Palermo was not my favorite city so far...Venice was so pretty and picturesque and, yeah touristy--but that made it fun! Palermo is not touristy much at all; it's not a huge part of the economy here it seems like. We visited an awesome Norman Palace, and two churches with the cool mosaic designs. But the streets are dirty and crowded, and nightlight doesn't exist much. It's freezing cold and raining too, which doesn't help things. Actually, it snowed for a tiny bit today up on the mountain where we went to lunch.
It's weird being here in Sicily and seeing on CNN news (the one channel in ENglih in our hotel) all the coverage of the revolution in Libya. The mass evacuations of Americans and foreigners is occuring right now, after civil unrest inspired by the recent revolution in Egypt. (By the way, Bruce Fisk told us today that we are still planning on going to Egypt in April, as of right now!) On the CNN maps on TV, Tripoli (the capitol of Libya) is really close to Sicily, only about an hour plane ride probably. World news seems much more relevant, especially European and Middle Eastern events, not that I'm here in the thick of it. I hear things on the news about the French president, and I think--hey, I was just living in France. Or someone mentions the events and Egypt and I go--I'm going there soon! Anyways, I feel more plugged in to world events now that I'm actually out traveling the world and not sitting at home in the Westmont bubble in California every day.
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| The Royal chapel and castle of Palermo |
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| Inside the chapel, showing the golden mosaic style typical of the Byzantine Christian era. |
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| Pizza in Palermo! |
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| Another shot of the mosaic interior |
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| It was snowing, freezing cold, and I was a bit grumpy. Can you tell? |
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| A beautiful view of the city as we drove down the mountain |
I check every day just in case there is something new. Talked to your Mom Friday...found out you had mailed your big coat home. You look so cold in the picture and your umbrella looked so small. I was cold looking at you. Stay well and try to stay warm.
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