Sheilaclapkin's Blog;

Today was our walking tour of Catania and we awoke to a downpour.  It lasted throughout our entire walking tour.  Okay, so they ordered a bus for us, but we did much walking in the center of town, rain and all.  We went to an open air market, mostly meat, cheese and vegetables. Of course they had erected large umbrellas for their customers. Did you know that they have beautiful purple broccoli that is delicious and red oranges that make a deep tasting and hearty  juice. They turn these brilliant colors because  there is a 20 degree temperature difference between day and night. Catania is at the base of Mt. Etna which accounts for the temperature differences and the color changes.

Catania is beautiful and a wonderful city. The people are exceptionally warm, generous and gracious. The city is a gathering of many cultures past and present.

On our own free time, we did try to visit the Prince of Catania, who entertains visitors from all over the world from all walks of life.  We absolutely could not find the right building. Well, we will have to make an appointment for our next visit.  If you would like to host a meeting and or a banquet in his palace, he will oblige.

Our afternoon tour was to Taormina, a beautiful sea side village on the Ionian Sea.  Not only is the whole town beautiful, the main street charming, but it has a unique place of great interest which is the ruins of a Greek Theater. It is one of the most famous Sicilian monuments in the country. It was an honor to be taken there and spend time in this spot.  They still use this theater in the summer when evenings are warm and they invite top performing artists to perform. It is capable of seating 5,000 spectators. It is my favorite ruin and monument to date.

We did quite well in the rain today, but it is uncomfortable to get soaking wet.

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