Anja Tufina

While there are hundreds of languages across the world, it’s often hard to find the right word to describe an incredible experience. Language barriers can make communication difficult, but when there is a breathtaking view to admire silence can be even better. Enjoying the beauty a place has to offer does not require a common language, but is something everyone in the world has the capacity to enjoy. Seeing the the sun glisten colors of red or walking through ruins made in 400 B.C. is a reality that does not need any explanation. It is said a picture is worth a thousand words, but an experience is worth even more. Exploring the island of Sicily, from The Valley of the Temples to small towns in the hillside, was one of these cherished experiences.

With such a diverse, ancient history a trip to Sicily is truly a visit to dozens of different cultures. Sicilian culture is unique in and of itself, but was built on a foundation of multiple different rulers. The first to rule Sicily were the Phoenicians followed by the Greeks, Romans, Muslims, Normans, Muslims again, Normans again, and then the Spanish. Today, Sicily is an autonomous region of Italy, yet it remains a very distinct place. Only three kilometers from the Italian mainland, Sicilians have agricultural and literary aspects that set their region a part. For instance, the sonnet, a well known poetic form, is said to have been first invented in Sicily before the technique was adapted across the world. Additionally, the land of Sicily is known for being extremely fertile and therefore is home to a range of produce from olives, to oranges, to wine grapes. After having been ruled by so many different people and acting as a base for such worldly products, Sicily is a place where anyone can find comfort. Without knowing the language, it is possible to enjoy the beauty the land has to offer as it is a place that so well understands diversity.