We gained an hour with the time change and were up early to check out and catch a train to Cefalu, a medieval town about an hour outside Palermo.
We will explore, have lunch (can't miss a meal), and then head back to Palermo to meet up with our tour at our new hotel to begin our next adventure of traveling around Sicily seeing all the historic sights.
I am writing this on the train while Mark is snoozing again. It's like he is a baby in a car seat. You get him in a moving vehicle and he is out.
We are back on the train now, earlier than planned. Cefalu was really nice but a bit touristy. First bad meal I have had was tasted but not eaten here. Spinach lasagne. Yuck. But the square we sat in right outside the church was charming. We enjoyed walking around in this warm day. There were people in the beach and in the water. Cute little fishing boats and a small little town under a big mountain.
When we arrived, there was a big go cart race going on with all the locals lined up watching it. The town has a beautiful coastline and small winding cobblestone streets.
Train action: while checking tickets next to us the conductor came across a guy that didn't have a ticket. He blew right by him, past us, and locked himself in the bathroom.
The conductor stopped the train in the middle of the tracks and unlocked the bathroom door from the outside after the guy refused to come out.
The guy ended up paying and stayed on. Had to wake Mark up for this one.
Oh my, now another guy with a puppy locked himself in the bathroom. The conductor had to unlock the door again after the guy wouldn't open. He came out and paid his fare. Looked like he had a joint in his mouth. Feeling glad this is the only local train we are taking this trip. Oh wait, we will do one train in Paris going to Versailles.
So we get off the train and start on our next journey to see where Marks grandparents, mother and aunt lived during the war.
The area around the train station is pretty dirty and kind of scary. When we finally arrived at the area that was our destination we were rewarded with a pleasant walk in Vittori.
We stopped at the building where they used to live and the place were Mark's grandfather was stationed. Mark attempted to speak Italian to the officers guarding the place and they appeared to be amused but wouldn't let us in. Ya think?
From there our walk brought us by the Palermo Cathedral. I was disappointed we didn't have time to climb to the top for the view.
I find the Italians to be so social. Out with family and friends taking strolls and sitting at the cafes talking. They close off some of the street and turn them into pedestrian only. I had to laugh thinking of Ashley and Scott's description of how the groups don't move out of your way when walking 5 people wide. We found that to be true today.
Listening to music at an outdoor cafe now waiting to go retrieve our luggage and check into our new hotel.
Okay, at our new hotel now and getting settled before dinner
Ciao
I am writing this without proofing and I apologize for all the errors in advance ;)
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