Home!

We were up for 24 hrs straight, fly home was uneventful  which was a good thing.  The only negative situation is we are home our luggage is either in Rome or Amsterdam .  Delta said it will ship it when returns.  Going through customs and reentry was fast and every we encounterd was patient and polite compared to what we overheard people exchanging past experiences.   You know , nice is as nice does.

We split the drive home as Bo was exhausted.   He does not sleep on the plane compared to me.  Plus Delta has free movies, Tv shows and Bruce is glued to that screen.   I must say that on that plane trip from Amsterdam to Seattle, delta does feed its passengers well. Snacks, a fairly good dinner, a lunch and another snack.  Bottles of water passed out during the flight and the attendants were great.

One of the reasons they are rated so highly especially for on time arrivals/departures is , it seems to us, they give only the min. amount of time between flights.  One suggestion, Annie gave it to us, if ever in Amsertdam back sure you reserve a cart for transfer as we would never have made the connecting flights.

The dogs were overjoyed, as were we, to be home .    Miss Etta was nuts with happiness.  As a matter of fact, she slept in bed with us all night.  Every time we moved she woke up , kissed us, stared at us and then sighed with joy and went back to sleep.

We had to make our own coffee this morning, yup, I here oh you poor babies, but after a month with others making it for us it .

We are so grateful to have taken this trip as we learned a lot about ourselves, how we travel, what we like to do and not do and we liked it.

One more note, many other travelers we met and we shared this was our first trip to Italy that we were on our own and Bruce was doing the driving in Sicily and Southern Italy were mighty impressed. I think we were native and just did not know any better.

Bruce retires the end of the year and we are planning our next trip and it looks as if it will be to the Sea of Cortez in Mexico.  Sun!   But no way will we be gone a full month as that was just to long for us.

We are happy to be home and our routine .

EARLY Sunday morning

Had to get up by 3 this morning, just two hrs ago, to arrive at Plamero airport.  Had a sm antipasti plate at roof top bar before bed as we wanted to be in bed by 9 and we were.  Then lo and behold we hear someone singing Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone and our room was directly under the piano bar.  Debated whether to call front desk to change rooms but we were all tucked in, bags packed , clothes out and thought her singing might help us sleep.  We dozed off and on until she was done at midnight.   Bruce woke up at 2:45 and 15 extra minutes was not going to do me much good so I also rose and did not shine one bit.

Dressed and in the elevator a full half hr before the shuttle was to arrive.  Good and fortune thing we did get up early as we got stuck in the elevator for the 15 minutes we were early.  Of course, our minds raced with the "what Ifs" but I believed we had gone this far with no major mishaps so it would work out and it did.   The bellman had the right tools, a crow bar and a key, and got us out.  The shuttle was waiting and here we are.  Very small airport and the security people who ck you before you find your gates were not even here yet.   They arrive at 6.   I had to keep going through the medal dectector and finally figured it out that it was the bobby pins in my hair as I put my wig on as there was no time to wash dry my hair.  I'll see what happens with this wig.

Good morning.

Bruce and grace

Last day

We had a wonderful and sad morning saying goodbye to Cefula and Mirko.  Just as we were putting the last of our things together he came into the room to give us each a hug and another goodbye as he was off to rescue, yet, another guest who got lost.  He gave us a momento of our stay at the B and B a sm ceramic piece with the name of the B and B on it with Cefula in the background.   I asked him to sign it which he did .  Now we have one from Lecce and one from Cefula.  

So off we go to drive to Palermo on a beautiful day.   Before I left our room I went onto the balcony to blow a kiss to the blue Med sea to say averadici, you know what I mean.    Could not get Bruce to blow a kiss but he did go out to say averadici .

Guess What!   We got hopeless lost trying to find Hertz and we are not sure how the hell Bruce found it 

and I am not joking.  Once again, the GPS does not jive with street names and last night Bruce wrote out directions from Google but Google could not find the correct street so Bruce found another map.

Anyway, between the three of them and prayers from me we found it.  Had hertz call a cab which the associate did not seem happy about, got a very nice cab driver and arrived at a very old, well kept

(Sort of how I feel some days) grand hotel.   This place is right out of the 50s movie with Huge lobby

With lots of wood , marble floors and lots of steps.   The hallways are narrow with angles , steps down

And big white doors.   The room is comfortable, small , nice large shower and a view of a very old wall.

We are up at 3 a.m as the transfer shuttle comes at 4.   Another nail in the Avanti travel as they told me it was "impossible" to change.   But this means we should be in Seattle by 4 in the afternoon .   Hello

My puppies.

The five things I love most about Italy:   THE PEOPLE, THE PEOPLE, THE PEOPLE, the sun/heat,

the food!

Also, this city Palermo, after going out to eat, short walk about, leaves a positive impression.   I also saw one of the very rare brightly handmade , hand painted , horse pulled carts that were once seen overall Sicily.

Prayers for safe trip home and I am going to have printed for Bruce's car a bumper sticker that states

"I survived driving in Italy"

Look forward to home you all of you.

Much love,   Bruce and Grace

Just got back

Went to walk around town for one more time. Had late lunch which was a home made pasta with sardines, raisins, pine nuts and finely ground bread crumbs.  My mom never made it cause my dad and I were the only ones who would eat it.  I know to some it might sound terrible but the raisins balance out the saltiness of fish.  Bruce had cream of asp soup and breaded veal.  Each had a glass of house local wine, $5 a glass, and we are amazed how wonderful it is.

Then a short walk to our favorite geletto and pastry shop, Bruce took a photo, and I had an almond filled flaky pastry and Bruce a double scoop of choc and one pistachio .  Sat there for awhile and talked to a couple from Conn with a tour group.  Said our goodbyes and off the our last stop to the cafe with the nice owners for our glass of Lemoncello .  In Italy one does say goodbye but see you next year or sometime in the future.

Back to the room and wAtching a very beautiful sunset.  Bruce is trying to get a photo.   Door is open to the baloney and a slight breeze is coming up so the weather changing.

Spent the morning confirming reservations for the trip home.  Called Hertz and they said the car lot is easy to find.  We have been told that by everyone we have asked for directions from.  Bruce told the rep that if we cannot find it he is leaving the car.  The rep said someone would come and get us.  Again, this has been the most unnerving thing on this trip.  Plus not speaking Italian , really speaking and understanding for us, has been an inpetament .

So we leave around 10 a.m. should be there around noon.  Say a prayer that we have a save trip 

Not much else.

Take care.

G and B

Just got back

Went to walk around town for one more time. Had late lunch which was a home made pasta with sardines, raisins, pine nuts and finely ground bread crumbs.  My mom never made it cause my dad and I were the only ones who would eat it.  I know to some it might sound terrible but the raisins balance out the saltiness of fish.  Bruce had cream of asp soup and breaded veal.  Each had a glass of house local wine, $5 a glass, and we are amazed how wonderful it is.

Then a short walk to our favorite geletto and pastry shop, Bruce took a photo, and I had an almond filled flaky pastry and Bruce a double scoop of choc and one pistachio .  Sat there for awhile and talked to a couple from Conn with a tour group.  Said our goodbyes and off the our last stop to the cafe with the nice owners for our glass of Lemoncello .  In Italy one does say goodbye but see you next year or sometime in the future.

Back to the room and wAtching a very beautiful sunset.  Bruce is trying to get a photo.   Door is open to the baloney and a slight breeze is coming up so the weather changing.

Spent the morning confirming reservations for the trip home.  Called Hertz and they said the car lot is easy to find.  We have been told that by everyone we have asked for directions from.  Bruce told the rep that if we cannot find it he is leaving the car.  The rep said someone would come and get us.  Again, this has been the most unnerving thing on this trip.  Plus not speaking Italian , really speaking and understanding for us, has been an inpetament .

So we leave around 10 a.m. should be there around noon.  Say a prayer that we have a save trip 

Not much else.

Take care.

G and B

Today is Wed so it must be Cefula

Yesterday, Tues, we found the local museum which at one time the home of a count and his family.

None of the intro on the history of the museum or the works that were displayed in it were written in English but it was still grand to walk through it.  Saw antiqutestes like pottery, mosicas and then paintings of the count and his family.  I can see why that hung his mothers portrait across the room from everyone else's as she looked down right mean.   One item was the type of carriage that was carried on the shoulders of slaves/servants and from what I saw this family was short, skinny and small.  No place for big booties in that carriage.

Then onto lunch at the beach and it was a beautiful day.  I kept looking at our server as she seem very familiar but how.  Well  just as we were about to leave she asked me if we were staying here and I said yes.   She is Mirko's sister and we met on the day we arrived.  

Walked along the beach for a short time and I was pooped and decided we would take a taxi back, could not find one, so walked the hr to get back.   The only tough part is the last block before the B and B.  I have to keep reminding Bruce, and myself, thus walk is not a race so take our time, stop , look, sit watch people which makes it a little better.

Back to the room to finish reading Elle, fashion magazine , watch some tv, wash up and out we go.

Decided on a light dinner and back to the Dumo area for this wonderful bean soup plus I wanted calamreii, you know, that was outstanding.  Here in Sicily I have had limes with my seafood and lemons with the meat.  Anyway, the salt on this dish made it taste of the sea, no shit!   We decided on dessert.

Bruce had brioche, an egg type bread shaped in a round that is filled with your geletto of choice.  He. Had dark choc and this choc comes from southern sicily from a town calledModerna , along those lines, I have read about the town and the great choc that is made there. He could only eat the geletto.i

I had a bubba rum ba, which is a very light cake which is soaked in rum syrup very good but sweet.

Yesterday we watched small local fishing boats that come in around five, met by guys on scooters that put in the catch in small wooden crates and then park the scooters near apartments so people buy their fresh fish.

Speaking of scooters.  We see kids riding with adults , everyone wears helmets , riding in the front or back with adults.   Kids as young as three, no speeding just taking care of bus.   We have also seen dogs, teethed to the inside of the scooters where there is a floor, riding around with their owners.  From

Sizes of small to medium dogs.   Dogs are as cool with these rides as they wait until the owners are off

Helmets put away and then the dog is unleashed from the scooter then walked off.

We have seen only one loose dog here .   Most are small to med size though Paula saw a woman walking a full size German Shepard last night.   All these dogs seem very well trained

Of course I watch to see what women are wearing and Italian women here do not seem to be as body phobic as we do.   I have not seen one women wearing pj bottoms, sloppy looking clothes or unkempt at all from doing their market chores to their evening walks.  Women my size seem not to mind some of their body rolls displayed wearing their tops and, what we think of maybe their jeans being a little too

Tight just really hug their curves again, because their outfits are very well put together.   They take pride, as the men do it being neat and clean.

Today making phone calls to Palermo to confirm reservations.  Will leave around 9:30 in the morning as it is about an hr and half and the Hertz drop off in center of city.  One more item learned about renting cars overseas.

We did check into Bruce going fishing and here , compared to home, you rent the whole boat for day at about $500 per day.  Nope, Bruce said as I thought if he wants to he deserves it.   Also, we coke he'd about just a few hrs off a boat ride out to the sea but not here as they did Taromina.  Oh well, next trip to wherever Bruce is going to fish.

Today is the last day in Cefula and am sitting on the balcony looking out to the blue Med sea.

Grace. and Bruce

Trip to my grandparents village

We decided to drive to the village of Cerda on Monday.  An easy drive following Mirkos directions,not the GPS .   As I remember my aunts describing it as a hilly town with very little going on.   I will add to that a seedy , hilly, unfriendly town with very little going on.   I was not surprised but Bruce was as he thought it was going to be one of those pretty hillside villages outside of Lecce we visited.  We took some photos mainly for my Cousin Frankie who plans on going next yr with his four adult children.

Drove around looking for familiar names or places to park and walk around somewhat but the sky opened and it poured we were when city hall and public offices closed until 4 and we were not going to hang around for four hrs.   So off we went for a drive back to Cefula.  The rain continued as it is needed here as it has been without rain for six months.   Driving down the rd there were mini mud slides along the sides of the rd which made the rds very slippery.

Luckily we found a parking space back at the B and B.  Dropped of a bag of potatoe chips I bought at a gas station,  doesn't matter to me what country I am in as potatoe chips are always good, pit stop at the room and off we went to walk down different streets.

Weather was overcast and just ok.  Had late lunch, nothing memorable, got back to the room after being out for five hrs and decided to stay in.  I washed up, pjs on, bought two magazines in English and settled down about 7 knock on the door and it was Mirko will two pieces of pizza for us.  It was very good, not sure if homemade or take out, Bruce returned the plate and was gone awhile which surprised me as he is not always chatty with new people.   When he got back he met a couple who just got in from Aberdeen, Scotland .

We decided to get things together for leaving on Thursday.  Long to short of it I ended up emailing Journey travel in aberdeen five times as two different airports were listed for our departure , different addresses for dropping off the car, it is in the center of Palermo now, voucher was not checked out for being completed by travel agent.   Bruce handled it better than I did.

Afternoon

Doesn't matter where I am rain does seem to get me to a low energy point.  Bill, the terrier, and are affecte by the barometer dropping.   As at home, when a storm starts up the seagulls come in.  We have noticed there are not a lot of seagulls in either of the costal towns we have been in Sicily.

After a light dinner we do the walk around , the sitting, at the plaza.  Then we stop for our nightly Lemoncello .   When I write it sounds like we are old but doing the walk, stopping and walking on it feels easy and a nice way to complete a day.   

I also have to say these older italian women out pace and outwalk me at a steady pace.   Sicilians do not make eye contact readily nor do they greet strangers easily but after I see the same ones on our walks I am breaking them down with greetings in Italian and waving to the ladies I see on their balconies in the afternoon.   I don't stare, rude, but glance, greet and smile.  So far no one has slapped   Me or sworn at me so I am good.

Tomorrow we might take a drive.

Grace and Bruce, the fashion plate.

Sunday

The cruise was confirmed cancelled this a.m so had breakfast, short visit with Mirko and back to the room to put dirty clothes together , clean ones together and I am not sure but just in case together.

Then about noon down to town.  Weather looked good so no jackets or umbrella not real sunny but not bad.   Greeted the couple at the cafe we ate at last night and decided to have our evening Lemoncello there this evening.   Half way down to the sea clouds, gray sky and big rain drops.  We  were near Bruce's favorite men's shop and bought an umbrella and a scarf for my head and the owner charged Bruce 5 euros so tomorrow or Tues we buy some cookies as a thank you for him.

Decided we wanted our big lunch overlooking the sea again so headed down to the resturants by the water and choose a different one.   Bruce wanted risotto with fungi, potatoes and something else.  I had pasta made on premises and a side of grilled italian sausage to go with the Marconi , eggplant , tomatoes and basil and it was so damn good.  Bruce likes rice as his family had it a lot and his dish was good but he did not swoon over it as I did mine.   Bruce then wanted dessert and decided on something he had never had pan a cotta with strawberry topping and then it was his turn to swoon.

I had an espresso to give me that pick me up I need. With lunch or dinner I usually have the house red and these wines are wonderful.   Not many times I can say a house white I have in the States is wonderful.   Even Bruce is enjoying the Sicilian red wines.

Began to rain almost back to the room so the scarf and umbrella good bets.  When we returned we greeted by Mirko, his parents and Bill the dog who just makes me laugh and he lets me give him lots of love-loves.

Bruce is once again swooning over food as he bought choc covered orange peels, the sweet with the tart , and he says better than choc covered orange strings as those are way sweeter than these.

Time to relax , take our shoes off until we go out later.

Our coughs have lessened but still here, Bruce's sinus attacks are fewer and our knees, feet and ankles are holding up but is because we go at our own pace.

Five days, Stella, lewis  and Miss Etta until we get home and love on you .

Grace and Bruce

Sat

This morning we had a nice long conversation withMirko, the owner, of the B and B,  I think he is about 38 and talked about growing up in Cefula and Sicily.   He shared his passions, ideas you know the 38 , single and business is slow in the winter and I want to get away.  He asked for our address, etc. so if he goes to New York City next yr and, if he can, he would like to visit us.  So of course, and the easy thing is Mirko loves dogs, so this is a no brainer.

Guess what!  Today is rained, and rained.  Rain and it is still sooooo humid.  Mirko told us of a street market a short distance away, short walk.  He forgot to mention IT WAS STRAIGHT UP A HILL.   Thankfully the wLk happened before the rain.  The market was not just veggies and fruits but household goods, window treatment, name it they had it.

Before I forget.   This is for Shelby.   In this town and the one before you would have gone crazy with all the shoe stores and I am not kidding.  High , low, fancy, casual.  The Italians are in love shoes.

So , left the street market back down the rd to the start of old town.  Pizza and lemon soda, nice simple pizza. Fresh tomatoes, cheese and Parma ham.

Bruce decides that his suspenders do not function with his new shorts and wanted to go back to the same store with the owner who was so very nice to him.   Explained what Bruce wanted and the owner pulls out a boxes.   Either to small or too large.  The owner and Bruce decide on one as the owner tries to explain he can take care of it which he did.  I remember in my home town there was a men's store who had the punch to make new holes and tools to cut the leather then put the buckle back on and before we knew it the buckle fit.  Then Bruce wants another new shirt!!   So he picked the one he liked and Boom he bought it and that was it.  Bruce is going to be an Italian fashion plate on our return home.  

We decided to take the cruise to two of the Aeolian islands but when we got back from dinner tonight Mirko told us the cruise was cancelled due to the weather.   I was sure it would be as it thundered most of the day, Bruce said it would be a go.  am glad it was as I was not enthusited about the trip.

We decided to eat at a small place , down the hill, and at first I was not happy with the choice.  The food was so-so but the family was a real joy to be with.  Dad, mom, Georgia, university student, who wants to teach and Brian, teen age son.  As the dad explained, his cousins in the States have given all their children Italian names but the dad loves Irish names so he liked Bruce's name.

Tomorrow if the rain stays we will hang out here and rearrange the stuff in suitcases.

Six days and we will be hugging the dogs and Bruce can catch up on a months worth of tv programs.

The trip , overall, minus the driving is great.

I want the sun back

Grace and Bruce

Yesterday

Nice breakfast, a combination of English and Italian breakfast. Then out we went, since it is a long hill down first stop is for a lemon soda after that onto discovering a new town.   Hard to belief it was a first full day.  Bruce decided he wanted another pair of shorts as we sent a his one pair home .  So went into two men's store zip the third one the owner was great.   Bruce bought the shorts, then he decided on a shirt shocked me.

Onto a new hike down another hill in old town and decided it was time for lunch and we looked at one or two and finally I told Bruce to make a decision as we both had to use the toilette and he made a terrific one as the server took us down three, short , flight of steps to seating looking over the Med.

That was one WOW moment.   We watched the feral cats , not too many, walk around and people walking a paved path and they stopped, took a photo and walked out.   That is not enjoying the views to us as we sat for a long time just sighing about the sun and water.

Then a walk to the public beach and there was no shade so that was a short stay.  Looked for the theatre where one of my favorite all times movie was made, cinema paradiseo, it is a subtitled movie and is a tearful but happy also.   Didn't find it so made the long trip back to the B and B.  Played with Bill, the terrier, then back to the room to cool off and relax.  This time Bruce even took a nap.

Back out about 5:30 and walked found a neat place near the Dumo and I had fork tender beef and Bruce had a dynamic bowl of figoli soup.  The back to the room for a good night.

It ain't Taormina

Well, we said goodbye to Salvatore, owner of the B and B in taromina and headed out to Cefula.   I must say the drive on the auto and was fairly easy as it was a straight shot to the turn off to Cefula and that is when we got hopelessly lost.  After 45 minutes trying to follow the Gps we called Mirko, the owner, and he sent his dad to rescue us.   GOOD THING AS WE WOULD HAVE NEVER FOUND THIS PLACE WITHOUT HIM!!!!!   The enterance is on the side of an apartment building then a huge enterway with no signs, an elevator, again No signs, three doors , one has Ma and Mi on it.  Walk into a 

Very modern living room and kitchen and met the owner, nice kid who talks faster than I do.

His dad made a welcoming drink for us which was very good and refreshing.  Then he opened a door to a hallway where there are six doors to the rooms.   Our room is small but very modern and a modern looking bathroom.   For those of us who go to Lynn's in Aberdeen, the wall behind the bed is the lime green in her salon which she said is a good luck color.  Hurrah.

A nice balcony where when you sit and look out you have a stunning view of the sea and one of the Aeolian islands.  Stand up and look down and you see junk so we will sit a lot on the balcony.

So Mirko tells us how to get to the city center, sort of like an old town, a short walk down a steep hill but we did  it.   Had an ok lunch then walked on to explore some of the area as we needed to get bearings.  Along with that I wanted to see the Domo ----of Cefula.   It is strange and stunning at the same time.   Iam sure the main alter and art work is Bystaine, and the church is cavernous.  I believe it is the oldest church we have been it and i felt uncomfortable.  The walls are empty, no candles burning

Very empty in many ways.  I am so used while in Italy to have churches all around which are small , intimate and newer(1400s).  

Ok, then we hike down hills, stop for coffee, geletto for Bruce and try to find something to bring back to the room as we are not doing the typical Italian dining which is about 7, anyway , not here cause of the walk and am not sure how safe this town is.   While in Taromina we did not see one person wearing the money around their necks.

Back up the hills to the room and after entering the living room, which is really the living room for guests and Mirko and his parents, we are greeted with barking from Bill, a smooth coated Terrier, which made me very happy.  Cute, happy dog who wanted to follow us to our room but Mirko would not let him.

Now we are deciding which Aeolian islands to visit and what day.   Then planning a day to see the village my moms parents were from.

Seven in the evening and we are in for the duration.

Grace and Bruce

Last night in Taromina

Slow easy day today .  Walked around some more discovered some ruins and a wall that had , at on time, shrouded bodies but now the wall is the back drop for a park like setting.

Found out by watching some tv here that Kevin Costner, Owen Wilson and Antino Bandaris all speak perfect Italian as we see them in commercials here.

Once again, our dates seem to be mixed up as I did not add the 9th to Cefula as I should have.  The last thing I want to do is spend an extra day in Palermo.   We have to get up at 3 am to catch the shuttle at 4 am.   We are not happy with that scheduling by the travel agent but she said it could not be changed as it went through the Adventi Travel group.

So, this is a beautiful area well worth a revisit.

Last leg tomorrow.

Grace and Bruce

Fun bus ride

Yesterday we took a two bus ride around the surrounding towns of Taormina and it was so much fun.

The bus is open sides and roof and I will add that every tour bus we have taken in Italy have seat belts.

As usual, the weather was beautiful .  The whole bus ride was a blast and the driver and guide young and fun.   First their was a recorded guide telling us about the different towns and when that was finished it went to Virgin radio where we listend to hard rock from 70 and 80s.  To me it seemed strange but the music worked as we roared down some of the high , high windy roads.  The drivers must passed some of test as they are buses pass each other with just inches between.

First town was Castelmola with a population about Westport.   This town sits high above Taormina this town is pre Hellenistic.   The streets are so narrow that about three can walk abreast .  The road leading up has beautiful hotels leading up and we watch people make that walk.   A stunning outdoor restaurant overlooks the sea, Taormina , mt Entna.  The wind was up so very warm that it did cool us down a bit.

Then back to Taormina to pick up and drop off people.  On to a resort area, beach , called Giardina Naxos.  This town directly overlooks the sea and is the first Greek colony in Sicily.  We did not have time to go to the archaeological areas but the beach was beautiful.  It was a fishing village up to about 30 yrs ago when tourism became the number money maker.    Sounds sort of similar to Westport.

The fishing here seems to be tuna, anchovies (I had marinated ones that were Wonderful) Bruce did not even want to look at them.

We then drove down to a town directly on the water that was just plain beautiful.  As a matter of fact this was an area that we would come back to stay.  Never again being gone for a month but ten days would be easy to do.   Pretty boats take visitors on tours of the bay's, there is a grotto where the water is emerald green to sapphire blue according to people we talked to yesterday.  Warm , warm and not to hot.

Then onto te last town called Letojanni which is a major tourist destination.  Again the beaches are white sand and very clean and well maintained.

This area was really discovered during the 50s as it really borders Taormina.   A Dr Hauser built a villa to house his patients many from Holloywood and Greta Garbo was a regular.

Then it was back to Taormina.  We discovered so much more here than we really knew and, again, just full of all kind of history from ancient to modern.

Before I forget, Oscar Wilde was a regular at this B and B we are staying at.  The who who's of Hollywood were regulars in this area ; Burt Lancaster, one of my favorite actors, the Burtons, Sophia,

Audery Hepburn a zillion .

This afternoon we happened on a restaurant and the inside walls were covered with photos of the owners with many notable Americans .   Senator Tom Harkin, Michael Douglas, American movie directors,  on and on.

So now we are back in the hotel to rest then back out for an early dinner as we leave tomorrow.

Yup, we would come back here.   We are learning so much about ourselves as travelers.  Like, no need to drive with all that anxiety as trains, taxis are great.

Plus, we have learned to take a roll of masking tape with us when we travel if we plan on shipping stuff home.

Tonight will be quite for us dinner and packing and trying not to be too anxiety ridden with the drive from here to Cefula.

Bruce is feeling some what better but not a whole bunch better.  So I am worried about his driving and stress level but his appetite is fine as he is eating his second piece of tarrone candy.

Grace and Bruce

Tues morning

We decided to get to the post office when it opened at 8:30 to mail boxes back that contained unnecessary items plus some items purchased here.  First thing is the wait and to take a number ,which I have to do in the big PO in Oly.   Second the tape that is provided is not strong enough and were given directions to the market which had none.    All tape here in English is scotch tape so we were told.  Given directions to a little store and he did have scotch tape back to the po.

The clerk was none to happy with the tape but in broken italian and English we explained it was all we could find and one look at Bruce's face any one would know he was pissed.  The clerk was a gem throughout this experience and helped us through the paper work, spelling the whole thing.

There was one classical moment in the po. For those of you who have seen French or italian flicks where the po clerk hits the stamp on the ink pad, then hits the letter , then repeats it at a rapid rate with a beat to it, that was our clerk!

I forgot to tell you about a cute event we saw last night at dinner and everyone at the resturant, Il Dumo, laughed.   This place sits on a small plaza where there are apartments to one side with each having a balcony.   There were several small dogs, on leashes, with the owners either walking them or sitting at a cafe.    As we know when one barks, they all bark.   All of a sudden we all here a really deep bark and look up at the apartments and see a fairly larger Cocker spaniel barking and barking as to take command of the dogs.   This when on for a few minutes when all of a sudden a little boy maybe about six comes out on the balcony next door and begins to talk to the spaniel.  We thought it was cute but the dog began barking at the boy.   All of a sudden, the boy raises his voice, starts with the hand gestures to dog and the dog sits listens to the boy, the boy finishes the dog back to his apartment and the boy turns to his audience, all of us, gives us a big smile and goes back in.  The kid had a look of triumph on his face.  It was so cute and then small ,short, conversations began between tables.  There were, Germans, Dutch, English, Italians and us.  These are the things I like and one reason I am not a picture taken.

Right now I am sitting out on the balcony watching tourists and locals walk by.  I want to move to sunny Italy cause the local women always dress up, even casually , looks dressed up to me.  Plus wouldn't it be nice to wear short sleeves, sleeveless tops the end of Sept.  But then again, no, cause I am longing for our house, OUR DOGS, and family and friends.  A thing I have noticed in Italy.   You know how when we wear sheer tops our bras are flesh tone or we wear camisoles, not here as I just saw a woman go by with a wearing a beautiful sheer white lace top and her bra showed and she wasn't kid and it looked fine.  I don't even wear sleeveless unless I have a shirt over.

Yesterday and today

Yesterday we left early for a trip along the eastern interior of sicily.   We first stopped at a town Noto with Barouqe bldgs.  To be honest, it was a boring tour after looking and staying in Lecce.  Then it was onto a Roman villa which contained mosicas which I find fantastic.   The villa and the mosicas are dated 400 yrs after the death of Christ.   Our group was small, about 20 of us, so no one got lost in the shuffle.  Bruce did get some photos of them.   I will say that we do not take a lot of photos but did take some of the mosicas.  Like the Jewish community in Lecce where you walk over parts of the town it was the same with the villa.   One part that was complete and you looked down on it where two large vats that held the wine and were still stained purple.  Seeing those vats still stained was strange.

Then onto a very , very small fishing village that sat right on the Med.  and , at one time , a very busy tuna fishing village.  It was beautiful in many ways as it really did not have a bay but just opened right into the sea.  Some of the boats were the small wooden ones painted the red, green and white of the Italian flag.   Once again, family Sunday dinners with many families out for the big meal of the day mid afternoon.  This was the bad tasting meal I had eaten.   As a matter of fact it was lousy.   I had capanoto which is eggplant and other veggies, pine nuts and raisins slowed cooked but this had to much vinegar.   Then risotto with seafood that was too oily to enjoy .  Bruce had a salad which was, well, just a salad.

Then back to town.   We left at 8 got back at 6.  A long day with seeing a lot of scenery which was semi arid again similar to what we saw in Northern Mexico.   

Bruce was , and still is, a trooper as his cold turned into sinus headache.   Today was an easy day and just walked around viewed the sea and met a nice couple from Brighton, England who were here for a wedding.   The girl is a professional singer and sang at the wedding and her boyfriend said she was terrific.   Cute couple.

Back to the room and getting ready for bed.

Eleven days until we get home and I am looking forward to it.

Learned, fewer clothes and shoes and always take over the counter meds for poor Bruce who does his very best.

Grace and bruce☺️

Bruce has a cold

Yup, Bruce has a hacking cough or cold and we are in early tonight.  We have been to the pharamacy twice and they have very little compared to what we have in the States.   Over the counter for us is by prescription here so poor Bruce is suffering.

Anyway, today it was off to do laundry and it was a climb.   We have seen those stairways made of stone in Italy but the pictures only show the first level.  We have four levels to climb and it was work.

When we finally got there the place was bright and clean.  How they work it is you pay an attendant for the machine and he then inserts a card into a machine where their are numbers that coordinate with the machines and that's it.   We were there for an hr and got it done until I realized that Bruce had only one shirt there.   He forgot to look in the closet for rest of them.  Too bad as I am not climbing those steps again.

We then got a shuttle to take us down the very steep hills to ck on the car, catch it back 15 minutes later.   Where the shuttle let's people off is at the bottom of a hill which begins the climb onto the Main Street. So there is traffic coming down a hill from the right, going down a different hill, motorbikes coming up behind us going onto a rd to left and right and right in the middle of the hill sits a little area where cars can park.  People , us walk , walk through it, not quite super people but if you don't , you would be celebrating your next birthday waiting for a break in the traffic.

The people here are more reserved , locals, than they were in Leece.  I know from experience that Sicilians are more reserved than Northern Italians, not rude, but a lot harder to get to know.  

We looked at some ruins today and many look the same.  Surprise.

Returned to the same place we have eaten before so we can look over the blue water.  As we were leaving a wedding party was entering a church and had a huge crowd of tourists clapping for the bride and her dad as they walked up the steps.  This is the fourth wedding we have seen since we have been in Italy.

As I said each town as a main plaza and today there were two men , one on a mandolin and other guitar, signing traditional Italian songs along with Volarie which everyone joined in on the choirs.  It made everyone feel good.

Wind has picked up tonight so people are in sweaters and large scarves all wrapped up.

Tomorrow we are off for a day of sight seeing to some small coastal towns and an in land one.

Let's say a get feel prayer for Brucie.

Grace

quiet day

Not much today as Bruce has come down with a bad cough, which I am just getting rid off. I think it is living with a c plus neither of us have our c paps with us.   Did so more exploring and met a very nice and interesting people from England and the wife gave me some reading recommendations on English period history.

Had an early dinner and just got back to the room . Tomorrow is laundry day and deciding what clothes to send home.  Tonight is opera night here and the performance of Carmen is sold out which bummed me out as it is my very favorite.  How things work out as Bruce is feeling funky so it worked out.

So a very slow and laid back day.

Grace and Sleeping Bruce

This is great

Just got back from dinner and , again , a wonderful one.  I had a pasta dish with eggplant and tomatoes and Bruce had veal Marsala that he swooned over.  We walked all day over just part of the day.

We are laughing at the booze , amount we drink.   Had a great breakfast provided by B and B walked next door and signed up for a tour on Sunday.  Did not do the sunset to mt Entna as it gets back at 11 at night and we, I, would be wasted the next day and sleep most of it. We found out there is an open bus that drives along the area and we can ride to the beach or near by small towns so we will do that one day.

So, at noon we stop at this little cafe and have wine and Campari, for me.   Walk around and around . Lunch again wonderful pasta dinners and Bruce is close to licking the plate.  Beer and wine.  Back to the room as businesses close from 1-4 here.  Come back take off shoes and nap.  Walk towards a new location and find the post office as we are mailing clothes home.  Stopped for a Lemoncello .

Walked to find the laundromat, success, back to room for an hr off to dinner with wine and Lemoncello. If we had those many drinks at home we would be inbred after the ones at noon.

We think it is not only the walking but the difference in temps.  

We met a couple from Britian today and struck up a conversation and we all said we were pinching ourselves sitting having a coffee, and dessert, we do that also visiting with each other at the end of Sept in the sun blue sky looking out over the Med.  Sea.  Being waited on by Aldo our server who was so much fun and made everyone smile and glad that we were there.

Lecce was a beautiful old city with a lot of history, from the 13th century to post WWII.   Taromina is a whole different town with an atmosphere we associate with sports cars driving down twisted highways, to down hair blowing in the wind or scarf over hair wearing big sunglasses.  I guess that depends if you see Sophia Loren or Audery Hepburn in your minds eye.   That's what this area is like.  I see a lot more casual dress here with most women but the older ,local Italian women come out for their nightly walks very well dress with their string of pearls on, handbags , hair done walking arm and arm.  People watching is so much fun.

Shelby, if you read this the drinks we have are in very small glasses and do not think it is sophiscated .

We are OLD and you are not.  Love you Sweetie.

That's it for now.

Grace and Bruce

Arrived in Taromina

Of course I will begin with getting out of Reggieo Calabria , we did it. Bruce did it.  Got on the ferry and it was a nice crossing.  Just 20 minutes and what we have found the transportation system we have used is on time.  So far we have traveled by plane, car, bus, train and boat.  

Messina , guess what,is driving hell for us but ,again but Bruce remembered reading autostrad found it, got turned around twice and arrived inTaromina.

This city is an international tourist center and shops galore.   How about:  Gucci, Valentino  red, mui mui, prada and dolce and garbana!  This city is built into a hillside and sits above the blue Med. Sea.

Our hotel is on the main promenade and the verndana sits right over it and we sit and watch the people.  Once those doors are closed the noise is shut out.

The hotel rating n trip advisor was too high as it is very plain and old.

Beginning to rain and some thunder so I am going back I and rest my feet.

Went out to find a light plate of something like fruit, not here compared to Lecce which I found unusual.

Cause as we lost in Messian along the main streets fruit and beautiful veggie trucks were setup.  The peaches and grapes looked beautiful as we drove past at 45 miles per hr and we were going slow.

But we found a place that sits across from plaza that looks over the sea and split a salad with tuna, delicious , olives, you get the picture and it was so good. Bruce is even getting I into the swing of not wanting heavy food at all.  What he loves his veal and the way it is prepared very light.

My eyes are bugging out and the c c are steaming with the outrageously beautiful handbags from Milan but I have mind and love it.

Oh, I have to tell you this.  Where we ate this afternoon the tables are placed on very wide steps and one has to take large steps to reach your table.  Anyway, two Russian women wanted at table and one in her 50-60 had on a dress so short and so tight that even Bruce noticed that she showed more than a bathing suit along with no underware.   Why?   I felt a little sorry for her but on the other hand she walked tall and proud.   This tourist crowd is a whole different from Lecce.

Plus we found out there is an international film festival here each year which draws thousands.

Tomorrow we will look into taking some tours, not sure which ones.

Grace