Sunday, July 29, 2012

Taormina

After a week of INDOC classes, we were ready to get out and explore Italy!  We decided to head up to Taormina, which is about an hour drive from Sigonella.  For the most part, the driving was no different than home.  Until we hit the toll road.  There were about 3 lanes leading to the booth to get the ticket, much like the NYS thruway.  Unlike the NYS thruway, those 3 suggested lanes turned into at least 5 lanes and people were just jumping in where ever they could and everyone just let each other cut in, no road rage.  I considered getting a picture, but we were so close to the people on either side, I felt kind of funny.  Along the way we passed Catania.



Some horses on the overpass....


And a mall...

I am sure we will be checking out the mall in the near future =)




The city up on the hill is where we were headed.


There were several tunnels we had to go through along the way.

That road jutting out from the mountain is the way to Taormina, yuck!  However, we had to park at a garage before that point and jump on a bus to go the rest of the way.  The roads in the city are very narrow, and have a lot of pedestrian traffic.  At times it was hard to believe that where we walked was actually a road, until a vespa or car came down the middle, clearing the walkers to the side.

This was right after we got off the bus.  Through that arch is a beautiful street lined with shops and trattorias, as well as plenty of places to get some gelato!  It is a very touristy area.


This is a vendor with fresh produce in the truck.

Me and Mike, looking up one of the little streets.

 Some familiar sites, Bennetton above and of course, Coke.  The soft drinks in Italy are made with real sugar, not corn syrup, so they have a sweeter and almost a lighter texture to them.  It is hard to explain, but there is a definite difference.

Mike and the kids with the Ionian Sea in the background.

This is what they were facing in the previous picture.


A fountain on one of the side streets.



It was a hot day, and walking up hills and steps made some of us a little cranky.  So we stopped and got a drink.



Shortly after the drink stop, we got a snack.

Sam got the Sicilian pizza with salame.  We learned in our INDOC class that if we order a pepperoni pizza we will get a very nice pizza, with peppers.  So I don't think Sam will be having a pepperoni pizza while she is in Italy.  Tommy got a simple cheese pizza, and Mike and I shared the cone shaped fried snack.  It is an authentic Sicilian snack called Focaccia Salame.

Inside there is rice, meat of some sort, peas, and tomato sauce.  It was very rich and very good.

As we sat and ate our snack,  a car drove by.  You can kind of tell how narrow the roads were from this picture.



The next several pictures are from the Greek amphitheater 







They actually have concerts in here.  Right now there is a stage set up for an orchestra.  Recently Sting did a concert there.  Tommy has made it a goal to go to a concert there before we leave.




Here are some sites walking back down to the bus stop....





Along the walk back down, we stopped for some gelato and granite (granita), which is kind of like Italian Ice, but soooo much better!


These are the granite selections.  I had lemon, yum!


Above and below are the gelato selections.  I think Mike and the kids all had chocolate chip, also yummy!




The last set of stairs to the bus stop.


That sums up our day in Taormina.  We will definitely be back as we just did a walk through, and there is a castle even further up the hill that we want to see.

Some of you have told me you are having issues with commenting.  I have no idea how to fix that, but I will see if there is anything I can do!






5 comments:

  1. Looks like a lot of fun and a lot of eating! We atenenjoying the pictures and the updates! Sounds like you are learning some Italian already too!

    Love you all! Trish

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    Replies
    1. Trying to learn Italian. Fortunately most people speak a little English, too!

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  2. Your new home looks amazing. I can't wait to visit and by then you will be a pro with all of the hot spots for food and drinks!

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  3. It is pretty Amazing, Kelly! Can't wait for you to visit!

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  4. Catching up on your Blog, Dr. Cindyoni. :-) Great narrative!

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