Looking at the road below, I waved to the pigeons as they walked by – too hot to fly, then jumped in the car....off to a fabulous reception and meal at the sixteenth century Spanish castle Castello San Marco...but that's another story.........
Ciao, Al

• 6 Medium Calamari Squid
  (1 ½- 1 ¾ lb)
• Fine Dry Breadcrumbs
• 1 Clove Garlic
• Fresh Parsley
• ¼ lb. of Sicilian Toma (or other low-fat cow's milk cheese)
• Fresh Oregano & Rosemary
• Sicilian Olive Oil

1. Clean the squid throughly. Mince the heads and tentacles. Toast 1 cup of bread crumbs in a little olive oil until moist; add the mixture & cook 2 minutes.
2. Remove from heat and mix in the garlic, mince with 1/4 cup parsley; add salt & pepper to taste. Mix in the diced cheese.
3. Stuff the squid with this mixture. "Pin" the tops closed with toothpicks. Place in a lightly greased baking pan and bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Baste with a sprig of rosemary dipped in olive oil seasoned with salt & pepper. ENJOY!

La Botte Antica Trattoria Piazza Santa Domenica no. 4
Flat out the best pizza and mid- day Trattoria in Taormina. By night it becomes the haunt of movie stars. Its walls are covered with photos of the famous eating there from Woody Allen and William Defoe to United States’ Senators. The best part it that it's inexpensive.

Taormina Tel:095-094224198.
Email:info@labotte1972.it

September is my favorite month in Sicily. The harvest comes which means mouth watering fruits including fico d¡¦India, along with mushrooms and vegetables. Sicily is vegetarian heaven all month long as many pasta dishes are covered with mounds of delightful eggplant, mushroom, zucchini...you name it!

• Catania continues its year long Etna Fest with concerts, plays and cultural events scheduled weekly. Pick up a schedule of events at any newsstand.
• Giarre has the Flower Festival in nearby Trepunti all month long.
• Licodia Eubea has the Sagra dell'uve (Grape Festival) all month long.
• Milo has its huge market and wine exhibition all month long.
  Weekly festivals honoring patron saints are scheduled this month in Ramacca, Misterbianco and Mitetello in Val Di Catania.