Ortigia, Sicily

In the category of “you learn something new every time you travel”, we learned that one additional check to make before finalizing a visit or stay, is if there is a major event happening there during your stay.

For our stay, the G7 Agriculture and Fisheries Expo has taken over our little town, complete with suited agents and their earpieces.

So arrival in our big, red SUV was fun (not) and included a stray into the ZTL – traffic limited zone – where (according to our host) we got a ticket already. Which will reach us eventually, through the rental company. Another new experience.

We dropped Mike and Joan off outside our apartment door (since we already had the ticket), and Don and I headed back out of the restricted zone to find parking. Way out. So far out, that we found a free place to park. Except for the rough looking gypsy, who was taking a couple of euros from each group, for pointing out a space. I asked the nice Italian lady with a little girl who was also parking there if it was “free” and she said, yes, but just give him one or two euros, which she also did. So I did too and he was happy with that.

And it’s right around the corner from the police station, so should be a-okay.

Today on our tour of the sites, we are going to check on our car and if it is still there, and intact, Don (and the rest of us) will breath a sigh of relief.

There is a great view of the Temple of Apollo from our apartment balcony.

Then it was off to do a little wandering and find a place for dinner. This quest usually takes us to interesting places. On the way we saw a horse riding display.

It has taken us a bit to get used to the more gritty nature of Sicily. It is beautiful in its own way, and totally different to Tuscany and more northern areas of Italy that we have visited.

But I think we may be falling in love, just a little bit . . .

Dinner was a quick affair for us tired travellers and then this morning Joan led us on Rick Steves’ walking tour of Ortigia. Complete with a few wrong turns, we found our way to all the major sites, and a few minor ones too.

We even found the Duomo – quite by accident.

This is Santa Lucia – those are her eyeballs in the chalice. Joan and I learned that by eavesdropping on the English speaking tour guide standing in the pew behind us. Completely by accident.

There are different columns from different time periods. The oldest being the Ancient Greek columns you see here. I think she said that this was the oldest Greek temple still in daily use as a place of worship.

Then it was on to continue our wandering.

The Castello was not open to mere tourists today – something to do with G7 delegates only. This next shot gives you an idea of the polizia presence. They are everywhere, just standing around mostly, waiting for something to happen. Which hasn’t yet – anywhere we have been.

The Nonnas have made the most gorgeous street decorations:

This was pretty much the exact spot that Don decided he needed a drink and a sit. So we did that, and also had our first Sicilian Arancini – with Ragu. It was delicious.