YOLO Journal Issue 12 - Flipbook - Page 48
next eight hours waiting for a tow. We
befriended some waitresses at a nearby
restaurant, one of whom was dating the
local mechanic—without her help, we
might still be there, waiting. Swimming
has taught us that lasting beauty can be
discovered with perseverance and an
open mind. Outside of Noto, we left the
car thinking our destination was just
100 yards away. We had no water or food
with us as we searched for over an hour;
I was shocked that our young ones didn’t
lose their minds. At last, over the peak
of the next ledge, we saw a glorious body
of water where a few local Italians sat
in the shade. The grotto was a hidden
paradise: crystal-blue water surrounded
by warm red rock formations, jutting
from the deep water’s edge like diving
boards. We couldn’t believe it. We
extended our stay in Noto and went
back every day.
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