Slowly but surely it is all coming back...all the little things, the ways of planning our time, the things we do impromptu that give us so much joy, the rhythm of being out, taking pictures, processing and doing blog posts...all the things that have made travel such a huge part of our the richness of our life since I transitioned in 2013. Today was like a major marker. It was a day when I felt we had truly thrown off the chains of the pandemic and was doing what we are supposed to be doing in these last years of our life.
Our initial goal was another set of Magna Graecia ruins, the town of Segesta. Unlike others, it was set up by Hellenized locals who were constantly at war with the Greeks during the 5th and 4th century BC. However, when we got there a couple of things kind of leached the enthusiasm.
First, the weather wasn't great. After a series of great luck days with blue skies, we had a grey overcast one which is hardly the best for photography. Then, after most of the time feeling we were beyond the tourist surge, we ran into a flotilla of tourists in RV's and tour buses at this site. WTF! Turns out it is All-Saints Day and a lot of countries in Europe have holidays going on. So a flood of German and French tourists.
We went to first attraction, a temple ( I am SURE you can't wait to see MORE pictures of Greek style temples 🤪). To get to the next attraction, a Greek Theater, was going to require another 20 dollars and a shuttle bus ride. My opinion was we've seen some of the great Greek Theater ruins in the world, we didn't need to pay more for another on a bad picture taking day.
So back to the parking lot we go, pull out the guidebook. Hmm where to next. We considered a few places that were a bit far away. But we settled on another seacoast town, Castellammare del Golfo, that we had seen from an overlook on our way to San Vito Lo Capo. Here we experienced one of those serendipitous experiences we so often have where we are in a nowhere place and something magical happens (see photos below).
Let's take it all in photographically.
La Fotographia
On the Hunt! Our quarry? The elusive Hellenistic Temple!
Shooting these behemoths from afar is not difficult. But to get up close and shoot detail? Ah, Monsieur, that is un autre thing all together.
One must move with great stealth
Don't spook it!
Finally we are there!
And rewarded with our close in shots
(Okay Greek Architecture fans, what kind of capitals are these? Doric, Ionian or Corinthian? Winners get to join de-I on one of his adventures [the one's Wife refuses to go because of the risk])
Then on to Castellammare del Golfo
Ah! The Sicilian seacoast town. How unique. How unlike at least 50% of the posts we have made so far.
Hey! There is a great Arab/Norman for here!
Closed for restoration and covered in scaffolding. How typically de-I experience?
Fishing is a SERIOUS BUSINESS in Sicily
As one can readily see
And laundry? Please, it is de-I shoot. Laundry is de rigeur.
Now things turn in their mysterious way as it so often does for Wife and I
There is a disturbance in the Force. Wife and I go to explore.
And we come upon it!
THE Fabulous Lost Icons of Rotary!
Today's Food - Another day of some good and some not so good.
The bread was way different, hot, and like a pita bread. No one skimps here when you order a glass of house wine. And the white wine is uniformly good.
I had yet another local specialty I had meant to try...couscous with Zuppe de Pesche (fish soup)
All of the seafood was essentially tasteless. But...
The soup which was put over everything was killer!
And let us close with...
...SIGNS OF THE WORLD
CURSE YOU EVIL FOREIGNER! I HEARD THAT LOUD SIGH! NO NOISE!
Tomorrow Wife and I are changing locale and heading to Cefalú where we will be staying in town in an apartment. City living with the ability to walk places is something we are looking forward to. We will be going to Palermo, the greatest city in Sicily, for two days of guided touring. So stay tuned!
2 comments:
Those Rotary tiles are... huh.
I am definitely not entering your column contest. There is too great a chance of winning.
maybe they got kids to do it for you? Such a bummer the food remains inconsistent.
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