Sicily is an island of 6 million people and just four miles across from the mainland of Italy. The day was brilliant sunshine and warm once again. Being Sunday, the streets were deserted and the shops closed. We joined a private tour in a convoy of three vans and headed out of the city to the countryside. Stopping along the way (for a delicious chocolate croissant!) we could see Mt. Etna in the distance, spewing a white cloud of smoke. Our driver told us that last night, fire was seen coming from the top, and lava was pouring down the sides – the first time in three years! Our next stop was a village (Taormina) perched on the very top of a mountain. It was filled with Italian families out for a stroll. One could see it was a fancy retreat – with expensive shops lining the streets. We walked into a number of squares, flanked by churches, where everyone gathered for a Sunday stroll. From here we drove up a winding road and climbed 7,000 feet to the foot of the volcano. Along the way, we could hear sand hitting the roof of the car – it was debris coming from the volcano! When we got out for a picture, we could hear the roar from the eruption – pretty scary! We could see where the lava had flowed to in 1983, 2000 and most recently, 2003. (This is a picture of a house buried in the last eruption.) A cable car takes visitors right to the cone. A chairlift even takes skiers up in the winter – amazing. But with no time for such danger, we headed back to the ship. Hundreds were strolling on the port promenade waiting for this tiny dock’s first ship departure of the season. While Michael Corleone introduced us to Sicily, we leave with a better understanding of this drop of land off the boot of Italy. Ciao!
“Man should forget his anger before he lies down to sleep”- Mohandas Gandhi
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