Living Under a Cloud
Italy (Sicily) Sightseeing in Catania (Sun 3 June 2018 to Tue 5 June 2018)
Weather: 20⁰C min – 32⁰C max, clear and sunny
“A bicycle ride is a flight from sadness.” ~ Unknown
Catching the Trenitalia Regionale Veloce RV3870 at 8:42 am, I arrived at Catania at 10:11 am. No problems with bicycles on the RV trains, in fact there is not even a charge.
The 1 1/2 hour train trip was uneventful until nearing Catania when unexpectedly it appeared … the awesome sight of Mt Etna, with a plume of smoke belching from it’s summit forming a massive cloud and creating a smoky haze for miles around.
You can’t help but feel for Catanians living at the foot of one of the world’s most active volcanoes, not knowing when or if it will blow it’s top again. In the 17th century it happened twice: a massive eruption in 1669 swallowed much of Catania and the subsequent earthquake of 1693 levelled what was left. Imagine how high insurance premiums would be around here!
But as often is the case, there is a silver lining behind every cloud. After the twin tragedies the city was totally rebuilt in splendid baroque style.
Catania has all the chaos, traffic congestion and general decay you’d expect of Sicily’s second-largest city. But if you look beyond the grit and grime you will discover a sophisticated and vibrant city.
The reason I am spending three days in Catania is to give myself every chance to find a suitable cardboard box to pack my bike for the flight to Paris on Wednesday. Today is Sunday so most of the shops are closed, but the day has been enjoyably spent wandering around this interesting old town. Hopefully I can find a box tomorrow, in which case I will be free to do a tour of Mt Etna on Tuesday.
I would definitely recommend the Scirocco Sicilian Fish Lab (at the fish markets) for street food. A huge cone of fresh fried mixed seafood cost only €6.
I hope you enjoyed the rest of your stay in Catania, and that you’ve had a fruitful bike box hunt 🙂 Did you have a ride on that little train? Love the market shots – holy cow – those are some HUGE chunks of parmigiano!!
I have picked up a bike box … relief! Like me it is a bit battered, but will do the job. I am enjoying Catania, but feel a bit uneasy about Mt Etna seething and belching smoke.
Kev you must have been in your element when you see all those cheese. The fruits look amazing. I just love the market. .Did you have a ride on the train? . Hope your back gets better before your next riding venture. Great photos you will have good memories later when you are old and grey!!
Hope all goes well at the air port with your bike box.
Glad you enjoyed Sicily. I fly out on my trip next Tuesday. Looking forward to the Gelato and granita
Sicily was good but Puglia was sensational. Have a good trip. Buon viaggio!