EUROPEON ADVENTURES with Kyla: Winding down the trip

Wow – only one more day of my adventure in Pompeii tomorrow. I fly out at 8:30, need to be at airport by 7:15 so I have a 6:45 taxi coming for 20 euro’s (airport is about 10 miles away, but no busses running that early I’ve been told). First taxi on whole trip…I’ve done pretty well to save money by hauling my luggage miles (it seems like).

I actually rode 1st class in Sicily (pretty lonely…lol) I think there were two of us on the first class coach car and we were in separate compartments. Cost was 13 euros. I read the whole way. Here is my new place and some of the views. This place is between a bed and breakfast and a hotel. I even have a mini bar. There's a kitchen we all share and it's stocked with fruit, breakfast cakes, yogert, breads and jams.

Catania is very modern and not very touristy. There are a LOT of people on the streets during 4-8. No “booths” selling to tourists. I did find a 30 min open air tour bus for 5 euros and took that just to relax and learn a little about the city.

Below - the courts - The lady statue is the judge holding two men in her hands to signifiy right and wrong, good and bad among men,

Here is what is left of their Coluseum.

Then I walked to a castle which it is now used for a museum of musical instuments and paintings (free due to culture week).

Toilets are getting worse as the trip goes on...or is it just my imagination

or the castles old toilet -*smile*Saw the Elephant statue which represents Catania.

Visted a few Churches where God brought me to meet two young girls from New Jersey. One had lost her passport earlier today so I hung with them for a while and then told them I’d keep them in my payers regarding her passport turning up on the ferry tomorrow. They are med students doing an internship in Milan and then on vacation to Sicily for a few days. They were 26 and 28 and looked 23 or 24. It was nice to talk with someone who was from the US. I know it sounds strange, but being here by myself, it was a gift from God.

This alter had a seat for "Jesus" for when he comes back I assume and a crown waiting just above the seat.

This pub was on a side street so I decided to just take a picture of their sign and now wander in to check it out more.

Beautiful buildings and fountains dotted the landscape.

And to remind you how lax people take their jobs - here is a polizia getting some cash out, his car is in the foreground. When you see them drive by they are smoking, laughing, not r4eally payin attention to anyone. I was told about 40% of the poplution work for the state in police services in Sicily. There are LOTs of them, driving, walking, everywhere. Just not sure how safe they make me feel since they don't really pay much attention

And for Scott...I actually found a funeral home for you...Check out their hurst...now that's modern...

The blue casket has a picture of Jesus on the front (life size almost).

The police and the military seemed to both think there were needed for towing this car away...maybe they thought there was a bomb inside it. Then the would have needed the above hurst - but then why standing so close to it? Eventually the tow truck did tow it. Firs time I've seen anything enforced in Sicily. LOL

And then there was the outdoor market that they were just closing when I arrived on the scene. Looked appetizing...what's for dinner mom? You should have seen how they cleaned the dishes and bowls in yucky water afterwards. Ugh.