Early morning musings

---

It's 5.15 am in the morning and my unfamiliar surroundings are dark. I am awake. My tiredness is gone. The room is warm, but the air con is activated in bursts automatically, so it is quite bearable. Our hotel is called Porta Felice (Gate of Happiness?) and surrounding it are massive stone buildings, some more dilapidated than others. My first impressions of Palermo are jumbled, much like my brain. It has been buffeted by the endless torture that is long haul flying and the mind numbing madness of waiting in airports for a total of about 32 hours all up. Thankfully, that part of travel is like childbirth; eventually, you forget it and wallow in the joy of the prize it brings.

When we left Adelaide, it was cold, wet and grey. That was on another planet. That planet is called "Winter". I am now on Planet Summer. The air started to feel hot in Dubai (our transit stopover). It continues to feel warm here in Sicily, though more nicely so. I also know it is summer because the bodies I see around me are all burnished in varying tones of bronze and copper. Whoever said Italy is a predominantly Catholic country was mistaken. These people are sun worshippers. They have marinated themselves in baths of sunshine and now they too shine. I cannot stop staring at the skin tones all around me. They are glorious! (I am sorry Cancer Council; I realise I speak heretically).

Our arrival at the Punto Raisi airport was spectacular. Well, I mean the scenery was. The runway upon which we landed was close enough to the deep sapphire toned Mediterranean I felt I could have let my fingers dip into its waters, if only I could have reached down. On the othe side, to our right, were towering monolithic stone peaks that seemed to glow in the sun's glare. It was quite breathtaking.

Our drive into the city proved instructive. We picked up dinner tips from the driver and he explained the road rules here. Although rules exist, these are interpreted by the locals as being merely "suggestions" of how to behave while on the road. Having driven on the island before, I know this. I will be tested once again in a few days when we must venture away further south. God help me.

Our first meal at "da Padre Aldo" was not fabulous but had enjoyable aspects (the plump oysters, delicious anchovies and a fish stock that was to die for) however our actual fish called "cernia" (groper) was undercooked. The best part of the experience was sitting there, on the street (!) as cars made their way between us and the trattoria facing us, with assembled sun kissed Italians being convivial at their evening repast.

A grand start to our sojourn.

---

Photos

Morning breaking
Quiet, cool air, rooftop of a structure just behind our hotel. I don't yet know what it is.

Early morning
Our view, while not pittoresque, for me has a certain charm. The air smells new. There is washing hanging from someone's balcony on the right.

Comments

[Angela]

happy travels
wondering when your venture was beginning have fun look forward to the blog.