*4 November 2023* A few weeks ago, Elisabeth and I spent ten days with good friends in Sicily. It was our first time in that part of the world, and they give us a rich plateful of experiences of this fascinating island which has stood in the crossfire between big empires for four thousand years. We tasted in depth the history and culture, as well as the food and wine! ![[greek_theatre_taormina.jpeg]] *At the Greek Theatre in Taormina* Perhaps even more than all those experiences, what remains with me if the quality of our hosts. It was the first time we had lived with them for any length of time on their own turf and revealed to me more of the special qualities they have. In no particular order, I would highlight - Their quality of attentiveness, full attention, presence in the moment; - Their friendliness, and outgoingness, towards everyone they meet, and especially their neighbours; - The interest they show in what the other person is interested in (even when it may not in fact interest them quite so much!); - Their positive, appreciative approach, in contrast to my often-skeptical one; - Their curiosity, their insatiable appetite to learn and discover. Perhaps I am drawn to these qualities because they are ones I feel I often lack, and aspire towards. Be that as it may, they have stuck in my mind, and I am thankful to them for exemplifying these for me.