Hard to believe that our trip is almost at an end. Ready to be getting back to my own bed! But there be more touring to be done matey! So move on out!
I gave the required de-I rant on over touristed, A-List, Taormina yesterday. Today we went in the opposite direction and headed to a small town that retains much of its Medieval feel, Castiglione di Sicilia. Okay, to be truthful, there are probably 5,000 towns in Italy that maintain much of their Medieval feel. But this is one that is only 43 minutes from us. We has some angst on whether to even go. Each day we look at the predicted weather, and each day it is showing near 100% chance of rain and thunderstorms. Yet very frequently that is not the case. I was having a bit of angst as to weather I wanted to brave the narrow, twisting mountain roads in a massive rainstorm. But in the end, I didn't want to sit around in our condo all day. So off we went.
As it turned out, the road there was not that bad at all. Or maybe I am just getting used to the roads. Some of each. We went through a few towns and they are always a bit stressful because of the narrow roads, cars coming of nowhere because of blind corners, people just crossing the street. The worst is when you are navigating a narrowness of the road because of someone parked sticking out into the road, you adjust as a different car pulls out of a side street AND someone else is crossing the road. I had the great luck to find a place to park quickly.
You could really tell this is 'off-season'. I think we saw 8 other tourists in the town with us. However, this is the kind of place Wife and I love. We find the opportunity for photographic exploration much greater and you are not dealing with the masses of people. So without further ado, on to the pictures.
Entering into the town and making our way up to the oldest section with the churches and castle
This is a town that has seen better days
Even the local police have seen better days
Yet, like all of Italy, fashion and style are to be appreciated
Churches (mostly from the 16th & 17th century) and other old buildings
Photographer Photos
Noon
Playing around photographically
Heading into the castle
At the very top of the castle, that seems totally abandoned, is (of all things) an art exhibit of a local, self-trained painter!
View from the castle
Finally - SIGNS OF THE WORLD
There may be a ton of construction but damn it, you still need to wash your hands!
2 comments:
There must be video games that simulate driving on mountainous roads to keep you in practice. 3a could probably set you up with them.
I find it hard to reconcile what the locals say about it not raining usually and all that moss everywhere.
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