It was a very proud town. A place where women were never seen working
in the groves or in any type of farm work. Women were not allowed to walk or travel alone, Anyone with deceased family member, wore black for many years.A few women worked in the lemon packing houses but anyone that considered themselves middle class never worked outside of their home.
Hardly any automobiles, a few motorcycles, if a family wanted to go and spend time in their farm houses, they will all get on horse drawn carriages fill them with chairs and travel.
The men went to work the groves by foot or on a donkey, occasionally on horses.
They would take a jug of water, a loaf of bread and either tomatoes, or a piece of cheese to eat for lunch. The favorite breakfast was panelle with ricotta. I can still smell the aroma of the fresh bread and of the panelle
fried in olive oil . The ricotta was extra.
The view from the road by the hospital, was breathtaking. on clear days you could see the island of Ustica. The air was clear and with the exception of the few small farm houses the only thing you saw where
the vast spread of lemon groves with a sprinkling of olive trees.
In the spring time the sweet smell of the zagara (lemon flower)was incredible.
