12 April 2017
Back to Catania, where we began a week ago flying in from Rota, Spain (Hanna from Malaga). Hanna's Spring Break comes to an end and she'll fly out in the evening, but before then she joined us on the city tour of Catania.
Below is Castello Ursino, which once guarded the city from the 13th century, on a seaside cliff. In 1669 an eruption of Mt. Etna swept lava through and the castle became landlocked - see the lava stone outside the castle walls.
Below is Castello Ursino, which once guarded the city from the 13th century, on a seaside cliff. In 1669 an eruption of Mt. Etna swept lava through and the castle became landlocked - see the lava stone outside the castle walls.
Fountain placed on top of a city stream - a block from our apartment. The fountain is also at the corner of Piazza del Duomo (Church Plaza) - shown below featuring Hanna enjoying the scenery. See the elephant, made of lava rock, dating from Roman times, with an Egyptian obelisk on top.
Walking the city tour - massive architecture surrounds. Elegant carriage on display from the 18th century.
Back to Piazza Duomo - Gerri reading to us on the city tour. On the right, Cathedral di Sant'Agata.
To the left, a picturesque statue - with tourists trying to figure where they are, or where they're going.
And now to the right, a story here. Does Hanna look guilty, embarrassed, shocked, or just smiling from new knowledge? She'd become curious and entered a little stand-alone armoire looking closet, with kneeling shelves on either side, closing the curtain behind her. A church elder prompted her to exit, and whispered in rapid fire Italian, maybe something to the effect of "this is not a private internet roost". We were too far away to help her, but turned around wondering where she disappeared in time to witness the scolding, and even a picture of the event would seem somehow disrespectful. Anyways, I don't think Hanna presided over anymore confessions today.
And now to the right, a story here. Does Hanna look guilty, embarrassed, shocked, or just smiling from new knowledge? She'd become curious and entered a little stand-alone armoire looking closet, with kneeling shelves on either side, closing the curtain behind her. A church elder prompted her to exit, and whispered in rapid fire Italian, maybe something to the effect of "this is not a private internet roost". We were too far away to help her, but turned around wondering where she disappeared in time to witness the scolding, and even a picture of the event would seem somehow disrespectful. Anyways, I don't think Hanna presided over anymore confessions today.
Anti-terrorism presence has been evident throughout our touring, especially at areas where tourists congregate.
Smashing Pumpkin's "Cherub Rock" or Nirvana's "Nevermind", you decide.