This is a shot from a point not far from our hotel (B&B). Lots of these views from the Old Town where we are staying.
We had spent the morning in Siracusa, checking out a little before 1100 local. Beforehand, 2 walked over to one of the historical sites that had both Greek and Roman ruins to view. I did the manly thing...laundry! But let's be perfectly clear...my needs had been communicated in advance, and the proprietor of the establishment basically took my stuff, my 5€, and told me to come back in 75 minutes. Which I did, and the stuff was done. I did fold and put it in my bag. He wouldn't take a tip. Perfect Neighbor in Siracusa, eh?
While the laundry service was in motion, I strolled down to the local market and observed the town's commerce in action.
Kinda cool watching and listening to the activity. I bought a couple of peaches for my breakfast. And a bunch of grapes that are still in tow. 1.5€ total.
We decided to haul our luggage with us to our parking place (at least a half mile away) as the access to the B&B for a car was so poor. No problems, just a long walk. Exit out of town was relatively easy, with just nominal corrections required. Google Maps works.
The drive to Agrigento was half just fine, and half a pain in the putooskey. With no direct route from Siracusa, we went back North toward Etna, and then West toward Palermo, all on Interstate-like roads. But once we had to turn South, we ran into your basic two-lane road with lots of construction. For around 50 kilometers. That's why we elected to do wine rather than tour upon arrival.
After some minor walking around town, and a short siesta in our room, it was off to dinner at a near-by place recommended by our host. It wasn't too bad of an experience, but not up to the standard set last night in Siracusa.
Our first courses: sorry about the lighting, but we just didn't have our act together. 2's was a sausage and egg plant pasta, and mine was some pesto pasta whatever. Both were good, not great.
The main courses: 2's was a meat combo that was average, and mine was swordfish that was equally average. We may also have eaten too much in the earlier courses, but neither of us could finish our meals.
The wine was a Sicilian Cabernet Neo Aviola or something to that affect. It also was good, not great. One of those bottles that you say, "Yeah, not too bad", but don't make a mental note to buy a couple of bottles for the Maplecrest driveway.
Here's a Top Ten list of random observations from the trip thus far:
1. Graffiti defaces almost every surface in the Italian public domain, including the historical sites.
2. Motor-bike traffic has NO rules.
3. The ocean water at the pier in Siracusa was Tahoe-clear.
4. Shopkeepers, wait-staff and other tourist contacts are all very courteous and helpful. (Maybe, ALMOST all.)
5. Diesel gas runs around 1.70 - 1.90€ per liter. When I fill up the car, which I have done twice, it costs more than a night's stay at our hotels.
6. Restrooms at the public sites (Isle of Capri, Etna) charge .50-.60€ for use.
7. In Sicily, they still dig everywhere. Between roads and ruins, this place has got to be a gold mine for Caterpillar and Deere.
8. Many, many English-speaking tourists at almost every site/restaurant. We're hard to miss!
9. The Internet makes the world a very small place. Amazing that we can communicate while being so far away. That FaceTime with Harvest Path last weekend was amazing.
10. We miss many of the little conveniences of home. We can do without them, but like for me, ice, an Americano MY WAY, and pop cycles are things that make home, home. So I'm a spoiled American! I can live with that.
OK. Obviously no literature award for this entry, but that was our day. We'll do the temples here in the morning, and then go over to Palermo tomorrow afternoon. We both have doubts about Palermo, it being a big city and all. We like simple. Think positive thoughts for us.
Thanks for reading. Ciao!!
BCOT
No comments:
Post a Comment