My "Big Night In Taormina" and our fabulous Best of Sicily In Eleven Days tour.
https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/italy/sicily
I am Robert Kaye. Our exciting journey with my lovely wife of 38 years, Deborah, was a fun filled roller coaster ride from Palermo to Catania with stunning and captivating stops in between.
From the gritty, narrow, energizing (ok, noisy) streets of Palermo, to the fascinating antiquities of the Valley of the Temples near Agrigento, and the captivating coastal beauty of Taormina, as well as the clouds of steam from the crater of Mt. Etna, our tour captured all the history, art, charm, delicacies, natural beauty and real world experiences that Sicily has to offer!
But, in addition to all that, the story of my "international debut" as a rock drummer is a tale to tell. Taormina is one of the most scenic towns on the Sicilian coast. The main street is lined with typical shops and restaurants and piazzas. One evening when we were strolling down the main walking street looking for a dinner choice, I noticed a rock band warming up and getting ready to play at a restaurant next to a piazza. I listened for a while, and they were quite good. But, I also noticed the drumset was a brand of which I didn't recognize. As any musician will tell you, gear is a passion, whatever you play. So, my curiosity got the best of me and I casually dropped over JUST to ask the drummer what brand of drumset he was playing (I swear that was all I had in mind!)
I casually asked the drummer about his set and he explained it was a homemade type. But, the singer overheard us and leaned over and asked me if I played? I answered that I did play the drums, and then out of the blue she said "you have to play with us!!"
I tried to decline (I really did, I swear!), but she insisted. I then asked the drummer if he minded and he also insisted. Soooo, I asked what do you want to play? She suggested "No Woman No Cry" the classic Bob Marley tune, which I knew I could do. And, next thing I know I am having my "International Music Debut" on an incredibly lovely, warm and for me spectacular night in Taormina, Sicily. What a way to make new friends and really connect with such kind Sicilian people.
Fortunately for me one of our tour mates was watching the whole thing and recorded a video of me playing with the band. Thanks to her for capturing this fantastic, unforgettable memory for me!! (I only wish I could upload the video here!)
The rest of the trip was truly just as memorable (well maybe a very close second). From the fascinating salt harvesting tour in Trapani, to the unbelievable mosaics of Romana del Casale, and all the unforgettable sites and sounds (not to mention all the incredible food and wine, and group cookie making) on our way through Syracusa, Ortygia, Mt. Etna and Catania, it was an unbelievably wonderful trip. And Rick's personal What's App video call at the final dinner where he personally spoke to each person on the tour was just icing on the Cannoli!!