A trip to downtown Catania...

Trip Start Aug 04, 2008

Trip End Aug 19, 2008

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Where I stayed

Joe's Apt

(Catania hotels)

Flag of Italy Catania, Italy
Wednesday, August 6, 2008

So, woke up BRIGHT and early (5am to be exact) which is a clear indication that I am definitely still adjusting to jetlag...it's nice that Joe kinda wakes up really early 'cause he made espresso and we had it while the sun rose and freshly-baked pastries all with the amazing view from his kitchen balcony! Unfortunately, he had to leave for work at 6am and so after many many hours of Ugly Betty, 3 hour naps, a shower, and an attempt to read, Joe came back from work and we headed to downtown Catania for dinner.

Sicily has not been quite the image of "Italy" that I had expected. I suppose my only real exposure to Europe has been Paris and Sicily is definitely not anything like Paris. It really resembles a more rural/uban Taiwan than an European city. Lots of roundabouts in the city and you can definitely get a sense of the lack of economic resources in most of the city, even though this is supposed to be the 2nd largest city on the island

"Is that a Simpson's quote?"

.

We parked near this bridge near the water and had to pay this guy 2 Euros as "protection" so that he wouldn't bash/break into the car. Apparently, that's what you do here. Another one of those things that I don't think a regular tourist would've known to do!

We walked around the main square, saw the "Elephant," a really pretty church, the university buildings, and the Duffy-Simpsons Bar (haha).

Had dinner at this cute outdoor place...and had another caprese salad and this pasta with garlic and pepperchini oil...which is totally not the same as what pepperochinis are in the States! It was definitely good and had a certain never-ending aspect to it because no matter how much I ate the plate still was about the same amount, if not more! Still working on my theory that I don't get sick/drunk off European wine...day 2 of that test...so far so good! Which is definitely a good thing since I really don't want to be sick at all during the trip.