10/14 Siracusa – Be Back Whenever

Sicily is an island – check. Sicily has LOTS of cactus (prickly pear, cholla) growing – check. So what’s the climate like?? The island would make you think humid and the cactus makes me think dry. You are correct on both counts. The land is pretty dry, supporting the cactus, but lots of citrus orchards dot the island. The air on the other hand is quite humid, at least by Colorado standards.

We’ve had great weather with very little rain, lots of sun, and some major wind thrown in. My hair has been pulled up many days because the air is so humid that when we’re in the sun, my hair is wet from all the sweat! I’ve given up on curling the hair and just use tons of hair spray to keep it out of my face!

We spent 5 nights in Siracusa, staying on the island of Ortygia. At this time of year, abundant tour groups appeared every day in the narrow streets. By night, we had the streets pretty much to ourselves and were on a first name basis with the owner of Gusto, a gelateria!

View from our apartment in the Jewish Quarter of Ortygia.

Greek walls in Duomo walls — The duomo was built on the site of a Greek/Roman temple and incorporates the columns into the church walls.

A column or two are visible on the outside of the Duomo.

In contrast to the Duomo, this Basilica was built to our Lady of Lacrime in the 1990’s, I think. This pointy roof is visible from all over the city.

The archaeological park is the big attraction in Siracusa with a Roman theatre and a Greek theatre (this one). We wandered all over, up and down, waiting for the rain to come. The sky looks blue here but it quickly turned to black!

The day at the Greek theater Garmin told me I walked 37 flights of steps!

This board is the Funeral announcement board for Funeral masses and memorial commemorations.

As far we can tell, Michelin is a sponsor of this church – maybe some renovations??

Susan holding a wine galss. — I needed some prosecco after we got caught in a rain storm!