Catania, Sicily - Italy - October 24, 2012

I saw a woman with a t-shirt on today that said “I love it when all the dots get connected”, today was such a day for us. No planned excursions, so a little lie in this morning, a leisurely breakfast and the easy to get to city of Catania at our doorstep. First a little on Catania. Catania is on the east coast of Sicily facing the Ionian Sea. It is the capital of the Eponymous province and with 300,000 inhabitants (750,000 in the Metropolitan Area), it is the second largest city in Sicily and the tenth largest in Italy. Catania is known to have a seismic history and past, having been destroyed by a catastrophic earthquake in 1169, another in 1693 and several volcanic eruptions from the neighbouring Mount Etna volcano, the most violent in 1669. Catania has had a long and eventful history, having been founded in the 8th century BC. In the 14th century and the Renaissance, Catania was one of Italy’s most important and flourishing cultural, artistic and political centers, including having witnessed the opening in 1434 of the first university in Sicily. Today Catania is one of the main economic, touristic and educational centers on the island, being as important hub of the technological industry, thus gaining the nickname of the “European Silicon Valley”. We strolled into the center of of the city and witnessed a Union demonstration, yes including about 500 people of all ages (older mostly meaning north of 50), all blowing whistles and banging in lid tops like symbols, noisy and effective. We think they did on a Wednesday as it coincides with market day - so after the union get together they have a cappuccino and then do the shopping. Hey I am sorry it just had that look about it. So while the demonstrators where doing their thing Jan only did the sensible thing and bought a pair of shoes, very nice and on sale of course, $19, Euro marked down from $39. We saw the Bellini monument and strolled into the Bellini Park. Went into an old Roman amphitheater, very interesting. Just walked into all these places - no entrance fee. Walked the outdoor market that seemed to go on forever - this market sells just about everything including items, animals (dead and alive) and vegetables that I have never seen before - great people watching. The market led into the main Duomo Square where we had a cappuccino and a sicilian canolli - delicious. Off to the fish market (yes another market but the regular daily fish market that carries the huge sword fishes) for some more great photos. Happen to walk into a ceramic shop where we found low and behold the same style address numbers that have since disintegrated from our place up the Sunshine Coast. Purchased a whole new set and yes I will protect them much better this time around. Stopped in a wine shop on the way back to the ship, just for a look and what a nice guy that runs this shop. He had me taste a wine that the grapes are grown on a little island just south of Sicily, it was a bit sweet but had a wonderful finish and I thought would be a great wine to have while getting ready for dinner on board. I asked if he had and corkscrews (in our haste in getting ready for this trip I had forgotten a few things, a corkscrew was one of those things), he said he had. So I purchased the bottle and while he was wrapping it up I again inquired about the corkscrew and he said the “yes he had one but not for sale, it is a gift” and reached around the back of the counter and gave me a great and really nice corkscrew. I thought this can’t be right (not in our dog eat dog everything for a buck world) and again inquired as to the price and with that look I only know too well from a hospitable Sicilian he held his hand around mine and simply said that no it is a gift. I said thank you very much and will always remember this moment when using your opener. Back to the ship around 2:30, found that they were having a special on a 50 minute massage, 25 mins regular, 25 mins hot stone. Called for availability and less than an hour later, Jan and I were having blissful massages. See how the dots were all connecting today. Tonight was another formal night followed by “The Spectacular magic of Phil Hitchcock”. Another great meal and incredible show, this magician puts his entire body into a huge balloon, got to see it to believe it. Tomorrow we are also on our in Naples, can’t wait...