Sicily - Sailing Adventure, Local Culture, and Mummified Corpses!! [Ep. 113]

So I was just watching this before bed for a few min. Now I will turn the light off see the clock at Midnight and try hard to get that little girls image out of my head. My feeling no problem at all with the practice. But it's haunting. And somewhat unsettling. Certainly can't improve on Spence. To sleep perchance to dream?

Spence Downs says it best.......

I think, with no intended slight to any party, that the reaction to the catacombs is truly a mirror into each persons own feelings about death. I think personally that it’s essential to be at peace with mortality to truly understand and enjoy life, but I also respect the notion that not all people feel that way and enjoy the exploration of that subject. I would humbly suggest substituting the feeling of dread with happiness for those bodies that they lived the lives that they had and for their survival as more than soil to this point as a way to cope with the admittedly gruesome nature of the exhibit. Many of us will be long forgotten that long after our deaths so in a way this could be considered a lucky circumstance. I think certainly, if for no other reason, the place should remain open as a window to the history and traditions of our species, if not as a tribute to the final chapter of every life and a window to explore it in our own ways. I will, all the same, choose cremation when given the choice myself. :)

Riley, just a thought: maybe your brush with mortality gives you a different perspective or feeling about seeing death on display. It certainly gave you a passion for life which is in direct opposition to what that place represents. I too don’t want to think about death; let’s live and love.

Did it smell? That's what I was wondering the whole time? Like did the place stink like rotten bodies? You should go see the "Body World" exhibits on display around the world. Completely blows your mind. Also, I was wondering about the hickie on Elayna's neck too. Can't wait to see that fish!!!!

I saw a swordfish catch in next week's episode preview... how exciting!

In the debate on the hanging corpse's (I said more than enough methinks) I forgot to mention the awful sight of the plastic rubbish in the harbour,in these days of recycling there is no need to dump stuff anywhere including land.its laziness and unacceptable, insulting to our neighbours and to the beautiful planet that is our only home..

Different cultures treat death and dead bodies differently. In my experience when someone dies you instantly sense and feel they are gone and the body in front of you is just a lifeless body. The person you new has gone. Great ep good to make people think.

I see a nightmare in my future.

I'm back !

Always appreciate the updates. I must have missed your mention of timing for the east coast journey. I currently live in Charleston, SC and think La Vagabond would make a beautiful contribution to the scenery. Should you decide to stop in, my girlfriend and I think it would be great to meet you guys. Maybe Elayna can help show her how to make chocolate properly (PLEASE)?!? Riley, you and I can find a wine or beer that compliments it, may have to sample a few ;)

i respect and understand all of your views on death, and many of the comments above have very good points. but i think the catacombs is an old european tradition that the wealthy and prominant figures in society would use to come back to their passed away loved ones to pay respect, similar to the tradition of graveyards and grave stones. but with catacombs and embalmed mummies have a more intimate sight to "reconnect" with your loved ones that have passed away compared to a grave or headstone. there are many cultures such as Mexican, Malaysian, Korean, Indian, Japanese, Chinese, and Cambodian that celebrate death, and see it as the doorway to the next realm of existence. they see it as a transition a moving on from this physical reality to the next, and they celebrate that their dead lived a good life here and are excited for their souls to move onto the next stage. i feel like Western culture has tried to protect society from the grief of loosing a loved one and made death a taboo subject. a perfect example of how western culture has made death taboo is the proccessing of our meats, when you go to a restaurant or a grocery store to purchase meat (i know elayna is vegetarian) you never have to experience the animal that you are getting your protein from die, and this is how our society has been able to keep the death of plants and animals out of our intimate lives and really separate humans from the realization that death is an integral part of life. i agree with Brook above that our physical bodies are just tools that our souls get to use to experience this reality, they are tools that we get to use to learn the lessons and grow in this Reality, this physical realm we live in is just a phase in the grand scheme of our existence. sorry for getting philosophical on you just giving my 2 cents, Great Episode BTW i love it when you experience things and ask us questions that bring up great conversations. i hope to eventually meet you 3 and have a sit down to discuss these types of things, maybe even while sailing... regards Jaro

Recently my views on death have changed after my father passed away. Once someone passes, I feel like what is left behind, our body, is/was simply a tool that our mind controlled. Like our bodies are more of just a vehicle that our mind has been driving around all these years. Troyer said it well, We are only here for such a small amount of time in the big picture of things.. we need to make the most of the time we have and enjoy it........ so let's go sailing.

That was a fabulous vid! Seeing the family home, the area, listening to your thoughts, seeing the trash in the dock; I agree with Riley about don't go into the combs; I also agree with Elayna that aging, suffering & death are a part of life & must be dealt with in a positive way. My thoughts & prayers are with you three as you show me parts of the world I will never see. Luv ya all!

Daniel's comment really expresses my view on the matter. Death is part of living, and trying to ignore it does not alter the fact. However, I don't think I would tour the place with young children.

Great video. I doubt whether Occupational Health & Safety would let the Catacombs be open in Australia. If you go, don't touch anything!!! Looking forward to more adventures guys. 👍

I enjoyed the ep up until the hanging corpses on public display,I totally agree with Riley,its just unnecessary to have these dead people on display to remind us of our mortality or for entertainment,something to do to pass the time.That place should be closed down and the corpses incinerated and the ashes scattered. would you want your mum and dad,your siblings children hanging up there rotting for strangers to gawp at? we are spiritual BEINGS having a human experience and are not bound by the physical,once the body dies it should be disposed of in a decent and loving manner.there is too much emphasis on our physical bodies,name and form as being the only reality.I would rather remember my loved ones as they were in life than a dried up corpse,we have to look at this in a personal manner to fully understand this particular bizarre place is not acceptable to human dignity. Its bad food for mind to see horrible things,think of all the traumatised soldiers and rescue service personnel and the bereaved who have a terrible time with PTSD. Elayna, would you want to see Riley hanging there all dried up shriveled (I know he's like that anyway but no need to hang him up)

Memento mori, Riley 😬

In regards to the catacomb totally respect all views on it with the crew. Im with ya Riley glad you stood your ground...these things affect individuals in different ways amd you all displayed deep feelings of the experience how confronting... a quick reply to this cant express enough great vid crew

Keep it real here. Liked the Video. I have a Question re: Mediterranean Sea. What measures and means exist to restore the Fish life and rehabilitation zones, " Import Magrove's from Australia - Mango's in the Mediterranean " It seems the whole region is fished out. Why is there no visible rejuvenation. Ive been noting Riley has been commenting on the " lack of Fish " Big Region, Big money where is Natures rejuvenation - Maybe they need more Hindu Monks there - European Christian Culture needs to support this. They can afford it. Cheers Pete

I think there was a time when I would not have lasted a minute in the catacombs. But after watching my mom and husband both die of cancer in the last five years, looking a lot like those figures, day after day, week after week, month after month, somehow never getting quite enough morphine from the doctors, and graciously, stoicly suffering with dignity, I think now I could sleep in those catacombs overnight and wake up rested and happy, and go eat a big breakfast.

Its OK Riley to have an opinion and feelings in these things. I also struggle with the displayed body aspect, in particular that the very same people who set these things up go through the religious rubbish of "RIP" (rest in peace ) then dig one up and pin you to a wall. Oh well, thats what I call - the human condition. Go kindly.

riley you could have walked out when you saw the first one, i think the intrigue got the better of you.

I too am with Riley on this one.... yes death is a part of life and we need to acknowledge that but I don't see the need to be entertained by something like this.... of course everyone is entitled to their opinion, it's the same with overly gory movies and the like.... just because it happened and it's part of history doesn't mean we should find entertainment in it.... my 2 cents worth..... funny how out of everything in that video, all anyone is commenting on is the catacomb :-)

I'm with you Riley in that it is appalling. The Egyptian mummies, the Peruvian mummies, the Syrian mummies, the crypt under La Cite, and these Capuchin mummies always creep me out. I get that it is meant as a loving memorial (as I am descended of recent Sicilianos,(palermo))but it creeps me out. If others want to visit it, OK, but I'll pass when I get to Sicily.

I don't know if your timing was deliberate? but its halloween here today in New Zealand, double spooky

This is exactly what I love about you guys! With the risk of backlash, you share enough so that we share the experience. All the thoughts and feelings just places us closer to being there. You all are awesome! As for me, I am not sure I would want to visit, but I find it fascinating that those people actually wanted to buried that way.

I'm just glad I have extra booze in the house. Maybe with enough the images will leave my head. No more PLEASE.

Crazy stuff...I can't really relate to it because I wasn't there...

Talk about respect for the dead...what on earth did they charge for that excursion? The kids were appalling! Anyway you lovely's onto the next adventure! Hugs and warm winds always!!

With Riley on this one... We have evolved beyond this... It's a matter of respect.

I think I'd agree with Riley. To me its unnatural to go see bodies out as a display. Although it made for a great Halloween episode. My next question is when do we see the episode where Riley cracks his mellon? Not that I want to see an injured Riley, just curious to know what happened. Take care you guys and looking forward to your next video. Cheers

What I’m about to say will probably get me in trouble with you guys but, I saw the whole thing and mixed feelings when I kept seeing the dead cow sculpted as art and hanging in your salon. Death should be the final act of every creature and never memorialized as a side show.

Have either of you ever been to Pompeii? Similar display, but instead of bodies, it's the shell of what was once a person ... a moment in time, captured in all its gory glory. I appreciate Elayna's point of view, that life and death are natural and shouldn't be hidden from view ... however, I can also empathize with everyone who thinks putting death on display is a bit too much. I'm still not quite sure of the Sicilian motivation behind such a display: religious, ceremonial, tradition; but, many cultures approach death very differently. If this display was art, then it did exactly what it was supposed to do ... make you think, and evoke an emotional response; albeit, the response could be positive or negative. Riley, I applaud your courage to experience something that made you uncomfortable, to speak your mind about it, and to grow from it.

Riley, I completely get your feeling. It's funny but when the text came up during the video that said there were kids back there I thought to myself if I was in your shoes I would be gone. I understand the magnetism of a display like that but don't feel my life would be changed somehow for the better by seeing it. Since it won't likely change my life for the better, why do it. I can feel humble, minuscule, mortal, fragile, insignificant and also recognize the value of life without the visual (or visceral) reminder. I'll be in Sicily next year for a week as part of a 3-4 week Italy stay and don't think I'll be visiting this particular location...