HOTEL DELLE TERME Catania

... images section on their homepage. I'm stoked!

But here's the thing I think is coolest. (See photo to the left.) I assumed most of these countries were highlighted because I've been meeting fellow travelers, but then I realized there are some countries here where I haven't met people from. Which means random people in random parts of the ...

... it's definitely, definitely the Sicilian way.

But, all that said, not to be concerned. I am being safe, despite what my tales tell.

Tomorrow I was again hoping to make it to Mt. Etna with one of the many options I had researched, but no luck. It is late tourist season and they needed a group of 10 to go. An hour ago when I called to confirm if it was on, they were only at 6. Bummer. I think I may go to Stromboli instead and see that volcano. Plus, it's not like I was ...

... to provide more perfect service.
In its rooms, many with balconies to admire from useful
Etnea street, you get LCD TV, Wi-Fi
telephone
bathroom, air conditioning, safe, and all accompanied by a
abundant and delicious breakfast.
The staff, a warm and unique hospitality, will welcome the
accommodation and room will be on hand to offer the highest
quality of its services.

La nostra struttura, si trova nella via più
centrale di Catania, la sempre affollata e vivissima Via Etnea, da
alcune delle nostre stanze infatti, è possibile affacciarsi
direttamente sulla tipica movida Catanese, questa posizione rende
facile raggiungere ogni punto di interesse della città, dagli uffici
amministrativi ai locali di maggiore attrazione, alle università ecc ...

... and hopped on the next one going to Taormina. This town feels like it should be perched on a cliff near Napoli on the Amalfi coast. It has just as many tourist but still holds its charm. Once the Byzantine capitol of Sicily it is now a thriving town unlike many others in this region.
We could see the rain clouds blowing in across the face of Mount Etna and decided to call it a day.

Tomorrow we will be in Rome. (Catania to Rome €43.50 each)

... wir sonst bestimmt probleme bekommen im zug und nicht sagen könnten, dass es keine möglichkeit gab um ein ticket zu lösen. So stiegen wir in catania aus und spurteten zum ticket-schalter. Vor mir ein tourist, der die schalterdame fragte, wo man denn bus-tickets kaufen könne. Völlig sauer zeigte die schalter-lady auf die strasse gegenüber und als ich ausser puste an der reihe war mein ticket zu kaufen, fiel die schalterdame in eine laute schimpftirade über die touristen und ...

... zuvor anderen gästen die rucksäcke mit allem drin gestohlen wurden, sodass wir uns nicht zu weit von unseren rucksäcken entfernen wollten.

Am abend hatten wir dafür glück mit dem kleinen restaurant, wo wir für eur 4.50 sehr gute ‚pasta alla norma' essen konnten (leider blieb es unsere letzte wirklich gute restaurant-erfahrung).

Am nächsten tag buchten wir eine exkursion auf den ätna, welche von einem ausgebildeten und akkreditierten ...

The people from Florence are described as "changeable and moody".

Mt. Etna is much the same.

Evolution of the volcano is described as:

“destructive periods, collapses, landslides and subsidences alternate with constructive periods (explosive, pyroclastic activity & emission of lava).”

Much like us people. J

Italians ...

... we were going to do some touring of the catherdrals and stuff but because of the weather we may be going to a shopping mall they have in town. Which sounds perfectly fine with me I do have about 59 euros to use. :) Well, I tried loading the pics and its not working. The internet here is mighty slow it will not load yahoo, myspace, or anything else. ONLY my travelpod blog. :( I am so sad. Well, I love you all with all my heart. I'll be back soon. Love, Cristina

Arrived today to find Catania baking in glorious sunshine after a fantastic jorney in the lap of BA luxury... I just may fly business class more often if I can possibly afford it! Free wine, champagne, good food... What more can you ask? And the greatest thing of all? Within 2 hours I had unpacked everything and felt reasonably at home. Travelling light(ish) is great, huh? So begins nine months of ERASMUS fun! Jai x x x x