25th May - Another day in Palermo

We decide to delete a day trip to Cefulu from our itinerary - we have seen enough seaside and nice towns for this trip. 

We head down to the port through narrow lanes - they are quite and yet to be renovated - we wonder? - who owns the old apartments - they must now be rich at least on paper - the unpunished and now retired members of the Mafia?

We reach the port - runners - working boat after working boat - pleasure craft - we photograph Falcone looking down on the working craft!

We return back past the church - men in their sunday best stand outside - I guess they have been to mass even though mass is still going on!

We return to the square - down our lane - it is virtually empty - the street food places are just starting to open - we take a table - order - we wait sipping a cappuccino until set up is complete and the kitchen is open.

It is 11:00 - suddenly the laneway is alive - people - singles - couples - small group - everywhere - the occasional tour group - Palermo is open for business and the bells are summonsing people for 11am Mass.

Our siscilian sandwiches arrive - mine a bun filled with potato fritters and fried cheeses - "a local street food" says the server - I liked it! 

We return up the lane past the street vendor stalls - a replacement gardening hat for me - colorful and emblazoned with the word "Siscilia" - it will be a nice reminder of our time in Palermo.

Bernie retires hurt - she will return to continue her innings a little later! 

I wander up Via Roma and turn up the narrow Via Vittoria Emanuele - initially it is full of pedestrians - then it becomes packed with pedestrians - some locals - many tourists.

The former glory of Palermo is on full display - I have to photograph the Mercurio Building - it has style! 

I look at Fontana Pretoria and unsuccessfully try to capture it in a panorama.

I pause at the crossroads - there are people everywhere - everyone with cameras - most looking up - some dancing to the street band - some just admiring the buildings - save for the dancing I was a tourist doing what all tourists have been told to do - doing what Google told us we must do when in Palermo!

I am even boring myself when I say again that the buildings of old Palermo are a stunning tribute to it's glory days! 

I wander on - I come to the "No Mafia" memorial display - I leave with an eye irritation - the photographs and the stories of the judiciary and city officials who died at the hands of the Mafia - frighting! - a cause for reflection! - a cause for admiration of amazing courage! - a stunning commitment to fellow human beings.

As I wander back - I smile again - three kfc staff members walk out of their shop - they  walk into the cafe next door for their lunch - a definite comment on product quality!!!

Back home to share the photographs with Bernie!

Time for drinks - grappa Blanco and lemonchello spritz - the grappa is grappa in the truest sense - "what have I done here"  thinks I - I becomes quickly accustomed - I enjoys!

We sit and watch and comment to each other on every individual that passes - our comments mostly complementary - those that are not are usually related  to females who have neglected to take a look a hard look in the mirror before they ventured out!

We watch the pigeons at our feet - we watch the children chasing them - we photograph one on the upturned hand of the statue in center of the Piazza. 

We return to Tony and Alex at Il Cambusone - they and their wives - the best hosts we have ever encountered - their trattoria tucked away behind Piazza S.Dominico - Mussel soup - Bolognese - Chardonnay - Mandarin sorbet - the formers all great - the latter superb!

We rise to leave -  arms are offered to assist Bernie - smiles and thank-you's - these people will be successful!

We agree - old town Palermo is a delight!!!