Sicily

First stop was Palermo.  Found my way from the airport to my location on bus.  I was a little uneasy about that as I arrived at 10 at night.  It was easy however, and I actually felt completely safe.  I found the right bus and it went straight to the town center.  My host met me at the bus stop and walked me to the air b & b.  It was right in the middle of old town.  Went on a fabulous free walking tour the next day.  It was fabulous.  Palermo has some very beautiful architecture.

We went to this beautiful church that has a kitchen that makes the most well known cannoli.  It was yummy!

During the walk I learned that the opera there was having a special performance that very evening.  It was the final competition night featuring the best young oper singers from around the world. I decided right there that I wanted to go.  While on the walking tour I met a woman in a wheelchair that travels solo.  She has a blog… “Beyond the Chair”. Talk about impressive!! I will check out her blog and she said she’s also on Facebook.  

Well, got my ticket for the opera.  Dressed up as much as I could and went to the beautiful opera house Teatro Massimo.  It was beautiful.  I felt soo lucky to be there.  We even got to vote for the audience favorite.  The  prize money was given by the sanitation company.  You may know that mafia is involved with sanitation department.  I also noticed how most all of the dignitaries with the opera upper management were men. It was fabulous and a very special night. 

The next day I went to the “No Mafia” exhibition.  Learned how the mafia has had an influence in Palermo and still today has a life.  We don’t use the word mafia, but in many places in America and elsewhere there is corruption. Corruption is corruption no mater what you call it. All about control, power and money.

Well… the food scene in Palermo is out of this world.  I have learned about pizza, arancini, pasta, seafood and see food!  Anyway the food is delicious!

On my way to Cantania next and to do my Mt Etna climb for my birthday. Took the bus from Palermo to Cantania.  When I got to Cantania I went to the transfer bus and waited to catch it to my place. That was an adventure! When the bus came the driver said I needed a ticket and to get the ticket in the station. Well the station had no one to speak to… only machines.  So I asked train station workers.  They said to buy the  ticket in front.  Went looking again to no avail … then finally I saw a man selling tickets.  Got my ticket from him and proceeded to the bus.  While waiting on the bus I met a girl from America.  Then all the sudden everyone on the bus left to go to another bus.  We quickly go to ask someone and they said to go to the another bus.  Well… finally started going and got off at the right stop then walked about 15 min to my place.  The lady met me and showed me to my room.  Nice big and spacious, but had about 5 floors to get up, but i am used to that by now. After walking around the area I discovered I could have and should have just walked from the station instead of taking the bus. I would have got there much sooner than waiting around for the bus, but I really wanted to attempt to catch the local bus.  So now I know… but if it only takes 15/20 minutes or so I am better off just walking. 

Cantania is quite the place.  Lots more graffiti there than in Palermo.  Had a free walking tour and learned alot more about Cantania. They were under Spanish, Roman amd Greek control and they have incorporated much from those cultures.  Their architecture has all those influences.   It is the capital of Sicily.  Often referred to as the “black city” because some of its building are black from the soot and ashes of Mt Etna.  The bottom of the buildings are made of basalt.  Basalt being resistant to damage from volcanic lava.  The people of Cantania have undergone volcanic eruptions and earthquakes and have rebuild their city over and again. 

Cantania has respect for Mt. Etna.  They actually call her Mama Etna and her “babies” are the little upsprouting volcanos that occur around her due to the pressure.  Mt Etna continues to erupt but it is a slow flowing type of eruption, unlike Mt Vesuvius, so the people live in harmony with her.  Tomorrow I will hike Mt Etna for my birthday…. I am excited!