This is a humanities travelogue that tours the key attractions of Sicily, the 'Jewel of the Mediterranean', one of the world's most fascinating travel destinations, yet still largely unfamiliar to us.
It introduces the various charms and values ​​of Sicily in detail from a humanistic perspective.

The author says that as he was finishing the first act of his life, he wanted to travel like everyone else, especially complete the Camino de Santiago, but he was starting to feel doubtful, and then Sicily, which he had held in his heart for a long time, came to him as if by fate.
And after returning from my trip, I felt compelled to write a book about the wonders and fascinations of Sicily.

Sicily is an island fourteen times larger than Jeju Island, and although it often has negative images of corruption, mafia, volcanic eruptions, and Mediterranean refugees, it is a place visited by countless tourists from all over the world in the summer.
The author strongly recommends Sicily for five reasons, emphasizing its special history, culture, and 'treasure trove of natural environments.'
From the majestic Mount Etna, Europe's highest active volcano, to stunning beaches and the emerald Mediterranean Sea, Sicily boasts a diverse landscape that will leave visitors in awe.
Moreover, it is a melting pot of cultures, with traces of various peoples, including Greeks, Romans, Arabs, and Normans, left behind over 2,700 years ago.
So, there are interesting stories scattered throughout, and there are elegant and wonderful buildings that cannot be seen anywhere else in the world.
Also, you can't miss out on the high-quality wine and delicious cuisine that Italy is known for.
Sicily is also a place of myth and art.
You can also see ancient Greek ruins and mythological sites, traces of Nobel Prize-winning authors, and filming locations of famous scenes from Sicilian movies.

The author rented a car from Palermo, the capital of Sicily, and traveled counterclockwise, completing a 1,500km circuit that took in the major cities of Marsala, Agrigento, Siracusa, Taormina, Etna, and Cefalù.
And while introducing Sicily's 'hidden gems', the author also offers his own ideas on how to spend the second half of one's life.

Now it's Sicily.
Traveling to Sicily will not only reveal unparalleled natural beauty, but will also provide you with the humanities insight and wisdom that will empower you to navigate life.

Benvenuto in Sicilia!”

As I began to conceptualize my travel plans and plan detailed itineraries, my eyes and mind began to open to the humanities, including history and art.
At that moment, a quote from someone suddenly came to mind: 'Ultimately, it is the humanities that save lives.'
My trip to Sicily was more than just enjoying the beautiful Mediterranean scenery; it was a life-changing humanities journey through the unique history, culture, and art that only Sicily can offer.

--- p.14

At that time, my trip to Sicily suddenly came up, and while planning and booking my itinerary, I read domestic and international materials and searched for information, and learned a lot of new things... (omitted)...
Traveling to Sicily was a true study, allowing me to boldly discard my vague preconceptions and explore various fields such as history, geography, people, culture, and art.

--- p.15

After visiting Sicily, I gained the confidence to live the second half of my life meaningfully and not wander.
They say there is no end to learning.
Studying something you enjoy is a watering hole that doesn't require a lot of money and provides you with wisdom and joy in life.

--- p.16

We all live with something in our hearts.
I need to take that thing out and check it out sometime.
Sicily did.
I absolutely could not miss this opportunity.
It could be said that a postcard of Heidelberg Castle that I happened to see in high school led me to learn German and later work in Germany.
--- p.21

Five Reasons to Visit Sicily

1.
You can experience the cultural heritage of mankind spanning thousands of years, from primitive times to the present day.

2.
It is steeped in various myths and legends and is full of exciting stories related to history.

3.
It is a place with a natural environment that is unparalleled anywhere in the world.

4.
You can enjoy high-quality culture and art based on history and tradition.

5.
It is home to the finest wines and a diverse and fantastic cuisine.
--- p.28~33

This place (Marsala) is also related to the unification of Italy.
For Italians, who had been divided for a long time after the fall of the Roman Empire, national unification was a distant task.
Then, after experiencing the Napoleonic Wars, the desire for a unified nation-state grew even stronger.
Garibaldi, who had dreamed of a unified Italy since his youth, landed in Marsala with a thousand volunteers called the "Thousand Red Shirts" from Genoa in May 1860 and secured Sicily and Naples.
He contributed greatly to the establishment of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861 by donating the southern region to King Victor Emmanuel of Sardinia, who led the unification of the northern region.
--- p.84

The huge hill, tangled with dry grass, olive trees, and pine trees, is filled with nothing but indifferent piles of stones and endless silence... (omitted)...
I sit on the bench in front and look.
I don't feel anything.
In this empty place, a gentle breeze blows between the ruined temples and piles of stones.
I don't know how long it has been there or why it is bent over like that, but it symbolically represents the years of hardship.
Close your eyes for a moment.
Suddenly, a commotion was heard, along with the chatter of people visiting the temple.
I opened my eyes in surprise and saw a yellow butterfly flying around me along with the silence.
No, where did that noise I just heard come from? Am I a butterfly? Am I having a butterfly dream here?
--- p.114

Through my trip to Sicily, I learned about the eventful life and works of Pirandello, a Nobel Prize winner in Literature and world-renowned author.
In particular, I recently learned that Pirandello attended the same university where I studied for two years in my youth, over 100 years ago.
--- p.132

Whenever I went on a business trip abroad, I always made sure to visit an art gallery, museum, or concert hall after finishing my official schedule.
In New York, I took an expensive taxi to see my favorite Vermeer painting, and in Washington, I ran to the Phillips Collection at closing time to see Renoir's "Luncheon on a Boat" and was the last one to leave.

--- p.166

This kind of museum visit was triggered by Johannes Vermeer's "View of Delft Houses" at an exhibition of 17th-century Dutch landscape painters held in Seoul a long time ago... (omitted)... Then, in the fall of 2011, I heard that several of his works were being exhibited at a special exhibition titled "Vermeer and Letters" in Kyoto, Japan... (omitted)... After that, I went on a pilgrimage to find his works and was able to see as many as 22 of his 36 works scattered around the world... (omitted)... My encounter with Vermeer led to an interest in and study of his life and art, which has become a somewhat comforting experience in my difficult life.
In this way, travel provides an opportunity to learn and love something.

--- p.167~168

As the night deepens, the Duomo Square becomes a harmonious place with the marble reflecting the lights, the white cathedral, and the indescribable deep blue night sky.
It was a touching moment that I will never forget.

At this time, I was reminded of a poem by American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson, who said, "If the eye is meant to see, beauty is its purpose."
I felt dizzy for a moment, so I sat down on the steps of the cathedral's outer wall and closed my eyes. Moments from my past life flashed before my eyes and then disappeared.

--- p.176

Right in front is the Ionian Sea.
It's so quiet that you can't even hear the sound of the waves.
Although the sun has not yet risen, the reddish glow across the horizon is chilling.
Ortigia is visible in the distance to the south.
It's early summer, but it's cool because it's morning.
Then the sun begins to rise.
It's a sunrise that looks like a sunset.
It is truly a strange feeling to be alone in this eternal time and space, facing the sun.
Caspar David Friedrich's "Woman at Sunrise" overlaps.
Since the ancient Greeks first set foot on this earth, celestial bodies have always risen and set like this, watching over the foolish and shallow lives of humans.

--- p.177

When we encounter indescribable landscapes or exquisite works of art, we sometimes lose ourselves for a moment or fall into a state of ecstatic absorption. Nunc stans, or the "frozen now," is, in a way, an eternal moment.
It was only by coming to Sicily that I was able to converse with the magnificent stone pillar that had stood here silently, watching over the ups and downs of history and the vain dreams and greed of mankind for over 2,500 years.

--- p.183

At dawn, my eyes opened on their own.
A faint light comes in through the curtains.
I'm a bit groggy from not sleeping for a few hours, but I have to get up to see the sunrise.
I quietly opened the door and went out onto the terrace. The sea was as calm as a mirror in the stillness and silence that was like a vacuum.
Not a single small boat is visible.
The sun hasn't risen yet, but the clouds in the distance are reddish, as if embracing the sun.
As I look at the sky that meets the sea that is gradually turning red, tears suddenly come to my eyes.
While I was lost in the intertwining thoughts of the joys and sorrows, dreams and hopes, frustrations and expectations of the days I had lived, the sun rose through the clouds.
An indescribable mystery begins to fill my heart.
Is there anything more wonderful than the beauty we see in nature?
--- p.240

Finally, the dialogue from here has encountered Antonello da Messina's masterpiece, the Annunciation... (omitted)...
When I look at the shadow of the face, the light seems like an angel coming from the left.
Rather than being surprised by the sudden appearance of the angel and the Annunciation, it seemed as if his eyes were trying to accept it as fate.

--- p.254

Since I started my public service career, the repetitive tasks and monotonous daily routine have gradually made me feel dry and tired.
Then, by chance, I came across the cheerful and elegant melody of Romantic composer Carl Maria von Weber's 'Invitation to the Ball', which made me realize that there is a new world called 'beauty'.
This sparked my interest in classical music, which in turn led to a yearning for exotic countries.
Later, when I went abroad for the first time, even though it was on a business trip, I realized how much travel enriches life.

--- p.262