Day 9 (Nov 2nd)

If you forgot where we left off, click the Sicily 2008 label tag in the right column.

Well, they shut off those bells early, but they also start ringing early. I was woken up at 7am with them clanging. I figured out the 15 min system though. There are two different sounding bells that ring. One tells you the hour, for example, 7 clongs (insert bell sound) would mean 7 o'clock (duh), then the second sound, lets call it a cling, tells you the 15 min increment. 1 cling = 15, 2 clings = 30, and 3 clings = 45 min. So here is a test for you.

Clong, Clong, Clong, Clong, Clong, Clong, Clong, Clong, Cling, Cling = ___:___
Leave a comment with your answer.

Since I was up, and figured if I went back to sleep, I'd have 14 minutes til I woke up again, I jumped in the closet shower. I saw that, because I had to practically crouch to fit in there. (Jerry, JERRY, stop picturing me nekid, perv) I have never understood that whole thing here. This is my third trip, and I can count the number of beds/bathrooms I fit in. I don't think I'm really that tall. 6' is not like circus show tall. The majority of places we have stayed at, don't even have stand up showers. In Ventimiglia, I had to sit in a tub, with my knees almost in my chest, then use a spray nozzle to 'shower'.

Anyway, I cleaned up, and left the room. The bar I had dinner at the night before was apparently closed today, so I found another one, grabbed a coke, and something resembling a doughnut. I took my time, watching the locals start their day, and then headed down to the beach.

I spent a few hours reading, and people watching, then made the hike back to the piazza. I say hike because the genius I am, I picked maybe the steepest road in town to walk back up. It had gotten pretty warm, so I wasn't sure I wanted to make another climb up to the ruins above the town. I didn't bring enough clothes to get sweaty, and I wasn't in the mood to try and find a way to get them washed while alone in a foreign country that I don't speak the language in. I went through the church on the way back.

It was about lunchtime, so I found a place to eat. It wasn't too difficult, it was right in front of the church. I ordered a grilled chicken dish, which they served with french fries. Since it was Sunday, and about breaktime, most everything was closed, or closing down until later in the day. I think I mentioned before in Italy they have their own version of a siesta. I sat there, pretty much the only person at the whole outdoor seating area, and realized I wanted my won bed, some McDonalds, and most importantly, my dogs snoring in the background. Don't get me wrong, I love the food in Italy, in fact, back home I probably gobble down antacids like they are tic tacs, and I absolutely love to travel. I guess I miss the simplicity of going through a drive-thru, instead of the hoops of finding an English speaking restaurant.

I wandered around town for awhile, before I went back to my room. I spent most of the night reading, and writing. Tomorrow, after I shower, and settle my room bill, I will have to find my way back to the train station. There I will catch the 11:20 train to Messina, then transfer to another train that will take me to Taormina. Once I get to Taormina, I'll have to find a way into town, and my next hotel.

ciao!