Sicily
Great weather here in mid-November. I didn’t come to Sicily
for any particular reason other than it is one of the warmest spots in Europe
this time of year. A fondness of Italian food, wine and I enjoy hearing the
Italians talk I thought why not. I will meet up with Denise later on today so I
am sure the drinking will stop then.
From what I have seen so far there is an unvarnished charm
to the place. With Piazza Del Duomo being the main square. The fish market and
outdoor market was great. Of course I have not fecking idea what they are
yelling about but I am guessing that their fish is the freshest and best
value. I suspect Denise will enjoy so
will probably go back tomorrow. All the
food and wine have been good so far but not great. I will search for great
tonight. I cannot find any craft beer so far the national brands are pretty
ordinary but I am a uppity little prick
when it comes to beer so please don’t take offense Sicily and in particular Mob
run crappy beer producers.
Speaking of Costa Nostra (Our thing) apparently they are
still here despite government crackdowns. Not something I would ask to many
questions about it but I would not be surprised if the hotel I am staying in
had to pay the “pizzo”. They are shops
that advertise as AuddioPizzo or Goodbye Payments and their way of telling the
Honored Society to fuck off.
After more great food and wine we did a day trip to see
Mount Etna. Nothing too exciting but another change to learn some local history
and see some of the effects of what a lava spill can do.
The Malta Conference
A trip to Sicily with a side trip to Malta became a trip to
Malta with a side trip to Italy. Malta is incredible. A small archipelago
nation just south of Italy (90 minutes by ferry) it packs a lot in for a small
nation of 423,000 people or so. It is one of the smallest nations on earth but one of the most densely populated. English
and Maltese are the official languages so it is really easy to get around.
Perfect weather in November, lots of Italian and Maltese’s cuisine, great wine,
amazing sense of history and lots see and do.
Overall, a really good visit.
Its location in the Med, has seen it ruled by
Phoenicians,
Romans,
Moors,
Normans,
Sicilians,
Spanish,
Knights of St. John,
French and
British.
They believe the earliest settlers were 5200 BC and inhabited ever sense. I
wanted to see it because it was the where the Knights of St. John has their
base during the middle ages. It still has a really incredible medieval feel to
it and it like going back in time. The entire country is hard to describe but
unique to any place where I have been. Highlights were Valletta, Mdina, and
just the country overall.
Driving in this country proved interesting. Right hand
drive, very narrow streets lines with cars, steep inclines with RPM’s reaching
F1 limits with roll backs and the need to park the car flush with the buildings
so other cars can get buy. I actually had to get out of the passenger side a
few times as there was no room to get out on my side which would normally be
your side. No major incidents but unduly stressful at time.
Rome
From Malta it was Rome for a few days and I think this was
third time here. The ISIS fuckers seem
to making the entire world into a police state. There is a heightened since of
security no matter where I go. Armed soldiers, police and surveillance
everywhere.
It never fails to amaze me with its grandeur, history,
sites, vibe and feel. I pretty much spent my time eating, drinking a bit of
wine and during the day I went back to the Vatican, Sistine Chapel and for this
was the first time I went to the St. Peter’s Basilica. Not sure because it is
free to see (it is a church) but the lines ups can be discouraging but it was
not so bad. It was about 40 minutes and most days it can be more than double that.
This is another indescribable event. Of
course, every pope from St. Peter onward has resided here. The opulence (I
think most of it was designed by Michelangelo) richness, history, vastness and
it pretty much archives the history of the world sense the death of Christ. I
am not sure if there is 100% proof that St. Peters remains are here but the
Holy See says it is him and there is a tomb for him so to walk by it was
nothing short of amazing. The artifacts and sepulchers for the medieval popes
were also amazing for me to see as well.
The detail and design of every square inch of the place is
incredible and the artifacts from history are limitless.
If I recall correctly Pope Frankieboy is the 265th
Pope from St. Peter and the historical record keeping within those 2000 years
would be unrivaled. I am sure the Vatican’s dirty secrets are all kept there as
well (follow the money kids, follow the money).
Also so the usual suspects when in Rome (and doing as them
of course) such as the Spanish Steps, Treni Fountain, dodging scooters (but not
this time) and the endless amount of Squares, Statues and Monuments.
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| Catania, Sicily |
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| Catania Outdoor Market |
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| Tin Foil Fish |
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| One legged lunch for some |
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| After Mount Etna Lava Flow |
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| This is not a picture of a picture |
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| Mdina, Matla |
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| Gozo Malta |
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| Now I want a pet owl |
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| Amazing Malta |
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Rome
|
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| Crowds at Treni Fountain |
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| St. Peters Square |
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| Add caption |
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| The Splendor and on the way to the Sistine Chapel |
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| St. Peters Basilica |
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| Line Ups |
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| Swiss Guard and Pope's Private Army |
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| Every Pope from St. Peter onward |
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| The Amazing St. Peters Basilica |
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| Mass |
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| Swiss Guards |
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| Pretty Much any street |
