Lush Sicilian Mountains

Backyards are not a thing here. Just not enough room next to the houses crammed together in stone. Don’t get me wrong —weeds grow out of every nook and cranny and people plant in pots and any square inch that can be found. But also, many families rent or buy an additional bit of land to grow their own vegetables, grapevines, olive trees - some also raise goats, chickens too. We took a walk just outside of the stone town of Bompietro to visit my cousin’s mini-farm. The area is surrounded by vast green hills. Along the roadside one can find grazing goats, almond trees, cardoons, roses, berries, herbs. One would never starve here! Almond tree and wild rose in extra.