Blogs from Sicily, Italy, Europe - page 55

We left Marsciano Dec 4 for a 20 hour train ride through Rome and Naples to Sicily. We rode the train through the night. At about 5am we reached Villa San Giovanni at the toe of Italy. i watched in wonder as the train we were on was broken apart and loaded onto a ferry to cross the water to Sicily. Apparently Italy wanted to build a bridge but it would be too costly and with the constant seismic activity in the area it would not be worth the expense so if you want to cross from the mainland to sicily whether on foot, by car, or on a train you have to take a ferry. This crossing however made our train two hours late. We passed by mount etna and eventually made it to the ... read more

We are in Italy. So far everything (except accomodataion) has been cheaper than Croatia (though im sure this will change as we go north), we have been enjoying the food (mainly pastries) and the cost of everything. Sarah is soo good at french and spanish (and italian is similar to spanish) that she practically speaks Italian. I understand most of what sarah says to people because she has taught me some words but when people reply to her I have no idea what they say and she manages to pull purpose out of most of it, I am very impressed. The terrain is beautifull (very hilly and mountainous) though the cities are ugly (we have only been to big ones so far, Bari and Palermo). Yesterday there was a traffic jam in the city and it ... read more

So, today set off to the most touristy town of the region, Taormina. Didnt expect much..thought it would just be another medieval town... Took the bus there and WOWOW.. Didnt know it was on a hill...and the view was superb!!!!!!!! If I came in the summer...that would be very nice!! There is this island down by the sea and people swim out from the coast...just looks great!!!! The weather was gloomy tho...so the heavy waves were dominating the coast...which made the view more dramatic! Anyways, got up there and was gonna go to the Greek Theatre there... its very famous for the view up on the hill, right inbewteen the sky and the sea, overlooking Mt. Enta.....but.... it was glooomy....couldnt see Mt Enta.....and...6 Euros....god..I am so cheap..WAHHAAAAA! so didnt go in... Walked around the town.....have this ... read more

so, i have finally pinned myself down for long enough to sit and write a new entry. im in sicily at present, i think i mentioned that i was on my way here whilst writing and sitting in that lovely little airport in london. well here i am. sicily. a town called palermo to be exact. a town where no one speaks english (and i mean no one) and traffic lights act as only a suggestion, not an actual law. beautiful beautiful. there is a magic here, i can feel it. being somewhere so embedded with such an intense culture is a truly stunning thing to behold. how can i even begin to explain what i see when i step out of my hotel every morning? even the everyday, mundane details of life are not mundane ... read more

Our first excursion was a trip to visit Mt. Etna. Really very remarkable...I felt as if we stepped off the ship and took a bus to the moon! Mt. Etna is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, with an eruption most recently in September. Apparently, although it erupts frequently, the lava flow is very slow, so it is not considered particularly dangerous to inhabitants,as they have plenty of notice to get out of the way. It does take out pretty much anything in it's path, and it was amazing how the locals just keep building right on top of the lava...making pretty little stone gardens and patios, etc. by chipping away the hardened aftermath (wouldn't you love to see their insurance premiums!). ... read more