Trip to Termini Imerese and Palermo today

First let me say that I did see a cat (or was it a cougar?) and a Miata (funny to see with the ole world building in the background) and missing both of mine. *smile*

Here is my bedroom and note that I have to pull a cord to flush my toilet and if I don't put the lid down it spits water up onto the toilet seat. *smile*

I walked about 1/2 mile to the train station though streets of Cefalu.  The gas station is right one the side of the road and you just pull up next to it and cars have to go around you when you are getting gas - otherwise it's a lane in the road.

No metro in Sicily so I hopped the train for 3.25 euros to Termini Imerese (pronounced tear me knee…imer e c).

I wanted to find the tombstone of my great grandfather but there is no one there who speaks English so I could not even hope to find it. But I did walk the streets and take a few pictures.

You could purchsae pretty much anything from this street vendor who was for the locals...he had cords and cell phone covers and super glue and even a hub cap on his cart. 

This little girl could have been me if my mothers family had not imigrated to the US.

It was pretty “dead” because most shops shut down from 12-3 (as I believe do the schools because all the kids were heading back from Termini via train…like they had gone home from lunch break).

I then took the train to Palermo. 2nd class cost is 3.25 euros as above and is the same as first class in Italy and what is funny is that if you purchase your ticket from the ticket window they charge you for a first class ticket (which might get you on a “reservation train”, but more regional trains run so you would have to wait a long time to get on one…up to 4 hours. So I just purchase my ticket from the self serve machine. Cost from Palermo to Cefalu booked ahead of time on-line was $25 US. Cost using self serve machine was 4.90 euros today when I was heading home and it was as nice of seats as the train I took the other day. LOL  The above little girl was very interested in me for some reason so I winked at her and she winked back and when I blew a bubble she got so excited.  She boarded the train in Termini with her "mama" and waved goodbye to her father.  She also could have been me.

Palermo is more like Rome – lots of shops, some discount. I found the Chinese district and purchased some discount jewelery and visited a park.  The park had a really cool sail that sparkled in the sun as I passed by it in the bus but when returned the sun was not hitting it right to show you the full effect it can have.

Have we talked work ethic and rules?  Well, rules do not apply in Italy.  They drive like crazy men, they park on side walks and in weird places, They move other peoples vespas to make room for their car, and they part on the wrong side of the street face the wrong direction.  As far as work ethics...there are none.  They can make out in front of customers, talk on cell phone, stand outside and smoke, and even the police have cigarettes hanging out of there mouths and cell phones to their ears.  LOL

Here they are selling their appliances (a little small for our taste, on the sidewalk)

Then headed back to Cefalu. I’ve been reading the shack and for people who “think outside the box” it is a GREAT read. I’m enjoying it immensely…not to be confused with Imerese. *smile*

I met up with Angelo for a hot chocolate and he had some milk latte thingy (he would not let me pay). He then paid a man a small amount to play for us and then the waiter told him he couldn't play there so he walked away playing. 

After we were done we walked to a jewelry shop where this lady makes her own jewelry and I purchased a few items that I’d seen the other day (with money from the bank machine as lots of shops do not take visa or mastercard because of the fee they charge the shops).

We then walked to the other side of town to watch the sunset…I mean, go behind the clouds that seem to arrive just at sunset. We sat outside again and I had a rum and coke.  He must had said "lots of rum" when he was talking to the man because he poured 1/2 a tall glass worth as I said enough.  Now that was some drink.  lol He wanted me to have dinner too, but I was full from the Kebab that I had purchased in Palermo. I wish I had taken a picture of the Kebab…it was HUGH for only 3.00 euros and I gave the boy a tip and he was excited that I did that. We met a friend of his along the way and I heard him tell him bella and then wave his arms towards me.

He then walked me back and asked to meet at 5pm tomorrow night. He seems to want to drive me to his orange orchards, but I keep telling him I don’t understand him. I’m sure it would be OK, but I’m not getting in a car with someone I don’t know even an 80 something man. LOL My mother would kill me saying didn’t I raise you better then that…right mother. *smile* 

As night falls on the city another day of safe adventures is over. Tomorrow, if it’s not raining I will climb the mountain…but first I’ll sleep in for strength…and because I can since I’m on vacation. Golfing withdrawls are starting to occur. After jet lag wears off, and it’s a nice day in Oregon, I will need to indulge in a round of golf.  Night all!  Time to get some sleep for tomorrow's adventure hike to the top of the world...well at least of Cefalu.