Catania Day Trip

We had an awesome day today.  Full of fun, met new people everywhere we went.  Not a surprise since Jeremy never meets a stranger.  For the short time he has been here, he has managed to fit in like a local. 

First Stop this morning was Sigonella Navy Base.  Went to the Bank to exchange all our cash into Euros.  Cashed in $600 and got back $411 Euros....Oh well, it pretty much all spends the same.  We met a lot of Jeremy's friends at the Base and believe it or not, we weren't allowed to take any pictures of the Base once we were inside.  I respected that but once we were out side the base at the ESSO station gasing up the Jeep I couldn't resist.  Note the pictures of the sheep herders...Right across the street from the base. 

The hardest part of the entire trip was the agressive driving habits of the people.  Including my nephew.  I sat in the back seat and could not even look at the road while he was driving.  Kept my eyes on the scenery and tried to brand as much of it in my mind as possible. 

From there we went to Catania and parked and probably walked 10 miles all thru the city.  Suzie and I were dressed in capris and tshirts and EVERYONE WAS WEARING COATS !!  We were walking around sweating like crazy and the locals were all wearing coats, scarves and boots !!  What the Hell !!!  Lots of interesting people watching going on.  Shops everywhere and we kept noticing all the women dragging suitcases with wheels.  We just thought that a lot of women were going to the airport or just getting home from the airport....NOT.  They use the suitcases to carry all of their shopping purchases.  Keeps them from having the lug around shopping bags.  WHAT A GREAT IDEA !!  These women really know how to shop. 

We went to several churches and they were just so overwhelming I couldn't hardly contain my emotions.  Some of the most beautiful statues and paintings I have ever seen.  People were so friendly and Jeremy knows quite a bit of Italian so that we were able to decipher most of what they were saying.  By the time we left Catania I was crying my eyes out.  I have never seen such beautiful churches and traditions in my life.  I am not Catholic but have a great amout of respect for their devotion and religion and traditions. 

After we returned to Jeremy's apartment, we went to a seafood restaurant and I had the mixed grill (fish with the head still on, squid, and shrimp) and Jeremy had mussels, which were not bad at all.  I have managed to try a lot of new foods while I was here and have not been disappointed by anything. 

After resting for a very short period of time, we went to the GoGo Bar and had drinks and things were really just starting to get busy when we walked the mile back to his place.  We are having a blast !!

Sitting here now watching the Texas Rangers and the Red Sox game !!  Go Rangers !!

Jeremy making us Capaccino !!  He has the neatest apartment.  Especially his kitchen...All the cabinets, everything is red enamel.  Even the refrigerator blends in.

Jeremy's front door !!  They are really big on security over here, but I guess if you live ON THE EDGE OF THE STREET, (seriously, we take two steps out of his patio front patio door and we are on the sidewalk)

This is the street in front of his apt.  If you look at the end, you will see the beautiful blue water.

Exxon !!  Across the street from the Base

This cracked me up.  A Sheep Herder decided to herd his sheep right down the street...across from the Base !! 

Mount Etna - Active Volcano.  We're going up there next week

Beautiful statues with strategically placed fig leaves

Tomb at one of the churces

The elevator in Jeremys apt building.   Two people at the most could fit in it

Tomorrow we are headed for Rome at 1:00 pm so have to leave Aci Castello by 10:00 to get to the airport on time.   We will be spending Sat and Sun night in Rome and plan to see Trevi Fountain and hopefully have time to make it to Vatican City !!