City of Palermo Sicily

We are calling Bob "Leonardocito" because he is doing a fab job driving a stick shift in traffic avoiding the millions of Vespas (motor scooters). Everyone here has one and dont obey laws. like running through red lights and against traffic and on curbs etc. I am navigating with map and reading road signs. We need the two of to equal one italian driver. between the two of us we are surviving the drive.

Per Robert:
I was a jerk in a restaurant by accident. I didnt wait my turn to order food. the local that was there gave me a look and then looked at the owner. He insisted that I go ahead cause he thought I was in a hurry. I apologized up and down as best as I could. RJ and I got our food to go. As I was leaving the owner asked what country I was from, I responded London England and scurried off quickly.

In Palermo it was warm and sultry at 11 00 am. Parked our rental car in the middle of town and found a double decker sight seeing bus. paid 20 euro each to ride the tour bus that had ear phones explaining the city sights. Ate lunch on the go. pizza again, and again, and again. A historic sea port city is beautiful. Surprized to find a lot of bombed out buildings from world war 2 as if time stood still.


As we left the city we found trouble with our map in exiting in the right direction. 45 minutes to find main highway. got on road at 3 pm to drive along the north coast of sicily through many quaint villages. Each one proudly displaying their wares. Pottery, jewelry, linens, ceramics and carvings etc. Stopped for a gelatto in a town called Cefalu. RJ and Robert walked along the beach to cool off. Continued the drive to Messina and arrived around 9 00 pm. We found a hotel called Hotel Jolly (luckily). We will head back across the strait to Reggio Calabria. We will get on a train back to Consenza and hope to visit a small casino.

We told one of our drivers about the family casino business and Bertha was telling them how much fun we have dealing etc. and said that it would be a good side business for them too. And he said, OH NO....Mafia.

Bob logged close to 600 kilo meters in driving (what ever that equals to ).

We may be out of touch for a couple of days in the mountains without Internet. Next stop Napoli then on to Perugia.

We are all well. We only had that one night of being sick and have adjusted to the time. It is very himid and we sweat out all of our water. Mom...we are drinking lots of water and also realized we did not need to pack sweater or jackets. We love to hear all of your comments!!!! It makes us feel like home. Yvonne: I have not hair dryer or curling iron and am flying anatural. yech.

Love you all!!

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