After taking the train out to the airport to collect our rental car; which was the exact vehicle reserved for a change, we headed to Syracuse to check out the Greek, Roman, Moorish, and earlier ruins. The highway stop for coffee was surprisingly good, which we later discovered to be true throughout Italy. We picked up the requisite gummies for Dan as well as a gigantic tin of potato chips which crowded the back seat between Suz and I for days.
As we arrived in Syracuse it started to rain, and we had failed to bring along any of our rain gear that day. To add to the confusion, I managed to purchase 2 parking tickets in error. Luckily for me I found an English couple who were just arriving and they took the surplus off my hands and restored my wallet! From the parking we walked over to the island of Ortygia in Syracuse. We visited several sites including The Temple of Apollo, Arethusa Spring, Castello Maniace, Duomo di Syracusa (Cathedral of Syracuse) and the Church of Santa Lucia alla Badia (Church with the burial of St. Lucia, the patron saint of Syracuse). All were amazing, especially the castello with it’s art exhibit, In a Perfect World. Sculptor Davide Dall’Osso created exhibits showing the strength and fragility of women by using ballet to depict a world where gender equality is finally possible. The castle itself was a fortress shaped to follow the contours of the outcrop it was built on. The angles and arches made for intriguing shapes, and the skies above added to the ambiance.
While it poured rain off and on during the day, we managed to avoid most of it. We enjoyed a very tasty poke bowl sitting sheltered in a restaurant canopy during one downpour. On another we sheltered in the vestibule of a church while a street seller tried to convince us that we needed an umberella.
Again on this trip, Dan was our dedicated driver. And driving in Italy is hairy – they love to pass and cut right back in, inches in front of you. We were very fortunate to have Driver Dan and Sherpa Doug (his carrying feats are unmatched, particularly on behalf of Lucy!) on the trip. Parking back at the BnB proved a challenge as the public parking was closed, and the rental agency had highly recommended NOT to use street parking due to theft and vandalism. So we parked ‘under’ the apartment as suggested – in the entranceway of the condo building which was more like a tight garage.
Dinner hit the spot with the sought after arancini (rice balls). Michael found us Arancini Manu which was highly recommended and despite the sketchy walk to get there it was well worth it. I had potato puree, cheese and ham, Michael had spicy veg. For dessert we had perfect, freshly filled, cannoli. I had ricotta, Mike pistachio; both trimmed with fresh ground pistachio. Dan & Suz skipped the canolli and opted instead for….. you guessed it…. gelato!
Back at the BnB our car was still safely stored and the hukkah bar had once again taken over the plaza in front of our condo building with their tables and the pounding music had resumed. Our biggest hope being that the tables would be cleared by morning when we wanted to get our car out….
